“Think of a desert: It looks barren — but a little bit of water completely changes everything. That's a nice metaphor for what we are trying to do — be that little bit of change, the one drop of water that makes all the difference.”
— Rabbi Michael Cohen, co-founder of the Green Zionist Alliance
Israel and the Zionist movement have succeeded in many ways beyond our wildest expectations. Israel has become a robust country with a unique cultural life. However, its success also has produced a litany of serious and life-threatening environmental problems. We are here to help bring about positive change. We are here to help green Israel.
Our Mission
The Green Zionist Alliance, a North America-based 501(c)3 nonprofit, offers a place for all people — regardless of political or religious affiliation — who care about humanity's responsibility to preserve the Earth and the special responsibility of the Jewish people to preserve the ecology of Israel. The GZA works to educate and mobilize people around the world for Israel’s environment; to protect Israel's environment and support its environmental movement; to improve environmental practices within the World Zionist Organization and its constituent agencies; and to inspire people to work for positive change. By focusing on the environment while working from a pluralistic and multicultural base, the Green Zionist Alliance seeks to bridge the differences between and within religions and people — helping to build a peaceful and sustainable future for Israel and the Middle East.
Who We Are
Our members, volunteers and leaders come from across the political and religious spectra. We care deeply about the country, the people and the land of Israel, and we are dedicated to working toward a sustainable future. We work closely with a broad coalition of Jewish and environmental organizations and leaders in Israel and around the world to ensure that our policies complement local initiatives.
The Green Zionist Alliance was founded in 2001 primarily by Dr. Alon Tal, Rabbi Michael Cohen and Dr. Eilon Schwartz, along with many other volunteers, including Alison Hill and current GZA leader David Krantz. In 2006 the GZA incorporated as a 501(c)3 nonprofit.
What We Do
Educate within the Diaspora about Israel's environment and the Israeli environmental movement, through educational programming and resources for individuals, schools, and community groups, including:
The environmental speakers bureau, providing experts available to speak on many eco-Jewish and Israeli environmental topics;
Disseminate environmental information to expand interest among a growing community of Jews concerned about the environment in Israel and the Middle East;
Work with Zionist organizations and world Zionist federations to raise environmental awareness and integrate environmental concerns into their missions and platforms;
"This 'last chance' to preserve a healthy Promised Land for posterity is a weighty privilege indeed. Surely, as it writes the next chapters in its environmental history, Israel will once again choose life."
- Dr. Alon Tal
Did You Know?
60% of Israel's nature reserves are smaller than 1 square kilometer.
The Green Zionist Alliance is classified by the IRS as a tax-exempt nonprofit organization under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3).
GreenZionism.org is a carbon-neutral website hosted by DreamHost and is best viewed in Firefox.
GreenZionism.org is compatible with assistive-technology software for individuals with physical disabilities.
Banner images of Israel by Chanan Getraide. GZA logos by David Krantz. Green Zionist Alliance™, The Grassroots Campaign for a Sustainable Israel™, Green Zionism™, Green Israel™ and Green Israel Summit™ are trademarks of the Green Zionist Alliance. The eSSENTIAL Accessibility logo is a registered trademark of eSSENTIAL Accessibility Inc.