Building a Greener Future: Youth Across Israel Take Action for the Environment

As Tu B’Shvat approaches, thousands of Jewish, Arab, and Druze youth across Israel are coming together—not just to celebrate the holiday, but to take real action for the environment. Through hands-on projects, workshops, and local initiatives, young people from HaNoar HaOved VeHaLomed (NOAL), Dror Israel’s associated youth movement, are learning about sustainability and making a tangible impact on their surroundings.

The sustainability education center will be a hub for innovative environmental programs.

This year’s environmental programming kicked off with the launch of the new Sustainability Education Center, a unique initiative created in partnership with the Herzliya Municipality, the Ministry of Environmental Protection, and the Mitzulot organization. The center will serve as a hub for hands-on environmental education, leadership training, and community projects. To mark the opening, youth leaders participated in workshops where they built planters from recycled materials and learned the art of clothing repair to extend the life of their garments. These activities are just the beginning of a long-term commitment to sustainability and environmental awareness.

Teens at Arab branches made signs to hang in local schools.

Beyond the new center, NOAL branches in towns, cities, kibbutzim and villages across the country are taking part in climate-focused programs. Jewish youth branches have been leading activities on reusing recycled materials, planting local gardens, and spreading awareness about conservation efforts. In Arab branches, teens have taken on local cleanup projects, created signs reminding students to conserve water, and initiated campaigns to reduce waste in their communities. Meanwhile, in Druze branches, young participants have been planting greenery in shared spaces, beautifying their towns while learning about the importance of preserving nature.

Participants cleaned up local green spaces.

What makes these initiatives so meaningful is that they transcend differences. While Tu B’Shvat is traditionally a Jewish holiday, the themes of environmental responsibility and sustainability are universal. By working together, Jewish, Arab, and Druze youth are fostering a sense of shared purpose—learning that protecting the planet is a responsibility that unites us all.

Recycled bottles turned into new planters at NOAL's Tu BShvat Program!

NOAL has long been committed to empowering young people to take leadership in their communities, and these environmental initiatives are a powerful example of that mission in action. Through education, hands-on experience, and collective action, these young leaders are not only caring for the environment today but building a more sustainable future for all.