First Alona Vardi Environmental Awards Bestowed at Knesset Ceremony
As part of its celebrations of World Environment Day, the Knesset yesterday held a special ceremony in memory of a special person. Six teachers and their students were honored for their work to promote environmental justice in communities throughout the country. They were the first recipients of the Alona Vardi Environmental Award, created by Shatil and Alona's family together with NIF and the Green Environment Fund. Alona Vardi, a pioneering leader of Israel's environmental movement, initiated Shatil's Environmental Justice Project 13 years ago. She died two years ago at the age of 50, after battling cancer.
In the moving ceremony, Knesset Education and Culture Committee Chair Rabbi Michael Melchior presided over the granting of the awards. The award aims to promote Vardi's vision of an active citizenry that promotes environmental justice, including education about the relationship between democracy and the environment and the development of a critical social and environmental consciousness. The first winners of the NIS 5,000 scholarship are Nava Mark, a teacher in the Democratic School in Kfar Saba who led the community in rehabilitating a eucalyptus grove and Fadua Abd AlRahman, who led a campaign against asbestos in her school, Alsalem Elementary, in Majd El Krum. Four additional teachers received NIS 1,000 awards in recognition of their contribution to the field.
The room at the Knesset where the ceremony was held was overflowing. In addition to MK Melchior, also Knesset members Dov Chenin and Hannan Sweid were present and spoke movingly about Alona and the wonderful work of the schools and teachers recognized. Environmental activists from throughout the country filled the room - confirming as Rabbi Melchior stated "Alona empowered people, she was a central figure in Israel in establishing the environmental movement. Her legacy can be felt here today". (Please see the accompanying article that brings this legacy to life). However, the most amazing part of the ceremony was the presence of dozens and dozens of kids from the schools that received awards. To hear Omer, a 10 year old from the Kfar Saba Democractic School speak about the importance of environmental activism, of lobbying municipal representatives, of joint living and clean air...was simply unbelievable. And when 11 year old Jamal from the Alsalem Elementary school spoke about how she now brings environmental sensitivity and awareness to her home and community....one simply had to feel that there is hope!
