David Lehrer helps us understand the importance of Arava Institute and its contribution to the world. Arava Institute offers research opportunities at the highest quality and level to students from the Middle East and from all over the world and plays a leading role in research, conservation, environmental protection and sustainable development in the region. Arava Institute and Jewish National Fund (JNF) are partners in ecological and environmental education. JNF is a nonprofit organization which raises funds to support programs and actions to improve the lives of all citizens of Israel. Environmental concerns are explicitly addressed through at least four of JNF’s seven Action Areas, which include Forestry and Ecology, Water, Community Development, Security, Education, Research and Development, and Tourism and Recreation.