Solar Cooking
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==Events==
 
==Events==
  +
{{{{PAGENAME}}Events}}
 
{{CalendarAndPastEvents}}
 
{{CalendarAndPastEvents}}
   
 
=={{HeadingNews}}==
 
=={{HeadingNews}}==
  +
*{{NewJul20}}'''July 2020: Solar cooking resource''' - Daniel Feuermann has created an online resource for Israeli citizens to be able to learn about solar cooking and affordably purchase solar cookers. See: [[Sun & Cook]]
  +
[[File:Anera_in_Gaza_July_2017.jpg|thumb|300px|One of 160 families in Gaza using solar cookers]]
  +
*{{NewJul17}}'''July 2017:''' [https://www.anera.org/stories/solar-cookers-greenhouses-ease-hardship-poor-farmers-gaza/ In Gaza, 160 families are using sunlight for cooking, reducing their dependency on fuel and electricity]
  +
*{{NewJan17}}'''January 2017: Israel experiments with off-grid Kibbutz''' - Israel’s off-grid demonstration village at the Ketura Kibbutz in the Negev Desert, north of the Red Sea, is an attempt to show what is possible with renewable energy sources. Demonstration homes are to include [[Evacuated tube solar cooker designs|evacuated tube solar cookers]]. [http://www.decentralized-energy.com/articles/2017/01/israel-experiments-with-off-grid-kibbutz.html Read more...] - ''Decentralized Energy''
   
 
==Research==
 
==Research==
Line 23: Line 27:
 
=={{HeadingHistory}}==
 
=={{HeadingHistory}}==
   
  +
{{SubSection|A history of solar energy use}}
Beginning at ancient times, Israel has a history of developing solar heating, with a law to have solar heat collectors for hot water on every building. In fact more than 83% of houses are with solar water heating installed on the roofs. Luz, one of the largest solar heating companies in the world in the late 80's until 1999, and today two of the largest solar heating energy companies in the world, are both located near the city of Beit Shemesh (meaning in Hebrew: The House of the Sun): Sollel and Luz II. Also a large portion of the Weitzman institute consists of one of the largest solar collector tower and basin in the world.
+
Israel has a history of developing solar heating, with a law requiring solar heat collectors for hot water on every building. In fact, more than 83% of houses have solar water heating installed on the roofs. Luz, one of the largest solar heating companies in the world in the late 80's until 1999, and today two of the largest solar heating energy companies in the world are both located near the city of Beit Shemesh (meaning in Hebrew: The House of the Sun): Sollel and Luz II. Also, a large portion of the Weitzman institute consists of one of the largest solar collector tower and basin in the world.
   
 
solar cooking has continued to be prevalent, and in almost all Hebrew and English forums that deal with sustainable systems, there have been requests and sharing of information, with new blogs and websites dedicated to the subject. Climatic circumstances for solar cooking are close to ideal, and various initiatives including government sponsored advertising call for Israeli citizens to use solar ovens, and NGOs have been advancing the technology. [[Rachel Andres]], recipient of the Bronfman Prize, and originator of the solar cooking initiative in Darfur, was closely followed by Israeli media, with a project involving many Jewish communities worldwide. The images in the Israeli media, as well as the article content, left the impression that this was an Israeli project...
Solar cooking has recently become quite common, but in some places like the city of Eilat, there is no need to do anything, and frequently every summer, when temperatures reach 40 degrees celsius and more, the news show how people fry an egg on a car's roof.
 
   
  +
It seems that the invention of using a car [[sunscreen]] as a solar cooker was originally posted on the Internet on an Israel Hebrew solar cooking website, and it is possible that the writers were actually the inventors of this idea. (It should be noted that it may be that that website was translated and not the original source. No names are listed on the site.)
In recent years solar cooking has become more prevalent, and in almost all Hebrew and English forums that deal with sustainable systems, there are requests and sharing of information, with new blogs and websites dedicated to the subject. Climatic circumstances are near ideal, and various initiatives including government sponsored advertising. Call (in Hebrew) for Israeli citizens to use solar ovens.<nowiki></ref></nowiki> and NGOs have been advancing solar cooking. [[Rachel Andres]] the Bronfman prize winner and originator of the solar cooking initiative in Darpur, was closely followed by Israeli media, with this project involving many Jewish communities worldwide. The images in the Israeli media, as well as the article content, left the impression that this was an Israeli project...
 
