The sight of a large, ploughed field in Moshav Kidron in 2017 inspired Noam Yaron, an experienced social worker in the field of mental health, to plant an ecological garden., One year later, Ya`ara - a Place to Grow – was founded.
Ya'ara is a social food forest, where ecological restoration and emotional rehabilitation go hand in hand. Rooted in sustainable agricultural principles, the forest is a living testament to the resilience of nature and the human spirit.
Today, in 2025, the 20 dunams are planted with a rich forest of fruit trees, vegetable plots, bushes covered with berries, and plant beds with medicinal herbs and spices. An oasis in what was a barren piece of land.
I arrived at Ya`ara one hot November day with my daughter, one of their enthusiastic counselors. At first glance the site looks disorganized; certainly not a landscape of tidy rows. But each cluster of trees and bushes is expertly planned according to its topography, sun direction and shade, and in harmony with the access to water. She tirelessly showed me every tree and bush, berry and flower, herb and spice and twig. The leaves of one bush tasted like peanut butter, and the variety of berries included some that are not generally seen. A small olive grove has recently been planted in an appropriate open space.
The hothouse was particularly fascinating. Starting with tiny cuttings that are being propagated, these "preemies" mature and are moved into the huge main section. House plants, herbs, bushes and trees are sold by advance arrangement and are prepared especially by order. My daughter related that a bride had ordered a quantity of herbs to decorate each table at her wedding.
I was then quite relieved to sit with a cup of herb tea in one of the many shady sitting and relaxation corners to meet the founder and manager of Ya`ara, and listen to his thoughts about this very special project, which is a registered charitable association. There was a powerful perfume in the air from a beautiful flowering rose bush, a perfume that is sadly lacking when buying roses from commercial florists.
Noam started by quoting the motto of Ya`ara: "When a person heals the land, the land heals the person."
He then related how his long-held ambition came to fruition. "I always wanted to do something to challenge the material and industrial society that is polluting our world. My social work career had focused on services in the field of mental health, so I envisioned that Ya`ara would be a center for the recovery and rehabilitation of those who had suffered a mental health crisis and those with more chronic conditions."
Through connections with government ministries and established charitable organizations, funding was obtained to offer the participants a basket of services. The Ministry of Health funds a mental health package for recognized nonprofit associations and the Ministry of Welfare provides services to those with cognitive disabilities.
The expenses apart from the setting up of the infrastructure include management, professional counsellors and work wages for the participants.
"We started with three participants, and now we now have 30," explains Noam, "and we have room for more. We also encourage volunteers and have had help from youth groups and pensioners, as well as organizations which bring their members to volunteer.
"The garden also conducts research and development for adapting the concept of a food forest to local conditions. Using holistic, ecologic and organic methods, we plant a diversity of fruit trees, bushes, wild and ornamental plants some of which are known to be of medicinal value," he explains. A food forest enables a healing of the earth which is so abused throughout the world.
For the participants, it is a community. They work and learn together, cook their lunch and eat together. Some of them have special skills and work in regular parts of the garden; others learn as they go along – a safe empowering work-space, a foundation of personal growth helping individuals rebuild trust, self-worth and a sense of purpose."
Participants come from three major groups: those recovering from a mental health crisis, PTSDs (Post Traumatic Stress Disorders), anxiety and depression, all in much increased numbers during the past two years; chronic disabilities such as schizophrenia; the third group those with cognitive disabilities or are on the autistic spectrum.
Noam stresses that diagnosis is not important. "The participant is empowered by the healing work of nature and horticulture as well as the experience of feeling part of a community. Thirty per cent have re-entered the work-force," Noam assists in job interviews, is in contact with the work-place and offers some continuity afterwards.
In planning is a program of afternoon participation for families of fallen soldiers.
This indeed is a hidden Garden of Eden.
Visit the website at https://www.yaarafoodforest.com
For coordinating a group tour and activity: Karen 052 240 9555
For donations: Noam: 054 571 2870 or on website.
Offers of volunteering one day a week on a regular basis: Natanel 054 241 4730
For orders of produce (catalogue on website): Helen 052 278 8918.