1. Asheville JCC
Jewish Children’s Garden
Lael Gray
Program Development & Marketing Director

2. Asheville JCC
“The heart of Asheville’s
Jewish neighborhood”
Founded in the mid 1940s
Some families got together
PROGRAMS:
and bought a house on
Charlotte Street Early Childhood (birth – 5)
After School (school age)
This building replaced the Summer Day Camp
house about 15 years ago Adult Social Programs
Elder Day Club
Summer Pool Membership
Jewish Cultural/Educational

3. “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.”

4. 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)

5. Garden Design
Based upon Jewish agricultural/festival cycle of the year

6. 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.

7. Building Jewish Identity Through
Jewish Environmentalism
 Bal Taschit  Tikkun Olam
do not destroy repairing the world
 L’ovda U’l’shomra  Ma’aseh B’reishit
to work and keep the land miracle of creation
 Shomrei Adamah  Tzedakah
guardian of the earth justice

8. 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

9. Outcomes
Mid-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

10. Outcomes
Long 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

11. Lessons Offer A “Jewish” Lens
Insects:
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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13. 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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