  +
Public festivals on national holidays typically have included public solar cooking as a standard activity. Also, summer camp solar cooking activities are prevalent. News about these events and activities frequently reached the media.
   
  +
Solar cooking was mentioned in the Jewish holy scripts of the Mishna (compiled approx. 200 BC to 100 AD) written in Hebrew. The texts refer to the Mishnaic and Talmudic discussions on whether solar cooking was allowed on the Sabbath day (Saturday), when cooking or creating a fire is not permitted, stating that cooking done by the sun would be permitted on the Sabbath.
It seems that the invention of using a car sun-screen as solar cooker originates from Israel Hebrew site, possibly the original source of this idea, but the site may have been translated. There are no names listed. .
 
  +
They state that solar cooking is the "produce of the Sun, not produce of man-made fire".
   
 
In orthodox Jewish "Rabbinic" writings on Jewish rituals, this topic is discussed at length, especially due to the mandatory solar water heaters on every roof in Israel. Several orthodox Ashkenazi Jews have often used the sun as a solution for warming lunch at noon, which otherwise would be prohibited according to their customs. This applies only to dry foods, and only if the heat is received directly from the sun rays, and not by passing the heat and warmth via any other material (such as warm sand).
National holiday public festivals are now having public solar cooking as a standard activity, summer camp solar cooking activities are prevalent, with news reaching the media about a young man inventing a new type of solar cooker (see Reports section).
 
   
 
A Canadian visitor to Israel, Randy Shulman, lived in a southern remote kibbutz for some
Solar cooking has been mentioned in Jewish holy scripts of the Mishna (compiled approx 200 BC to 100 AD) Hebrew reference to the Mishnaic and Talmud discussions on solar cooking on the Sabbath day (Saturday), stating that cooking done by the sun is permitted on the Sabbath, and are "produce of the Sun, not produce of man-made fire". Today orthodox Jewish ritual discusses this at length, and certain orthodox Ashkenazi Jews many times use the sun as a solution for warming lunch at noon, which otherwise would be prohibited according to their customs. This is only for dry foods, and only if directly from the sun rays and not by passing the warmth from some other material (such as warm sand).
 
  +
months, where she attempted to introduce solar cooking to her hosts.
   
 
The turning point for the spread of knowledge about solar cooking in Israel may have been the widespread advertising in all newspapers about a family in Netanya, who learned solar cooking from Swiss friends around the year 2003.
A recent Canadian visitor to Israel, Randy Shulman, lived in a southern remote kibbutz for some
 
months, where she attempted to introduce solar cooking to her hosts. The work is only recently concluded and no word has been received of results.[[Media:sam.pdf|State of the Art of Solar Cooking]] by Dr. [[Barbara Knudson]].]
 
   
 
It is now quite common to see solar cooking at many settings in Israel.
The turning point may have been widespread advertising in all newspapers of a family in Netanya, who learned solar cooking from Swiss friends around the year 2003. [http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/917171.html Israeli solar cooking family in Israeli news.] Possibly the turning point for widespread solar cooking in Israel
 
   
 
{{SubSection|Jewish and Arab cooperation in solar cooking}}
It is now quite common to see solar cooking at many settings in Israel. (See recent developments, above)
 
 
Several joint initiatives have taken place in Israel, for learning about and practicing solar cooking. Especially notable, was the northern Israeli religious Jewish Kaditha village solar cooking outing held for Arab teachers from Galilee and Palestinian teachers from the Palestinian National Authority. The goal being, to successfully take their new solar cooking skills back to their own communities.
   
