As the warmth of spring reinvigorates our world with new buds and leaves, our “Back to Our Roots” curriculum begins a new stage of growth. Thanks to a microgrant from the UJA and The Jewish Education Project, this fall, Gan Shalom Educators and students implemented this new curriculum to nurture the seeds of connection between our young learners and the land through the lens of Sukkot, Passover, and Shavuot. I’m excited to share our progress, lessons, and experiential learning that has taken place thus far.
What have we done?
We began in the fall with a phase of communal preparation, as Gan Shalom families worked together to construct our planting beds. This foundational work of laying wood chips, soil, and compost was a first step, setting the stage for future growth.
In the absence of sunlight and warmth, our planting transitioned indoors during the winter months. This phase allowed for focused observation and patience as students used their senses to identify changes in seed growth in our science centers. Classes used hydroponic gardening, observed the miracle of germination from the seeds in their snacks, and cultivated vibrant microgreens. These classroom explorations bring excitement to our transition outdoors as we prep our gardening beds for the planting and harvest of fruits and vegetables in our gardens on a much larger scale.
How have we linked our learning to the land of Israel?
Just in time for Yom Haatzmaut, we’re installing Israeli-invented drip irrigation in our gardens. This allows our young learners to grow foods similar to our ancestors’ crops in Israel. Witnessing their enthusiastic move from preparation to planting deepens their connection to our heritage as we celebrate modern Israel.
My recent journey to Israel further illuminated these phases of transition and connection. Walking along the ancient pathways near the Western Wall, where pilgrims once walked towards the Holy Temple during the Shalosh Regalim to bring their offerings to the Temple, offered a powerful link to the agricultural roots of our holidays and made me feel very connected to our traditions and the land that is sacred to our people.
We eagerly await this new stage of learning and discovery as our students experience and share the fruits of their labor with their families, each other, and Plant-A-Row for the Hungry.
Adrienne Rosen
Gan Shalom Director
