{"id":2274,"date":"2020-04-26T06:36:42","date_gmt":"2020-04-26T06:36:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zavit.org.il\/intl\/?p=2274"},"modified":"2020-05-10T12:32:09","modified_gmt":"2020-05-10T12:32:09","slug":"flowing-israels-one-of-a-kind-tv-series","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zavit.org.il\/intl\/en\/animal_plants\/flowing-israels-one-of-a-kind-tv-series\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cFlowing,\u201d Israel\u2019s one-of-a-kind TV Series"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"\u201cFlowing\u201d A one-of-a-kind TV Series\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/c4jXmioj3fM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/nickalive.blogspot.com\/2020\/04\/flow-teennick-israel.html\"><em>Zormim<\/em><\/a> is a new educational mini-series on Israel\u2019s Nickelodeon that promotes ecological awareness of the country\u2019s rivers and streams. Now, this may not sound as entertaining as a sponge that lives in a pineapple under the sea, but it creates an emotional connection between Israeli youth and the environment. Such a connection might ease the audience\u2019s mind and have them think of other things. Especially during times of home isolation, it&#8217;s worthwhile to reconnect with nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.isees.org.il\/?lang=en\">Israeli Society for Ecology and Environmental Sciences<\/a> (ISEES), in collaboration with Nickelodeon, decided to produce <em>Zormim<\/em> in order to raise awareness about the environment and show children and teenagers (ages 7 \u2013 15) that they too can make a difference by taking action. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"767\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zavit.org.il\/intl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/WhatsApp-Image-2020-02-27-at-13.37.41-1-767x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2279\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.zavit.org.il\/intl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/WhatsApp-Image-2020-02-27-at-13.37.41-1-767x1024.jpeg 767w, https:\/\/www.zavit.org.il\/intl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/WhatsApp-Image-2020-02-27-at-13.37.41-1-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/www.zavit.org.il\/intl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/WhatsApp-Image-2020-02-27-at-13.37.41-1-768x1026.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.zavit.org.il\/intl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/WhatsApp-Image-2020-02-27-at-13.37.41-1-1150x1536.jpeg 1150w, https:\/\/www.zavit.org.il\/intl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/WhatsApp-Image-2020-02-27-at-13.37.41-1.jpeg 1198w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 767px) 100vw, 767px\" \/><figcaption><em>Zormim is a new educational mini-series on Israel\u2019s Nickelodeon that promotes ecological awareness of the country\u2019s rivers and streams. Photo by ZAVIT<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>A rocky\nrelationship <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, why is\nthere a need for an educational show about the environment on Nickelodeon?\nProducers felt the need to bridge the gap between what society once thought of\nthe rivers in their own backyard to what they are today or have the potential\nto become in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNickelodeon\u2019s encouragement\nand promotion of positive values as part of our content as a powerful and\ninfluential channel in Israel, gives our audience awareness, inspiration, and\npositive reinforcement to continue caring for the environment,\u201d says Bonit Ben\nAmi, Editor-in-Chief of the Nickelodeon Channels in Israel. \u201cSo, in fact,\nwe use our power to leverage, encourage, and preserve important values.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr. Neta\nLipman, the CEO of ISEES, explains, \u201cISEES gives tools to the scientific\ncommunity in order to make science approachable, but it doesn\u2019t normally have\nthe tools to approach such a large number of children, but Nickelodeon does.\nThey communicate with kids on a daily basis and they promote their messages\nsuccessfully. If we are writing and using their platform to make science more\naccessible, fun, and lively, then kids will feel like protecting nature, and in\nparticular, rivers is important.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Israel\u2019s\nhistoric relationship with its rivers and streams is rocky, to say the least. In\nthe past century, coastal plain streams were polluted by raw or poorly treated\nsewage and surrounding factories for many years, neglected by the government\nand cast aside by the public. This situation started to shift towards pollution\nreduction in the last decades of the 20<sup>th<\/sup> century. Since then, water\nquality has improved dramatically, and a number of streams have been ecologically\nrestored. Nevertheless, some of them are still polluted seasonally by sewage\noriginating in the West Bank. Other streams contain excess treated wastewater\n(secondary or tertiary treated) from Israeli agriculture, or, at times, become\ncontaminated by raw sewage due to failures or overflow in Israeli treatment\nfacilities and adjacent industries.