  +
{{SubSection|Bedouins}}
===Jewish and Arab cooperation in solar cooking===
 
 
An initiative to bring solar cooking to Bedouins (nomad Arab tribes in southern Israel), was started by Devora Brous, [http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/interview-with-devorah-brous/ Founder of Bustan NGO, angry at Israeli government attitude and actions towards the Bedouins]. These Bedouin tribes have been in a dispute with the Israeli government regarding Jewish establishment on land ownership in the Negev desert area. ''Bustan'' a grass-roots NGO is still working with the Bedouin people and solar cooking is used as an alternative to the traditional small fire cooking. Solar cooking is also a solution for villages not connected to the electrical grid.
In Israel there have been several joint initiatives, for learning and practicing solar cooking, especially notable was the northern Israeli religious Jewish Kaditha village solar cooking outing, with Arab teachers from Gallilee, and Palestinian teachers from the Palestinian National Authority studying and then successfully taking it to their communities.
 
   
 
Israelis have also participated in teaching Palestinians in the Palestinian Authority about solar ovens, and solar cooking activity. This is usually part of Anti-Israeli establishment activities.
An initiative to bring solar cooking to Bedouins (nomad Arab tribes in southern Israel), was started by Devora Brous, [http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/interview-with-devorah-brous/ Founder of Bustan NGO, angry at Israeli government attitude and actions towards the Bedouins]. These Bedouin tribes are at a dispute with the Israeli government and Jewish establishment on land ownership in the Negev desert area. ''Bustan'' a grass-roots NGO is still working with the Bedouin people and solar cooking is used as an alternative to the traditional small fire cooking, as well as being a solution for villages not connected to the electric grid.
 
   
  +
In Bet Shemesh (Literally: Home of the Sun) the local Sustainability Center holds regular workshops showing various types of solar cookers and holds workshops teaching baking and cooking with solar cookers.
Israelis have also participated in teaching Palistinians in the Palestenian Authority about solar ovens, and solar cooking activity. This is usually part of Anti-Israeli establishment activities.
 
 
{{ArchivedPagesForHistory}}
 
{{ArchivedPagesForHistory}}
  +
 
=={{HeadingClimateCulture}}==
 
=={{HeadingClimateCulture}}==
In the south and eastern desert areas, including cities such as Eilat and villages such as Ein Gedi, temperatures typically reach 40 degrees in the summer days. Solar cooking can be done in these regions on any dark (or sometimes even white) metal or sand. Soldiers and bedouin nomads are known to fry eggs or warm up cans of food directly in the sand, and residents of the cities in these locations, especially in the Arava area, may cook a meal, simply by placing it in the sun, without any solar oven.
+
In the south and eastern desert areas, including cities such as Eilat and villages such as Ein Gedi, temperatures typically reach {{Degree|40}} in the summer days. Solar cooking can be done in these regions on any dark (or sometimes even white) metal or sand. Soldiers and bedouin nomads are known to fry eggs or warm up cans of food directly in the sand, and residents of the cities in these locations, especially in the Arava area, may cook a meal, simply by placing it in the sun, without any solar oven.
   
In all of Israel, cloudy days account for only 40% of the year at most. In recent years there has been a haze caused mainly by dust from construction with rock covering for most of the buildings, and by polution mainly from transportation. Even so, conditions in Israel are ideal for solar cooking most of the year.
+
In all of Israel, cloudy days account for only 40% of the year at most. In recent years there has been a haze caused mainly by dust from construction covering many of the buildings, and by pollution primarily from transportation. Even so, conditions in Israel are ideal for solar cooking most of the year.
   
===See also===
+
'''See also'''
 
*{{WikipediaClimate|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Israel#Climate}}
 
*{{WikipediaClimate|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Israel#Climate}}
  +
*{{NewAug19}}{{EnergySituationEnergypedia}}
 
*[[Solar cooker dissemination and cultural variables]]
 
*[[Solar cooker dissemination and cultural variables]]
   
 
==Resources==
 
==Resources==
  +
{{ContinentInfo|Middle East}}
 
{{ArabicPlans}}
 
{{ArabicPlans}}
===Reports===
+
==={{HeadingDocuments}}===
 
====English reports====
 
====English reports====
  +
*{{NewMar18}}''January 2018:''' *[[Media:P15_YitzhakFeuermann.pdf|10th Grade High School Physics Education via Solar Cooking]] - ''Hezi Yizhaq & Daniel Feuermann''
* [http://www.kibbutzlotan.com/creativeEcology/cust_interat/support_our_center.htm Lotan ecology center]
 
