I hear this sentence a lot. It is in response to where I live in Israel. It is generally accompanied by a bewildered, or even a smug face. Most Israelis, including those from Modi’in have no clue that there is an 8-acre farm, along the outskirts of their town.
It is not surprising. Modi’in has a reputation as the city of the future, a shining example of potential for other cities. It was the first planned city in Israel and it is now experiencing urban sprawl. It is in an ideal location, between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, which makes it a thriving commuter city.
During my first week on the farm, I went on an adventure with two of the Eco Israel participants to Modi’in. We walked at night, along a dark road for an hour until we reached town. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement. There was nothing for me in this city. It is a planned city, without a natural evolving cultural and artistic life. We were in disbelief, as we passed by row upon row of identical white concrete blocks. My friend Abe, approached a young woman in between the central train station and the mall. “Where can find the center?†he asked. “You are here.†She replied. “No,†he insisted, “but where can we find bars, and coffee shops.†She shrugged, somewhat exasperated, “You want coffee, you go to the mall.†With a sarcastic gesture, she pointed behind her to the immense building. And she left us, with our mouths hanging open. Only later, we realized how foolish we must have appeared to her. Once in the mall, I asked a woman where we could find ice cream and she pointed me to the McDonalds in the food court. The point came across clear to me, the cultural life of Modi’in existed mainly in the mall. After five months, as I type this blog in the mall, my view remains unchanged.
I must admit my bias right here, even if it has already been made abundantly obvious. I adore living outdoors, even though I freeze at nights. I can see stars through my windows and I have bore witness to many fiery sunsets. I feel whole, when I am intimately connected with nature, such as; being able to sense when the rains will come, walking every day through a path of olive trees towards my dome, and hearing the jackals calling to each other outside the farm gates at night. I often travel to Tel Aviv, which requires a 45 minutes walk to the nearest train station. On my way, I pass by many wild plants, and I have since learned their names. I am becoming one, or becoming native with this landscape. Therefore, I feel protective of it, and I wish for no one to encroach upon this space, least of all the sprawl of Modi’in. I feel sadness, not comfort, as the city paves the increasingly muddy road from the farm to the train station. This means more traffic whizzing right by the farm and I will no longer feel as though we are in enclosed in nature.
Within Modi’in, there is a strong ecologically-minded community, which is both sponsored and nurtured by the farm. Recently a group of school teachers, who are employed by the farm went on a quest to save wild plants, in the region where the city of Modi’in is expanding a residential section. The teachers brought baskets and cloth bags to store both bulbs and root plants. They only sought out perennial plants and not those which are spread by seeds. Specifically, they saved alliums (large chives) hyssop (asov), salvia (racquefort), and z’utah.
All the plants will go the 16 various schools in the greater Modi’in area. The children of the schools are involved in the replanting. Nadav Soloway, a farm liaison, teacher and Eco Israel madrich reported that the children were very proud to be a part of this process. Even though they live in an urban area, they are now made aware of their role in protecting native plant species.
For me, nothing lives in isolation. Yes, there is a ecological education farm in one of the largest growing cities in Israel. A paradox to be sure. And the fate of the farm remains unclear to me, as the borders of Modi’in expand. But perhaps, this farm is needed here, as a demonstration to all, what is possible, even in dense urban pockets.
Danielle Barmash is a MASA participant participating in Eco Israel, one of Masa Israel‘s 160 programs.
