We have supporting the development a network of Jewish educational gardens in the Greater Boston area. Below is a sample of garden projects that we have been a part of. 

Striar Hebrew Academy

During the winter and spring of 2017, Ganei Beantown worked with Striar Hebrew Academy of Sharon to build a garden in their barren side yard. The garden contains multiple raised beds and was built by students and their extended community. Thanks to a grant from the Mass Cultural Council STARS residency, Leora Mallach worked with students in grades 4 and 5 on a weekly basis to understand what is takes to grow food, what our global food system is and what impact eating local has, as well as facilitating field trips to local farming and food aid organizations. You can read about the project on the Striar garden blog.

Temple Israel of Boston

In 2011, we launched our first Beantown Jewish Garden in their backyard. On the site of their Biblical Garden, and with the help of their Monday Night School high school students, we installed 5 raised beds to grow vegetables and provide a place for gathering and learning. The donations of seedlings from Lands Sake Farm and Waltham Community Fields were much appreciated.

For several years, the Temple Israel Vegetable Garden was sustained through weekly summer volunteer evenings. Volunteer tasks varied by week depending on needs, and included planting, weeding, harvesting and light landscape work. Donations were given to Rosie’s Place. Pictures are here.

Network Gathering, Kinus (Assembly)

In 2013 we convened a Kinus (assembly) of Jewish institutions who were managing educational gardens and sustainability projects. It was a gathering to learn from each other, to share successes and struggles, as well as trade community organizing, education and agricultural tips. Networking supports the continued growth of the whole community and builds upon the work Beantown Jewish Gardens has done with individual organizations  and groups. We were excited to convene these various groups and facilitate peer learning opportunities.

As community groups develop projects of various scale, we work to keep the network connected. We are committed to creating opportunities for these groups to learn from each other, increasing our shared expertise.

Congregation Beth Elohim in Acton
Congregation Dorshei Tzedek
Congregation Shaarei Tefillah
Congregation Shirat Hayam in Swampscott
Gann Academy
Solomon Schechter Jewish Day School of Greater Boston
Striar Hebrew Academy
Temple B’nai Abraham in Beverly: Pe’ah Garden
Temple Emunah in Lexington
Temple Sinai of Marblehead & Swampscott: Gan Sinai
Temple Shalom of Newton Nursery School
Temple Israel in Boston
Temple Israel in Sharon
Temple Reyim