  +
*{{NewFeb17}}'''January 2017:''' [[Media:On_High_School_Physics_and_Student_Assistance_in_Introducing_Solar_Cooking_to_Bedouin_Yizhaq.pdf|On High School Physics and Student Assistance in Introducing Solar Cooking to Bedouin]] - ''Hezi Yizhaq and Daniel Feuermann''
 
* [http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/interview-with-devorah-brous/ Angry founder of Bustan, at Israeli government attitude and actions towards the Bedouins, she founded this grass-roots organization]
 
* [http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/interview-with-devorah-brous/ Angry founder of Bustan, at Israeli government attitude and actions towards the Bedouins, she founded this grass-roots organization]
* [http://www.jewishworldwatch.org/refugeerelief/solarcookerproject2.html Jewish worldwide support for Darfur Solar Oven project]: Synagogues, temples (synagogues of the Jewish-Reform movement) and other Jewish organizations in the US, and world-wide supporting the project.
+
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20100828185655/http://www.jewishworldwatch.org/refugeerelief/solarcookerproject2.html Jewish worldwide support for Darfur Solar Oven project]: Synagogues, temples (synagogues of the Jewish-Reform movement) and other Jewish organizations in the US, and world-wide supporting the project.
 
* [http://greencampsites-il.blogspot.com/2007/11/teenager-builds-solar-water-heater.html Boy invents solar oven at camp]
 
* [http://greencampsites-il.blogspot.com/2007/11/teenager-builds-solar-water-heater.html Boy invents solar oven at camp]
 
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080520234855/http://www.schatzlab.org/solarthermal.html Israeli research institute developing solar oven and other solar technologies]
 
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080520234855/http://www.schatzlab.org/solarthermal.html Israeli research institute developing solar oven and other solar technologies]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080414105559/http://ecoworldly.com/2008/04/12/mega-solar-the-worlds-13-biggest-solar-thermal-energy-projects/ Giant solar ovens] Not really part of this site, but actually these are just very large solar ovens. One of the biggest is in Israel, others on this list were created by Israeli companies.
 
   
 
====Hebrew reports====
 
====Hebrew reports====
* [http://clickit.ort.org.il/files/upl/745690697/240356886.doc Making a solar oven from a Pizza cover]
+
* [[Media:Making_a_solar_oven_from_a_Pizza_cover.pdf|Making a solar oven from a Pizza cover]]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110118071153/http://www.sviva.gov.il/bin/en.jsp?enPage=BlankPage&enDisplay=view&enDispWhat=Zone&enDispWho=Solar_Energy&enZone=Solar_Energy Israeli government Ministry of Ecology] calls for Israeli citizens to use solar ovens, and to teach about them at schools. Also tells about the Weizman institute solar heating project, which reached 10,000 times the radiance at earth.
+
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110118071153/http://www.sviva.gov.il/bin/en.jsp?enPage=BlankPage&enDisplay=view&enDispWhat=Zone&enDispWho=Solar_Energy&enZone=Solar_Energy Israeli government Ministry of Ecology] calls for Israeli citizens to use solar ovens, and to teach about them at schools. Also included is information about the Weizman institute solar heating project, which reached 10,000 times the radiance of the sun at ground level.
   
 
===Articles in the media===
 
===Articles in the media===
Line 78: Line 89:
 
[[Image:Lotan-solar-seder-jews-photo-passover-500x375.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Solar Seder at Kibbutz Lotan]]
 
[[Image:Lotan-solar-seder-jews-photo-passover-500x375.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Solar Seder at Kibbutz Lotan]]
 
* '''November 2008:''' [http://greenprophet.com/2008/11/30/4646/solar-ovens-gaza-strip Solar Cooking Ovens: Another Eco-Solution from the Gaza Strip] - ''Green Prophet''
 
* '''November 2008:''' [http://greenprophet.com/2008/11/30/4646/solar-ovens-gaza-strip Solar Cooking Ovens: Another Eco-Solution from the Gaza Strip] - ''Green Prophet''
 
* '''October 2007:''' [http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/10/out_of_the_box.php The Joy of (Out of the Box) Cooking]
* [http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/917171.html Israeli solar cooker family in Israeli news] This is the family that brought it to Israel from Switzerland.
 
