In a world that often celebrates straight lines, speed, and progress, there is quiet power in circles. Cycles are the language of nature—from the phases of the moon to the rhythm of our breath, from seasons to emotional tides. Human beings are wired for circularity: we live through cycles of energy, creativity, healing, and renewal. Across cultures and traditions, circular systems have always provided space for depth, intuition, and connection. Today, more and more people and organizations are returning to this wisdom in their daily lives, creative endeavors, and educational pursuits. When we move in circles, we grow in deeper, more sustainable ways.
In Israel, you can find this in the work of women who restore clothing instead of discarding it, who teach through spirals rather than steps, and who create healing spaces where growth comes not from force, but from rhythm. Here are their stories:
‘AMEN’(Adamat Marpeh Nashit – healing earth of Women) in Tivon: Grounded in Healing, Community, and Cycles
ֿFounded in 2020 by trauma survivor Marva Zohar, AMEN is a healing center in the northern town of Kiryat Tivon, dedicated to supporting women over 18 who struggle with complex post-traumatic stress stemming from sexual violence. At its heart lies a feminist, holistic community model—a modern-day “Red Tent”—that blends trauma-informed therapies with biodynamic gardening, the arts, and ecological rituals.
Women participate in cultivating land, composting, and planting therapeutic herbs while learning to slow down, breathe, and rebuild trust in their bodies and with each other. The values at AMEN are built on reciprocity, tradition, and cyclical wisdom, mirroring the natural cycles of trauma recovery and healing. The center intentionally juxtaposes vulnerability with growth: women emerge from crisis into community, and from silence into song.
Centering the work in both the rhythms of nature and the wisdom of ancient feminine spaces, AMEN embodies renewal and the generational transmission of healing and resilience. It also places deep value on honoring the menstrual cycle as a sacred rhythm, rather than a source of shame or silence. Through educational circles, embodied practices, and seasonal rituals, the center reclaims menstruation as a source of feminine wisdom and empowerment. By aligning therapeutic processes with lunar phases and the body’s natural cycles, AMEN helps women reconnect with themselves and with a broader ecological system—one that sees menstruation as a gateway to creativity and inner sovereignty.
Learn more about AMEN and explore their work through their website on the Ohela platform Here
Nechama: Reviving Fashion Through Upcycling in Rehovot
Nechama is a Rehovot-based fashion brand founded by Naomi Rozin, dedicated to transforming pre-loved clothing into unique, stylish pieces. With a keen eye for design and sustainability, Naomi breathes new life into garments, offering them a second chance to shine. Her creations not only reflect a commitment to environmental consciousness but also celebrate the art of renewal and creativity.
By embracing the principles of upcycling, Nechama contributes to a more sustainable fashion industry while providing customers with one-of-a-kind, thoughtfully crafted apparel. Amid the growing sustainability movement in Israeli fashion, the work of young designer Naomi Rozin stands out as a compelling blend of environmental consciousness and artistic expression.
Through her brand, she transforms discarded garments, vintage finds, and textile remnants into bold, one-of-a-kind fashion pieces that defy trends and celebrate individuality. Nechama approaches each creation as a canvas, layering textures, reworking silhouettes, and stitching narratives into the very fabric. Her designs are less about clothing and more about wearable art—each piece infused with emotion, memory, and cultural nuance. In doing so, she reshapes how Israelis think about clothing: as a form of identity, history, and creative resistance.
Check her designs and special work Here
Close to home: How our own TLV Citizen Cafe’s repetition-based method works
As someone who has taught music for many years and worked with people in diverse settings, joining Citizen Café was a genuinely inspiring shift. I immediately connected with the school’s circular, intuitive approach to learning. It felt fresh, natural, and aligned with how people absorb language—much like how we learn music: through rhythm, repetition, and flow.
After seeing many students grow and thrive, I knew I had to highlight the unique method developed by Efrat Chen, co-founder of Citizen Café, alongside Tamar Pross. The method is grounded in repetition and spiraling cycles. It places intuition and fluidity at the center, gives full credit to the learner, and moves in a circular way that builds trust in the process. Students continually revisit what they’ve learned, deepening their understanding each time. This structured repetition is a mindset, and it’s one of the reasons why it succeeds.
Every class is designed around fast-paced speaking drills, where students are encouraged to repeat, repeat, and repeat! Rather than moving linearly from one topic to another, the structure is spiral-based. This layered repetition helps reinforce what’s already been learned while adding new vocabulary and nuances over time. It allows students to experience moments of achievement and helps them gain confidence in spontaneous conversation. The originality of this approach is why I love teaching it.
If we take an even closer look, circularity is deeply entwined with Jewish and Israeli culture. The Hebrew calendar flows through cycles of holidays and reflection. The land itself rests in Shmita, a sabbatical year of renewal. These are reminders that growth comes from returning, not just advancing.
As the world looks for more sustainable, intuitive, and human ways of living, we are rediscovering what has always been here: the power of cycles—in learning, in creativity, and in culture. And perhaps the future we long for will be shaped not by straight lines, but by spirals: soft, strong, and ever-evolving.
