“God said to Adam, ‘See my works how good and praiseworthy they are? And all that I have created I made for you. Be mindful then that you do not spoil and destroy My world — for if you do spoil it, there is no one after you to repair it.’ ”
— Kohelet Rabbah 7:13
When you spend time on Shemesh Organic Farm at the Shalom Institute, you are delving deep into your Jewish roots and learning how to live in a healthy and symbiotic relationship with the land.
My journey to the Shalom Institute’s Shemesh Organic Farm began in the summer of 2008, when I participated in the Adamah Fellowship at the Isabella Jewish Retreat Center in Connecticut. During Adamah, I was introduced to what it means to be a Jewish farmer. I studied Judaism’s connection to the environment and what it means to live a sustainable life. I was inspired daily by the intentionality behind the farm work and the vibrancy of the Judaism being practiced. My time at Adamah, and my later experience as a cooking instructor at Kayam Farm in Maryland, provided me with the tools and the support to come to the Shalom Institute and put all my effort into transforming the beautiful garden into what is now Shemesh Organic Farm.
I planted myself in the rich soil of the farm only eight months ago, but the first plants have been growing there since 2001. That summer, a group of Israeli scouts working at Camp JCA Shalom designed and created a garden in the shape of Israel. Their vision was to teach about Israel through Malibu’s similar climate. They wanted to expose youth to the flora and fauna of the historical and awe-inspiring land of Israel through an interactive, hands-on garden. It was, unfortunately, the tragic death of Marla Bennett, beloved program director for the institute, in 2002 that transformed the space. Marla was one of the victims of the Hebrew
University bombing in Jerusalem. Having grown up at Camp JCA, she was an incredible inspiration to everyone who knew her, and she touched the lives of thousands of campers and staff members. She was also a huge supporter of the garden and of all Jewish experiential education. Her death sparked institutional change and the motivation to develop a garden that would speak to her passion and love for the land of Israel.
The Marla Bennett Israel Discovery Garden was dedicated in her honor on June 6, 2004.
What is present today has far surpassed what anyone could have imagined in 2004. It is a garden that teaches about the Seven Species — the seven types of fruit and grain named in the Torah as special to the Holy Land — the history and geography of the land of Israel, the history of agriculture as told through Jewish texts, the seasonality of the crops in relation to the Jewish (lunar) calendar, Jewish holidays and more. It is a fascinating educational garden that has touched the lives of thousands and will reach many thousands more, allowing Marla’s legacy to live on.
The Marla Bennett Israel Discovery Garden is now only one piece of the Shemesh Organic Farm. There is an entire one-acre plateau, Gan Aya (the beautiful land), dedicated to growing and teaching about organic produce while highlighting Jewish values such as bal tashchit (do not waste) and being shomrei Adamah (a guardian of the Earth). It is in Gan Aya that lessons about Jewish agricultural laws, planting seeds, composting, cooking for oneself, being thankful and saying blessings are taught. Gan Aya is a space that inspires people to start their own gardens, to stop buying conventionally grown produce and to meet their local farmers. It is constantly under cultivation and has produced an estimated 500 pounds of produce over the past two years, with hopes for another 500 pounds by the end of summer 2010.
The third piece of the farm is lovingly referred to as Pinat Chai (the corner of life). Pinat Chai is a two-acre plot on a hill just above Gan Aya where eight horses, two donkeys, a pair of goats, a couple of tortoises and a dozen chickens call home. Judaism places a great emphasis on taking care of animals, and it is through this new addition that Pinat Chai educates visitors on kashrut, animal husbandry, tza’ar ba’alei chayim (the commandment to show kindness to domestic animals), and the connection between animals and the Torah. By following rules such as this, Pinat Chai is upholding thousand-year-old values and honoring the Judaism of our ancestors.
There are a dozen people like me living and working at the Shalom Institute, sharing our collective passion and motivation to keep Marla’s dream alive and empower people daily through creative educational programming. What once was a vision for a better world is now a living, breathing example of what a little patience and a lot of hard work can look like in the future.
About the Shalom Institute:
The Shalom Institute has been inspiring, educating and connecting the Los Angeles Jewish Community for nearly 60 years. Having gone through many transformations, the Shalom Institute today runs educational retreats, holiday programs and family camps, and provides outdoor adventure experiences and environmental education to Jewish organizations throughout the year. It is best-known for its Camp JCA Shalom. Camp JCA Shalom is a remarkable place for youth to experience the beauty of nature while participating in a variety of dynamic programs and activities that develop a wealth of new skills and interests working toward the greater vision of tikkun olam, repairing the world. The Shemesh Organic Farm is just one piece of that vision. The Shalom Institute is also a beneficiary of the Jewish Federation. For more information, visit shalominstitute.com or campjcashalom.com.
For more information about volunteer and educational opportunities, contact garden director Elana Havusha at {encode=”elana@shalominstitute.com” title=”elana@shalominstitute.com”}.
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