* [http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/10/out_of_the_box.php same story as it reached treehugger]
 
 
* [http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3520302,00.html Rachel Andres, Israeli woman who had solar oven intiative for Darfur women]
 
* [http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3520302,00.html Rachel Andres, Israeli woman who had solar oven intiative for Darfur women]
 
* [http://solarcooking.org/newsletters/scrjul03.htm Solar cooking lecture at Kibbutz Lotan] among other news from solar cooking world.
 
* [http://solarcooking.org/newsletters/scrjul03.htm Solar cooking lecture at Kibbutz Lotan] among other news from solar cooking world.
Line 86: Line 96:
 
* [http://solarcooking.org/windshield-cooker-he.htm Using a car window cover as a solar oven panel] Great invention!
 
* [http://solarcooking.org/windshield-cooker-he.htm Using a car window cover as a solar oven panel] Great invention!
 
* [http://food.walla.co.il/?w=/926/1187293 Some recipies] and the claim that solar ovens are originally from Switzerland (at least these people learned of it there).
 
* [http://food.walla.co.il/?w=/926/1187293 Some recipies] and the claim that solar ovens are originally from Switzerland (at least these people learned of it there).
 
===Audio and video===
 
*{{NewAug15}}'''June 2014:'''
 
::[[File:The man who cooks with the sun|thumb|none|400px|A story of ingenuity and creativity: Khaled Bashir lives in the Gaza Strip, and like everyone in Gaza, he too suffers from a never-ending shortage of electricity and gas. Unlike everyone else, Bashir invented a solar oven. Necessity yields slow, healthy and environmentally friendly cooking]]
 
   
 
===Web pages===
 
===Web pages===
Line 95: Line 101:
 
* [http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/10/israels_watec_c.php Israel's WATEC call for water technologies]
 
* [http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/10/israels_watec_c.php Israel's WATEC call for water technologies]
   
==Contacts==
 
 
===[[SCInet]] NGO members===
 
<dynamicpagelist>
 
allowcachedresults=true
 
category=Solar Cookers International Network members
 
category=NGOs
 
category=Israel
 
ordermethod=none
 
suppresserrors = true
 
</dynamicpagelist>
 
 
===[[SCInet]] individual members===
 
<dynamicpagelist>
 
allowcachedresults=true
 
category=Solar Cookers International Network members
 
category=Individuals
 
category=Israel
 
ordermethod=none
 
suppresserrors = true
 
</dynamicpagelist>
 
 
===[[SCInet]] manufacturers and vendors===
 
<dynamicpagelist>
 
allowcachedresults=true
 
category=Manufacturers and vendors
 
category=Solar Cookers International Network members
 
category=Israel
 
ordermethod=none
 
suppresserrors = true
 
</dynamicpagelist>
 
 
===NGOs based in or working in the {{BASEPAGENAME}}===
 
===NGOs based in or working in the {{BASEPAGENAME}}===
 
{{DPL|Israel|NGOs|1}}
 
{{DPL|Israel|NGOs|1}}
Line 143: Line 118:
 
* [http://stwww.weizmann.ac.il/g-phys/new_site/PISA/grade_9/C332D8CA.pdf Hebrew page on solar ovens]
 
* [http://stwww.weizmann.ac.il/g-phys/new_site/PISA/grade_9/C332D8CA.pdf Hebrew page on solar ovens]
 
* [http://www.snunit.k12.il/heb_journals/mada/284166.html Snunit Childrens Education NGO - article on solar ovens]
 
