Description: JFS Side Yard Seedlings is a new garden-based early childhood program launching in spring of 2018 and engaging children ages 2-6 and their caregivers through Jewish garden-based education. Children and their caregivers will gather at the Jewish Farm School garden for a 90 minute experience which includes caring for plants, nature-based crafts, song sessions, stories, and age-appropriate games and activities connected to the cycles of the seasons and the themes of the Hebrew calendar. Garden-based snacks will be served.
Location: Jewish Farm School Garden / 50th and Cedar / Philadelphia, PA
Dates and Times/Session Descriptions:
Session 3:
Turn It Again–Composting and Recycling
Did you know that composting and recycling are two core Jewish values? We’ll learn about how worms and bacteria turn our yucky food in to dirt, help with the compost bin, and think about ways to reduce our waste, along with plenty of singing, reading, digging, and exploring in the garden. Bring an old t-shirt to make a new tote bag!
Sunday, July 1, 10:00-11:30am
Session 4:
The Sweet Scent of Havadalah
Shabbat is a special part of the week, but do you ever feel sad when is over? Luckily, we have Havdalah (the separation between the holiness of Shabbat and the rest of the week) to cheer us up! We’ll explore havdalah customs, make spice boxes from garden plants, and make braided candles using wax from bees! Of course, we’ll have plenty of singing, reading, digging, and exploring in the garden.
Sunday, July 15, 10:00-11:30am
Session 5:
Tu B’Av–Showing Our Love
Welcome to our Jewish love fest! Tu B’Av (the fifteenth day of the month of Av… though we’re celebrating it late) is a time for singing, dancing, rejoicing, and showing your love. We’ll make sweet treats with ingredients from our garden, use recycled and natural materials to create love notes for family and friends, and talk about ways that we can show ahava (love) in the world. As always, we’ll have plenty of singing, reading, digging, and exploring in the garden.
Sunday, August 5, 10:00-11:30am
Session 6:
Hebrew Scribes
Did you know that it’s a mitzvah (good deed) to help write a Torah scroll? We’ll use berries to make ink, explore Hebrew letters with natural materials and our bodies, and write with quills made from feathers. As always, we’ll have plenty of singing, reading, digging, and exploring in the garden.
Sunday, August 19, 10:00-11:30am
Cost: Tickets are $12 for families with one child and $18 for families with two or more children. Our doors are open to everyone, so if finances are a barrier for you, please email Rowan.
For more information: contact Rowan Machalow