Urban Adamah

Get your hands (and feet) dirty and plant the seeds for your Jewish future, literally, at Urban Adamah, the first urban Jewish community farm in the country. Through farm-based programs, Urban Adamah integrates the practices of Jewish tradition, sustainable agriculture, mindfulness, and social action. So you’ll get back to the earth with people who are, well, the salt of the earth. And, yes, the vibe matches its Berkeley, California, location, so breathe in and say, “Namaste here forever,” as you learn about agriculture in a yurt, practice aquaponics, or take a sunset yoga class on the farm.

Urban Adaman is focused on sustainability, not only when it comes to its land but also for its community. All affiliations and DIY versions of Judaism are welcome on the farm. The intentional and immersive programs appeal to diverse participants and visitors, who engage on multiple levels—as environmentalists, social-justice advocates, foodies, spiritual seekers, and Jews. A day on the farm can include participating in growing produce, assisting in the children’s garden, taking a cooking class in the teaching kitchen, attending a concert, or manning the weekly farm stand, which distributes 90 percent of the food Urban Adamah grows for free. The farm also hosts school groups and family days to spread farming knowledge to youth, offers a residential fellowship for young adults as well as a mini-fellowship, and features weekend overnight programs for teens and family holiday celebrations. There are few more authentic ways to practice tikkun olam than by connecting with the earth and providing nature-focused opportunities for Jewish connection, inspiration, and celebration of progressive values in a joyful Jewish context. And is there anything more joyful than outdoors Jewish celebrations that include farm-fresh food in a bucolic setting? Unlikely.