* [http://www.snunit.k12.il/heb_journals/mada/284166.html Snunit Childrens Education NGO - article on solar ovens]
* [http://groworganic.info/wordpress/?p=469 Ultra orthodox Jews create solar ovens and other eco-projects]
 
   
 
===Individuals===
 
===Individuals===
Line 156: Line 130:
 
* [http://www.kalnoam.co.il Noam, Israeli inventor of electric bike, explains solar oven on his company website]
 
* [http://www.kalnoam.co.il Noam, Israeli inventor of electric bike, explains solar oven on his company website]
   
 
====Israelis Abroad====
 
* [http://julianjacobs.blogspot.com/ Julian Jacobs]
 
   
 
===Manufacturers and vendors===
 
===Manufacturers and vendors===

Revision as of 18:38, 25 September 2020

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Last edited: 9 July 2020      
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Events

Featured international events

SE for ALL forum logo 2024, 10-3-23
  • 4-6 June 2024 (Bridgetown, Barbados): Sustainable Energy for All Global Forum - The event will be co-hosted by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) and the government of Barbados. It is a platform for government, business and finance leaders, entrepreneurs, and youth and community representatives from around the world to come together to broker new partnerships, spur new investment, and address challenges at the nexus of energy, climate, and development. More information...

Online events

Requests for proposal

  • Decentralized Renewable Energy Solutions utilizing Solar and Bio-Energy - Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments of ScienceDirect, is requesting guest-author submissions. The special issue, VSI: DRES is devoted to publishing research articles reporting the innovative designs and design interventions in solar thermal and bio-energy for decentralized energy systems (DES). It includes i) new and novel designs of prototype or commercial devices and technologies, their development, modeling and simulations and experimental validation; ii) innovations for processes, techniques, utilization, and applications; iii) novel use of materials for improving efficiency, performance, techno-economic feasibility, and sustainability and iv) research findings addressing the socio-economic, health and safety impacts, and life cycle assessments leading to proposing novel devices for DES. The Deadline for submission is 31 July 2024. More submittal information...
See also: Global Calendar of Events and past events in Israel

News

  • July 2020: Solar cooking resource - Daniel Feuermann has created an online resource for Israeli citizens to be able to learn about solar cooking and affordably purchase solar cookers. See: Sun & Cook
Anera in Gaza July 2017

One of 160 families in Gaza using solar cookers

Research

The National Physical Laboratory of Israel (NPLI) in 1996 experimented with the building of a solar concentrating type cooker. The design and materials used created an efficient cooker.

The promoting group was initially operating on the assumption that any solar cooker should lend itself to construction in local villages, largely around cost issues - that is, the intent was to serve the poor of the nation. That goal put considerable constraint on the venture, leading Harry Tabor, author of an article in the proceedings of the Varese Conference (1999), to suggest that while the appliance could be made or assembled locally, the critical elements could only be made in central shops (or even overseas). The NPLI research was limited to parabolic cookers, but the article argues that the principle pertains to box cookers as well. As example, glass cut to appropriate size(s), reliable and weather resistant hinges, bright aluminum in sheets, etc. could be prepared in regional workshops, while the insulation materials, wood, paint could be purchased locally.

Several companies and universities are continuing research on improving the solar oven, notably among them are the famed Weizmann Institute and Schatz Laboratories for Solar Energy Development.

History

A history of solar energy use

Israel has a history of developing solar heating, with a law requiring solar heat collectors for hot water on every building. In fact, more than 83% of houses have solar water heating installed on the roofs. Luz, one of the largest solar heating companies in the world in the late 80's until 1999, and today two of the largest solar heating energy companies in the world are both located near the city of Beit Shemesh (meaning in Hebrew: The House of the Sun): Sollel and Luz II. Also, a large portion of the Weitzman institute consists of one of the largest solar collector tower and basin in the world.

solar cooking has continued to be prevalent, and in almost all Hebrew and English forums that deal with sustainable systems, there have been requests and sharing of information, with new blogs and websites dedicated to the subject. Climatic circumstances for solar cooking are close to ideal, and various initiatives including government sponsored advertising call for Israeli citizens to use solar ovens, and NGOs have been advancing the technology. Rachel Andres, recipient of the Bronfman Prize, and originator of the solar cooking initiative in Darfur, was closely followed by Israeli media, with a project involving many Jewish communities worldwide. The images in the Israeli media, as well as the article content, left the impression that this was an Israeli project...