&nbsp; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tom Topaz, a PhD candidate from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, who specializes in aquatic science and risk assessment, was invited to participate in one of the <em>Zormim<\/em> episodes. He explains why rivers are at the forefront of <em>Zormim<\/em>. \u201cIsraeli streams and rivers suffer from intensive anthropogenic stress causing many types of environmental and health problems,\u201d he says. He goes on to explain that the lack of wastewater management that is accompanied by the dumping of chemicals is a \u201cthreat to aquatic life.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zavit.org.il\/intl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/WhatsApp-Image-2020-02-27-at-13.36.16-1-1-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2283\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.zavit.org.il\/intl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/WhatsApp-Image-2020-02-27-at-13.36.16-1-1-768x1023.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.zavit.org.il\/intl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/WhatsApp-Image-2020-02-27-at-13.36.16-1-1-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/www.zavit.org.il\/intl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/WhatsApp-Image-2020-02-27-at-13.36.16-1-1-1153x1536.jpeg 1153w, https:\/\/www.zavit.org.il\/intl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/WhatsApp-Image-2020-02-27-at-13.36.16-1-1.jpeg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption><em>In the past century, coastal plain streams in Israel were polluted by raw or poorly treated sewage and surrounding factories for many years, neglected by the government and cast aside by the public. Photo by ZAVIT<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Creating an\nemotional connection with nature<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Given Israel\u2019s\npast regarding the environment, forming an emotional connection, as well as a\ncommunity commitment and sense of continuity surrounding the environment, is\nnot only the goal of the show, but it is much needed in today\u2019s society. Much\nof the Israeli youth is not aware that they are living in proximity to nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Shirley Oren, Vice\nPresident of Content for Viacom Channels Israel at Ananey Communications,\nagrees that \u201cfirst, you need\nto create an emotional connection, and the scientific content is sometimes an\nantithesis to that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAs part of\nNickelodeon\u2019s agenda, we develop and produce content entertaining, fun,\nenriching, and fun for our audience alongside ensuring constant preserving and\nencouraging values and positive messages,\u201d says Ben Ami.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Therefore, <em>Zormim<\/em>\nis teaching youth to celebrate the environment by making it an accessible and\ntangible asset through ecological, cultural, social, and economic importance.\nIt also puts an active and educational spin on the environment, showing its\nviewers that they can take part in solving environmental problems, particularly\nthose relating to Israel\u2019s rivers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c<em>Zormim<\/em> contains humor, likable characters, and fun storylines that make these subjects accessible while being fun. We believe that in this way, the messages and values of ecological touch audiences and generate greater awareness of the importance of the subject,\u201d says Ben Ami.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zavit.org.il\/intl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/WhatsApp-Image-2020-02-27-at-13.36.15-4-1024x682.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2291\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.zavit.org.il\/intl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/WhatsApp-Image-2020-02-27-at-13.36.15-4-1024x682.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.zavit.org.il\/intl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/WhatsApp-Image-2020-02-27-at-13.36.15-4-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.zavit.org.il\/intl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/WhatsApp-Image-2020-02-27-at-13.36.15-4-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.zavit.org.il\/intl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/WhatsApp-Image-2020-02-27-at-13.36.15-4-1536x1023.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.zavit.org.il\/intl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/WhatsApp-Image-2020-02-27-at-13.36.15-4.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption><em>\u201cAs part of Nickelodeon\u2019s agenda, we develop and produce content entertaining, fun, enriching, and fun for our audience alongside ensuring constant preserving and encouraging values and positive messages.