Over the last year, the Temple Shalom of Salem congregation has met and identified growth tasks for their community, of which 5 were chosen for further investigation. Gan Ruth was one of those tasks.

The Torah teaches us that we are to share the bounty of our land with those less fortunate.  It is incumbent upon us to utilize our property not only for ourselves but also for the benefit of others.

“And when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap the corners of your fields, nor shall you gather the gleaning of your harvest, you shall leave them for the poor, and for the stranger.  I am the lord your God.”

Leviticus 23:22

Because of this injunction, the poor were able to perform honest and recognizable work to support their families, rather than being dependent upon handouts from the wealthy.  Ruth, the grandmother of King David, was among those who benefited from this obligation.

In Ruth 2:2: And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.” Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter.”

Temple Shalom expects that the harvest from Ruth’s Garden will be shared with the families of the Little Beginnings Pre-School and, if there is enough, with others in need in the Salem Community.  We have so much; it is our obligation to give back.

Temple Shalom has partnered with the Highlands Coalition of Lynn to learn how to leverage a community garden into true community building. The Highlands Coalition of Lynn is well known for their collaboration with the Ford School that is transforming the area.

 

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Abundance of June 28, 2012:

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May 29th:

      

 

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April 15, work day:

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In November 2011, a group of volunteers built the raised beds which will become Gan Ruth in 2012: