A Seed Grows in the Garden
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Tri-Faith
- Published on
Hello inquisitive readers,
My name is Ilene, and over the next few blogs I am going to be writing about the Tri-Faith Garden and Orchard, our enthusiastic volunteers, and the impact our work has on food insecurity in our community.
The Tri-Faith Garden and Orchard is more than just a plot of land to plant seeds or grow fruit trees. This garden grows our understanding of the interfaith community with volunteers from a church, a mosque, and a temple. New friendships grow from fellowship while tending the garden. Volunteers share their gardening expertise so we all learn together to gain insights and respect for diverse beliefs in our community. If you have the desire to learn, build awareness of the wonders of diversity, and help the food insecure in our community, then come grow with us in the Tri-Faith Garden and Orchard.
Pictured above are some of the volunteers from American Muslim Institute, Countryside Community Church, and Temple Israel of Omaha, Nebraska practicing safe distancing with masks in the garden. I am the one with my left arm up in the middle.
When the Social Justice Committee was restarted by Rabbi Berezin with Geoffrey Silverstein at the end of 2017, Rabbi Berezin suggested the idea of a community garden. The idea was approved for funding by February 2018. As part of the Social Justice Committee in 2017 -2018, I thought the idea of a garden to address food insecurity was a wonderful idea. I love gardening and I know that there must be others who would be thrilled to volunteer. I already knew about HOPE (stands for Helping Omaha’s People Eat) Garden because my wife (a Master Gardener) and I toured it during the Monroe-Meyer Guild garden walk in 2017. If you have never been on one of the Monroe-Meyer Guild garden walks and you love gardens, this is a must-see event and the entrance fee goes to a great cause.
When I retired at the end of last year, it freed me up to spend time in the garden volunteering. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else now. The Tri-Faith Garden and Orchard has planted a seed that has grown inside me, nourished by newly formed friendships that have blossomed in a celebration of our similarities and differences.
Spread the Word
