Lotan, Israel



Kibbutz Lotan (לוֹטָן) is a Reform kibbutz in southern Israel. Located in the Arabah Valley in the Negev desert, it falls under the jurisdiction of Hevel Eilot Regional Council. In it had a population of. The kibbutz is a member of the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism and the Global Ecovillage Network.

History
The kibbutz was founded in 1983 by idealistic Israeli and American youths who together built a profit sharing community based on pluralistic, egalitarian and creative Jewish values while protecting the environment. The name of the kibbutz derives from "one of the sons of Seir the Horite". (a descendant of Esau, who lived in Edom nearby).

Economy
Income is generated by growing Medjool and Dekel Noir dates, dairy cows for milk and goats for cheese production, member's incomes from work throughout the region and ecotourism including birdwatching and holistic health – in particular watsu – water shiatsu – treatments and courses.

The kibbutz's Center for Creative Ecology is an environmental education, research and conservation institution. The Center offers academic programs in conjunction with the University of Massachusetts Amherst and certification courses in permaculture, sustainable design and training. Facilities include an interactive park for organic and urban agriculture, natural building and solar energy demonstrations as well as the energy-efficient EcoCampus, a neighborhood constructed from earth-plastered straw bales.