the thymeline

4 PARTNER GARDENS

🌱 Yosef Gillers signs agreements with 4 schools, launching our first flagship GrowTorah programs at two elementary schools and two high schools.

🌿 He embarks on the process of building a board and advisory council to be incorporated later.

Read more here: A Torah Garden Grows in Riverdale

6 PARTNER GARDENS

🌾This year, we gain 2 more partner schools, bringing the total to six, building the momentum in our early years.

🌳 10/25/2017  marks our official incorporation as a nonprofit. 

🌻We accept our first foundation grant from EJF Philanthropies of $10,000.

Read more here: Cultivating Compassion and a Connection to Jewish Environmentalism in Modern Orthodox Day Schools - eJewishPhilanthropy

8 PARTNER GARDENS

FIRST SUMMER OF CAMP GROWTORAH

🪴Our first monthly newsletter is published! 

🌷We are chosen as one of six pioneering Jewish organizations in the inaugural cohort of the OU Impact Accelerator, propelling us into the next stage of organizational growth and nurturing our vision from seed stage to sustained impact.

🏕 Camp GrowTorah kicks off at Cropsey Community Farm with 9 campers.

Read about it here: OU Selects Six Non-Profit Startups to Benefit From New Impact Accelerator - The Jewish Link

13 PARTNER GARDENS

FIRST INTERN

🌿 Sara Just-Michael becomes our 2nd full-time employee and selected as a JOFEE Fellow.

🪻Our first Summer Intern, Yael Stochel, edits the first iteration of our foundational parsha-based curriculum.

🎉 The merger between GrowTorah and Canfei Nesharimis finalized, strengthening our educational growth and innovation.

🧑‍🌾Yosef is nominated as one of the Jewish Week’s “36 Under 36”

Read more here: GrowTorah and Canfei Nesharim Merge - The Jewish Link

18 PARTNER GARDENS

🌽 We are chosen for Upstart’s Venture Accelerator Cohort 12, recognizing our potential as an early-stage organization. 

🌞 We enhance our outdoor education, expanding its impact throughout schools and communities.

🦋 The Mina Gillers Memorial Fund is founded, playing an instrumental role in campers' abilities to attend Camp GrowTorah each year.

Read more here: ‘Grow Torah’ Visits Yavneh Academy - The Jewish Link

29 PARTNER GARDENS

🪵With the support of the Covenant Ignition Grant, our new Anafim program GrowTorah is established.

🌱 Sara steps into the role of Co-Executive Director alongside Yosef, ushering in a new chapter of growth for GrowTorah.

✉️ We introduce our Parsha newsletter, bringing Torah teachings to inboxes weekly.

Read more here: GrowTorah Seeded by Covenant Ignition Grant - The Jewish Link

31 PARTNER GARDENS

🌾 We host our Inaugural Harvest Feast and begins the annual tradition of joyful giving, shared values, and deep-rooted support for our organization's mission.

Read more here: GrowTorah’s Inaugural Fundraising Dinner Exceeds Expectations - The Jewish Link

33 PARTNERS GARDENS

ENVIRONMENTAL TORAH LIBRARY LAUNCHES

⛰️ Yosef is accepted into Class 7 of the prestigious Wexner Field Fellowship.

🌹Our Digital Environmental Torah Library goes live, combining resources on Torah, ecology, and education in one accessible platform.

🪴 We are accepted into Project Accelerate, catapulting us into our next stage as a leader in Jewish environmental education.

Read more here: GrowTorah’s Second Annual Dinner Announces Project Accelerate Acceptance - The Jewish Link

34 PARTNER GARDENS

🥕 We are awarded a Covenant Signature Grant, empowering an expansion of the Anafim program.

🎨 “Tiferet HaTorah” coloring book debuts, bringing Torah stories to life through creativity and hands-on learning for all ages.

📰 The “Olam Bashavua” weekly series launches, adding to our vibrant array of content we share.

Read more here: GrowTorah Launches Educational Coloring Book on Weekly Parsha - The Jewish Link

36 PARTNER GARDENS

🌙 “Olam BaShavua” evolves to “Olam BaChodesh” a now monthly edition.

🙋‍♀️ We launch our official volunteer program, opening the door for community members to actively cultivate change alongside us.

🌎 School partnerships expand significantly, with 30 active partners in the fall, across 10 states.

Read more here: Moriah Learns in GrowTorah Garden - The Jewish Link