\u201d Photo by ZAVIT<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>A\nfirst-of-its-kind series<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In order to promote\n<em>Zormim<\/em> in a successful manner, the mini-series will be accompanying the\nshowing of <em>Spiders<\/em>, another Nickelodeon show that follows children who\nare a part of a secret organization that protects the earth from environmental\ncriminals. For example, in Season 1, they defeat a criminal who is trying to dry\na large lake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The\nmini-series features Kim Or Azulay and Amit Hechter, from <em>Spiders<\/em>, They\nmeet scientists, environmentalists, and community activists who research,\nmonitor, and work to maintain and restore streams and waterways. The actors are\neven shown getting into the Yarkon River with scientists in order to take water samples in one of the\nepisodes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis sort of experience actually produces moments that are very authentic and very comical and strengthens the connection of the guiding theme and the experience itself,\u201d says Ben Ami. \u201cThis sense of connection is felt throughout the series and is delivered to an audience at home that often sees the actors as role models.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The education doesn\u2019t\nstop there. After the premiere of <em>Zormim<\/em>, viewers will be able to access\na digital platform that makes information about rivers in Israel accessible to\nthe general public. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.zavit.org.il\/intl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/zormim.yahatz6-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2287\"\/><figcaption><em>The mini-series features Kim Or Azulay and Amit Hechter, from Spiders, They meet scientists, environmentalists, and community activists who research, monitor, and work to maintain and restore streams and waterways<\/em>. Photo by ZAVIT<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This exposure\nwill also promote ongoing activities within the communities and institutions of\nviewers, empowering the viewers to work even harder to maintain and advocate\nfor their local environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Topaz says, \u201c<em>Zormim<\/em>\nis an excellent initiative bringing the younger generation one step closer to\nactual facts regarding our streams and estuaries. Exposing kids to the wonders\nof streams and aquatic life and its importance in our community and with\nregards to sustainability is of great value.\u201d He continues, \u201cI believe that the\nencounter with science and nature through the excellent performance of Amit and\nKim is of great importance for the efforts to maintain and restore Israel&#8217;s\naquatic ecosystems.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ben Ami\nexplains that Nickelodeon\u2019s desire is that ecological issues presented in <em>Zormim<\/em>\nwill raise awareness among the younger generation, allowing them to understand\nthe importance of nature, especially rivers in Israel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the first time that a television\nstation of such a caliber as Nickelodeon has chosen to produce a series for\nyouth about protagonists who preserve the environment.\nLipman concludes that \u201cteaming up with Nickelodeon is a very big step for\nISEES. The bigger the crowd, the bigger the message and influence you have.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNickelodeon\nhas tremendous exposure in the country, which allows us to be very effective\nwhen we broadcast content with a message that is important to children, beyond\ndrama or comedy,\u201d says Oren.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Zormim,<\/em> as well as the digital platform\naccompanying the show, are set to air this spring and summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe believe in the power and the will of the younger generation to \u2018save the world\u2019 and to ensure a better world in the future. We see them as agents of change,\u201d concludes Ben Ami.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>This ZAVIT article was also published in&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/nocamels.com\/2020\/04\/tv-show-israel-rivers-kids-connect-nature\/\">NoCamels<\/a><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/nocamels.com\/2019\/11\/israeli-startup-shakes-up-fashion-industry-digital-thread-dyeing\/\" target=\"_blank\">&nbsp;<\/a>on 04\/23\/2020.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Zormim is a new educational mini-series on Israel\u2019s Nickelodeon that promotes ecological awareness of the country\u2019s rivers and streams. Now, &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":182,"featured_media":2304,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[12,10],"tags":[],"acf":[],"post-meta-fields":{"_edit_lock":["1589113929:11"],"_oembed_d94e53ca9f3bd230e53676078b6c03b5":["<iframe title=\"\u201cFlowing\u201d A one-of-a-kind TV Series\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/c4jXmioj3fM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>"],"_oembed_time_d94e53ca9f3bd230e53676078b6c03b5":["1588070275"],"_thumbnail_id":["2304"],"_edit_last":["11"],"subtitle":["With COVID-19 dominating the news, many people on lockdown are looking for new and entertaining shows to take their mind off things. Look no further than Zormim (\u201cFlowing\u201d). 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