Asheville JCC Jewish Children’s Garden

Lael GrayProgram Development & Marketing Director

Asheville JCC

PROGRAMS: Early Childhood (birth – 5)After School (school age)Summer Day CampAdult Social ProgramsElder Day ClubSummer Pool MembershipJewish Cultural/Educational

“The heart of Asheville’s Jewish neighborhood”

Founded in the mid 1940s

Some families got together and bought a house on Charlotte Street

This building replaced the house about 15 years ago

“See my works, how beautiful and praiseworthy they are. And everything that I created, I created for you. Be careful not to spoil or destroy my world – for if you do, there will be nobody after you to repair it.”

Why “Jewish” gardening with young children?

Age-appropriate, hands-on learning activities

Jewish calendar revolves around agricultural cycles, providing a natural fit for a Jewish curriculum to be taught through garden activities

Jewish values are steeped in our relationship with nature. These values become conceptually concrete through a year in the garden.

“Within Jewish agricultural law, we find guidance on how to live an ethical and environmentally conscious life.” (Bernstein, E. (Ed). (2000). Ecology and the Jewish spirit: Where nature and the sacred meet. Woodstock, VT: Jewish Lights Publishing)

Garden DesignBased upon Jewish agricultural/festival cycle of the year

Summary Statement (2005):

The Asheville JCC’s educational garden will provide a variety of hands-on learning experiences for children enrolled in our programs.

The design of the garden and activities will incorporate environmental themes based on Judaic values: Bal Taschit (Do Not Destroy); L’ovda U’l’shomra (To Work and Keep the Land); Shomrei Adamah (Guardian of the Earth); and Tikkun Olam (Repair of the World).

Children will participate in age-appropriate activities that teach how their actions directly impact the earth. Through their own planting, nurturing and harvesting activities, children will learn about the cycles of nature, will gain first-hand knowledge of their relationship to the earth, and will ultimately understand the physical and moral imperatives for environmental stewardship.

Building Jewish Identity Through Jewish Environmentalism Bal Taschit

do not destroy

L’ovda U’l’shomra to work and keep the land

Shomrei Adamah guardian of the earth

Tikkun Olam repairing the world

Ma’aseh B’reishit miracle of creation

Tzedakahjustice

Outcomes

Short term All children will learn

basic gardening skills (planting, watering, weeding)

Staff will be trained to guide children in gardening activities

Children will become familiar with Jewish values that encourage people to take care of the earth

OutcomesMid-Term

Staff will be able to incorporate stewardship concepts into gardening and outdoor activities

Children will be excited about the results of their labor in the garden and will express ownership of their gardening activities

Children will be able to discuss the changes that occur in the garden throughout the different seasons

Children will see a connection between their garden activities and the greater community

OutcomesLong Term

Children will understand that their actions impact the environment

Children will understand the relationship between a healthy environment and their own health

Children will be able to discuss Jewish values that encourage people to take care of the earth

Children will want to protect the environment

Lessons Offer A “Jewish” LensInsects:

Object/Mitzvah to Be Taught:Bal Tashchit - Do Not Destroy; Hachnasat Orchim - Hospitality/Welcoming Guests; Hoda’ah - Appreciation

Goals (Measurable Outcomes):Children will find, capture, identify and observe insects present in the garden. Children will observe use of a field guide for identification of insects present in the garden.

Discussion:Identify/define insects. What is different about spiders? What harm can bugs do? What good can bugs do? Since we planted this garden, we have invited many creatures to live here. Even though we can feel that this garden is “ours,” we are visitors to the creatures who live here. Because we are both “hosts” and visitors, we have the responsibilities of both roles.

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Kayam Farm, Baltimore

Mission To embody and inspire social and ecological responsibility by

transforming our community through hands-on Jewish agricultural education.

Programs Over 3,500 participants to the farm each year for field trips,

volunteering, summer camp, holiday celebrations, skills workshops, and more.

Farm visitors include early childhood centers, Hebrew schools, Jewish day schools, youth groups, families, adults, and senior citizens.

Farm-based interfaith home school for families from a variety of ethnic and religious backgrounds.

Kohlel Summer Program - Thoughts, discussion and ruminations at the intersection of Torah, land, and sustainable community. 

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