The state of Israel is at a historic crossroads. We are in the midst of embarking on what David Ben-Gurion identified as one of Israel’s greatest challenges; cultivating the Negev desert. More than 50 years ago at a speech near his home in Sde Boqer, he said, “It is in the Negev that the creativity and pioneer vigor of Israel shall be tested.” If we are to succeed, and we must succeed, we are going to need to use all our natural and human resources carefully, effectively, and sustainably.

Unfortunately, current resource allocation prevents that. The federal government is overwhelmed with security concerns and many local municipalities are struggling to make ends meet. There are major organizational and operational voids that need to be filled. Realizing this, and armed with the passion and skills necessary to tackle this complex issue, Isaac Hametz, a young agronomist from central New Jersey, made aliyah directly to Beer Sheva and formed Shvuat ha-Adamah; a community based non-governmental organization dedicated to improving and safeguarding the quality of Israel’s environment. He enlisted the support of concerned citizens; Sabras, new and veteran immigrants, young and old to find solutions to Israel’s growing environmental and cultural crisis.

Shvuat ha-Adamah/Earth’s Promise, is guided by the axiom – “think global, act local”. By developing locally sustainable solutions to pressing global problems, Shvuat ha-Adamah/Earth’s Promise seeks to strengthen and improve the quality of Israel’s environment, its people, and its economy.