Welcome to our website, detailing our learning about Jewish farming and project of creating signs for the farm at Gann Academy. At Kesher, we use Project-Based Learning (PBL) to dig into Jewish tradition and wisdom, and this year we have been exploring the question of "How do we mark time as Jewish people?" In our exploration of this topic, we've heard from guest (zoom) speakers, had workshops with professional artists and practitioners, and delved into topics of the relationship between the Jewish calendar and agriculture and wondering how we can best honor the earth.
In a connection to our Tu B'Shvat unit, we searched for a meaningful project that would benefit our community - and landed on creating educational signs for the Gann Farm - where Anafim teacher Emily worked! Each class chose different parts of the farm to focus on and brainstormed, designed, and created signs.
Shorashim (K-1) practiced their Hebrew colors as they made signs for the Rainbow Garden.
Nitzanim (2-3) dug into what is Jewish about compost.
Anafim (4-5) engaged peah, leaving the corners of the field for the poor and stranger, among other Jewish farming values.
Early arrival students made signs for the calendar garden, reviewing Hebrew months and what happens in each month.
To do this project, we met with Noah Weinberg over zoom to discuss possibilities and see what was needed, researched materials and art styles, learned linocutting from a professional artist, primed, painted and printed onto wooden boards, and wrote artist statements and funneled that learning into this website.
We are so excited to gather at the Farm on Sunday, May 23 to install and dedicate these signs to the Gann Farm. We are so excited to be part of the story of the Gann Farm, and a growing community of shomrei adamah (carers of the earth) rooted on this land.