Tevel b’Tzedek (in Hebrew: תבל בצדק) is a non-governmental organization (NGO) based in Israel that promotes sustainable development in developing countries through the formation of thematic-based groups and community mobilization. It was established in 2007 by Rabbi Micha Odenheimer, who wanted to provide young Jewish people with meaningful social justice experience abroad with the intention of creating strong Jewish leaders invested in the idea of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world). Since 2007, hundreds of Jewish volunteers from communities in Israel, the United States, Germany, Ukraine, South Africa, Australia and other countries have traveled to Nepal and Haiti to participate in community development projects.
History
Tevel was formed in 2007 and began with 15 Israeli volunteers living communally in the Swayambhu neighborhood of Kathmandu and volunteering with local NGOs. In 2009 Tevel partnered with Nyayik Sansar to establish a unified organizational model that places highly qualified professional Nepali staff as leaders of projects in various communities working alongside international volunteers. Volunteers are recruited from Jewish communities in various parts of the world to live and work as part of the communities they are helping to develop.
Mission
Tevel b'Tzedek has two synergetic, equally important goals. They strive to create Israeli and Jewish leadership involved in "Tikkun Olam" (repairing the world) locally and globally. Additionally, they aim to work together with impoverished communities to enhance their livelihood, capacity and wellbeing.
Methodology
Community development
Tevel/ Nyayik Sansar's community development model emphasizes sustainable development and long lasting socio-economic changes in five main thematic areas: Women, Youth, Agriculture, Education and Media. The duration of Tevel volunteers’ stay varies by program including a one-month, four-month or ten-month service learning program. The ten month fellowship program pairs international volunteers with Nepali volunteers both of whom have educational or vocational background in related areas.
Agriculture
Tevel establishes community demonstration farms in remote villages to teach new growing techniques and water conservation methods. Twenty-five demonstration farms are now maintained by local group members with the aim of developing a more communal approach to food security in the villages. Tevel's agriculture groups have helped villagers build better water and rain-harvesting collection methods, drip irrigation systems and off-season vegetable nurseries. Since the earthquake in Nepal, 500 female farmers have received over 4,000 kilos of ginger roots and training to create commercial cooperatives in their villages, 100 rural entrepreneurs in small scale mushroom farming are being supported and trained, and 1,300,000 square feet of land has been irrigated with concrete irrigation pools.
Education
Tevel works with over 20 public schools serving students from ages three and above. Tevel focuses on establishing early childhood development classes and training teachers in child-friendly, child-centered teaching methodologies. Tevel aims to bridge educational theory and policy with practical implementation in schools with very limited resources. Tevel's education groups have trained teachers in child-centered pedagogy and project-based education and have formed programs to increase attendance and enrollment. Since the earthquake, Tevel has also brought in trauma experts to teach village teachers how to help their students cope with the loss of family members and their homes.
Youth empowerment
Tevel establishes community- and school-based youth groups that focus on increasing leadership skills for village youth. In Nepal, the movement is known as “Hami Yuva” (We are the Youth). Four months after the earthquake, Tevel started a groundbreaking Youth Service Program in Nepal where 40 village youths are learning to become agents of change in their devastated communities. The program, run in partnership with the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), focuses on giving the participants tools and skills to implement community recovery programs and how to continue the economic development of the villages in the future.