Lotan, Israel

Kibbutz Lotan (Hebrew: לוֹטָן) is the second Reform kibbutz established by the Reform Jewish Movement 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 2023 it had a population of 240.^[1] The kibbutz is a member of the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism and the Global Ecovillage Network.

Lotan לוטן لوتان
Lotan
Coordinates: 29°59′8″N 35°5′18″E
Country	Israel
District	Southern
Council	Hevel Eilot
Affiliation	Kibbutz Movement
Founded	1983
Founded by	it is the second kibbutz founded by the Reform Movement
Population  (2023)[1]	240

Lotan

Ketura Junction, near Lotan, connecting Highway 40 and Highway 90

A dome house in Lotan, made of straw bales covered with earth plaster

Attractions in Lotan

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 Lotan, "one of the sons of Seir the Horite".^[2] (Genesis 36:20; 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 an Eco education branch, member's incomes from work throughout the region and ecotourism including birdwatching and the Green Apprenticeship program.

The kibbutz's Center for Creative Ecology is an environmental education, research and conservation institution. The Center offers academic programs 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.