It seems that the invention of using a car sunscreen as a solar cooker was originally posted on the Internet on an Israel Hebrew solar cooking website, and it is possible that the writers were actually the inventors of this idea. (It should be noted that it may be that that website was translated and not the original source. No names are listed on the site.) Public festivals on national holidays typically have included public solar cooking as a standard activity. Also, summer camp solar cooking activities are prevalent. News about these events and activities frequently reached the media.

Solar cooking was mentioned in the Jewish holy scripts of the Mishna (compiled approx. 200 BC to 100 AD) written in Hebrew. The texts refer to the Mishnaic and Talmudic discussions on whether solar cooking was allowed on the Sabbath day (Saturday), when cooking or creating a fire is not permitted, stating that cooking done by the sun would be permitted on the Sabbath. They state that solar cooking is the "produce of the Sun, not produce of man-made fire".

In orthodox Jewish "Rabbinic" writings on Jewish rituals, this topic is discussed at length, especially due to the mandatory solar water heaters on every roof in Israel. Several orthodox Ashkenazi Jews have often used the sun as a solution for warming lunch at noon, which otherwise would be prohibited according to their customs. This applies only to dry foods, and only if the heat is received directly from the sun rays, and not by passing the heat and warmth via any other material (such as warm sand).

A Canadian visitor to Israel, Randy Shulman, lived in a southern remote kibbutz for some months, where she attempted to introduce solar cooking to her hosts.

The turning point for the spread of knowledge about solar cooking in Israel may have been the widespread advertising in all newspapers about a family in Netanya, who learned solar cooking from Swiss friends around the year 2003.

It is now quite common to see solar cooking at many settings in Israel.

Jewish and Arab cooperation in solar cooking

Several joint initiatives have taken place in Israel, for learning about and practicing solar cooking. Especially notable, was the northern Israeli religious Jewish Kaditha village solar cooking outing held for Arab teachers from Galilee and Palestinian teachers from the Palestinian National Authority. The goal being, to successfully take their new solar cooking skills back to their own communities.

Bedouins

An initiative to bring solar cooking to Bedouins (nomad Arab tribes in southern Israel), was started by Devora Brous, Founder of Bustan NGO, angry at Israeli government attitude and actions towards the Bedouins. These Bedouin tribes have been in a dispute with the Israeli government regarding Jewish establishment on land ownership in the Negev desert area. Bustan a grass-roots NGO is still working with the Bedouin people and solar cooking is used as an alternative to the traditional small fire cooking. Solar cooking is also a solution for villages not connected to the electrical grid.

Israelis have also participated in teaching Palestinians in the Palestinian Authority about solar ovens, and solar cooking activity. This is usually part of Anti-Israeli establishment activities.

In Bet Shemesh (Literally: Home of the Sun) the local Sustainability Center holds regular workshops showing various types of solar cookers and holds workshops teaching baking and cooking with solar cookers.

Archived articles

Climate and culture

In the south and eastern desert areas, including cities such as Eilat and villages such as Ein Gedi, temperatures typically reach 40 °C (104 °F) in the summer days. Solar cooking can be done in these regions on any dark (or sometimes even white) metal or sand. Soldiers and bedouin nomads are known to fry eggs or warm up cans of food directly in the sand, and residents of the cities in these locations, especially in the Arava area, may cook a meal, simply by placing it in the sun, without any solar oven.

In all of Israel, cloudy days account for only 40% of the year at most. In recent years there has been a haze caused mainly by dust from construction covering many of the buildings, and by pollution primarily from transportation. Even so, conditions in Israel are ideal for solar cooking most of the year.

See also

Resources

Possible funding

Construction plans in Arabic

Documents

English reports

Hebrew reports

Articles in the media

English media

Lotan-solar-seder-jews-photo-passover-500x375

Solar Seder at Kibbutz Lotan

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