Planting the seeds of tomorrow’s leaders.
Social action and Environmental Stewardship are fundamental pillars of the Kehila Heschel school philosophy.
In the past three years our students have been cultivating vegetable gardens, which donate their produce to the Hamilton Jewish Family Services Food Bank.
Through Kehila Heschel’s integrated curriculum, the gardens are an experiential learning tool for enhancing academic success, support students’ wellbeing and to cultivate the development of the whole student – cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development.
The gardens are a vehicle to achieve learning goals within the curriculum such as:
measurement
business
eco system
environment
science
literacy
food and nutrition
and art.
In addition, students learn about their civic duty to help others who are in need as well as history as they study the planting of complementary crops such as the three sisters (corn, squash, and beans) in indigenous gardens. Inclusion in the planning and growth of the gardens further enhances students’ sense of belonging, social skills, problem solving and abilities in planning and negotiating. They develop leadership and collaborative skills by identifying shared goals and priorities that are responsive to the needs of the community. Kehila Heschel students learn the impact their efforts can make in Tikkun Olam – taking care of the earth – and in helping others through tzedakah and justice.
This year, Kehila Heschel school is delighted to join with a number of community partners to further expand the objectives of our community gardens.
How does your Garden grow: Planting the Seeds for Youth and Philanthropy Partnership Project has as its mission to encourage young people to become involved in positive change in their community. The goals of this project are to: 1. increase awareness of critical issues such as environmental changes, food security and social networks; 2. increase young students’ awareness of how they may contribute through generosity and philanthropy and 3. collaborate with community partners to improve quality of life. Community partners will include Kehila Heschel School, Hamilton Jewish Family Services, Na’amat Hamilton, and Women for Change.