Jewish Community Foundation fundholders are turning their passions and visions into progress through their grants. These stories highlight the people, partnerships, and ideas that come together to activate these community investments.

Advancing Climate Solutions Through Connection and Collaboration

Andy Garman’s support for the Arava Institute in the Negev desert began with a fundraising bike ride and grew into a deep appreciation for an organization addressing environmental challenges while bringing together Israelis, Palestinians, Jordanians, and others to learn, live, and solve problems side by side.

Through hands-on projects, research, and a university-accredited academic program, the Arava Institute protects shared environmental resources, reduces conflict over natural resources, and models constructive peacemaking while building lifelong relationships among students from different political, cultural, and religious backgrounds.

As a former Chair of the Board of the San Diego Natural History Museum (the NAT) and passionate supporter of finding solutions to climate change, Andy was inspired by the Arava Institute’s belief that shared challenges can create shared purpose. Arava Institute students and alumni help communities implement practical solutions that create energy systems, water management, and sustainable agriculture.

Andy has also helped connect the Institute with San Diego audiences, academic institutions, and fellow philanthropists. He sparked a collaboration with the NAT that brought the esteemed executive director of the Arava Institute, Dr. Tareq Abu Hamed, to speak to an audience of Jewish and environmental science leaders in San Diego. Being able to support the Institute alongside a broader network of JCF fundholders, including Amy Corton and Carl Eibl, Tina Beranbaum, Immediate Past Chair of the Board of Directors of the Jewish Community Foundation San Diego, and her husband Mitch Shack, who has supported Arava Institute for years and participated on its fundraising bike rides, creates natural opportunities to share their enthusiasm for the impactful work.

This relationship between fundholders and nonprofit exemplifies how JCF connects fundholders and organizations to advance community change and shines a light on how the Arava Institute activates highly impactful collaboration around shared environmental goals.