What is KAIMA?
Kaima, or "sustainability" in Aramaic, is a word that embodies society's collective obligation to preserve the environment and nurture the wellbeing of people across every generation.
Imagine living on the fringes of society. Perhaps you are on the streets, discarded by your family. Maybe you struggle with drug/alcohol addiction, are a victim of abuse, or are bewildered after leaving your cloistered ultra-orthodox community. How must you feel being told that you are unimportant and will never amount to anything? You couldn't possibly feel more alone, vulnerable, or invisible. Now imagine someone taking a chance on you, reminding you that you are worth it!
Kaima is an educational farming network originally founded to apply the tool of employment and the magic of nature to engage and empower teens and young adults, ages 15-21, as they explore alternatives to traditional educational and national service settings.
Using the farm as our outdoor classroom, Kaima’s mission is to help individuals turn their lives around through a multi-layered process that combines hands-on organic farming, leadership development, business learning, and community development.
Recognizing the many important programs within Israel's non-profit and government sectors that already provide critical support for this population, Kaima's unique approach connects skill acquisition, hands-on learning, hard work, self-determination, intergenerational collaboration, and, notably, financial remuneration to convey the message that anything is possible. And, of course, it all takes place outdoors!
Kaima's network
The Kaima Network
Located on the outskirts of Jerusalem, Kaima’s prototype farm provides educational and therapeutic farming experiences for vulnerable groups and the public, while pioneering innovative programs to lead Israel’s growing social farming movement.
Overlooking the Sea of Galilee, this farm provides critical educational and social interventions for vulnerable youth and the local community, bringing vital resources to underserved areas including the Jordan Valley, Karmiel, Kiryat Shmona, Safed, and beyond.
This farm serves the Jezreel Valley region, Tivon, and Haifa. Initially founded as the first all-girl/woman-run farm in the Kaima social farming network. in the wake of October 7, the farm began to integrate boys into its feminist farming community.
Our first initernational initiataive, this farm empowers disadvan-taged rural youth through sustainable agricultural training. Drawing on Kaima’s "employment-as-education" model, programming combats poverty and unemploy-ment by by imartng practical skillsfor financial independence.
This farm, operating in Pardes Hanna, is home to “Anchored in the Earth” and “Anchored in the Family”, two initiatives that encourage healing, rebuild emotional capacity, and foster resilience for IDF reservists and their spouses/partners .
Kaima Inspired Farms / Agricultural Initiatives
Kaima has also inspired the creation of additional therapeutic farms throughout Israel. All have benefitted from intensive mentoring through Kaima; some receive ongoing training. Future initiatives will be fostered through Beit Kaima, our new community-based agricultural and educational training center.
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Meshek Lev Adam, an intergenerational farm located in Bat Shlomo operating under the jurisdiction of Hof HaCarmel Regional Council.
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Ruca’s Farm, a rehabilitative farm for the treatment of Israeli veteran suffering PTSD a operating under the jurisdiction of Sdot Dan Regional Council.
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Beerotayim Farm, formerly Kaima Beerotaim, an intergenerational farm located in the Sharon operating under the jurisdiction of Hefer Valley Regional Council.
Our Operating Principles
Every person has the inner desire and capacity for self-improvement.
Even the most disenfranchised, including those who have been expelled from school and other programs, are worthy and must be both encouraged and equipped to start anew.
For some, effective learning is the result of interactive experience, not conventional classroom lessons.
The healing power of nature can be harnessed as part of a sustained program to transform individual lives and move people from isolation to engagement.
Non-hierarchical intergenerational systems challenge stereotypes of different age groups and perceived limitations, foster the exchange of reciprocal knowledge, and create richer, more inclusive communities.
The closer one is to their food source, the more efficient the food chain is, and the less energy is lost.
Every community has within its means the power to feed the hungry.
Our Model in Three Parts
Kaima operates according to a unique outreach approach based on a hybrid of commerce and non-profit modalities to help dropout youth turn their lives around. The project works by synthesizing education, environmental stewardship, and social business theory into one cohesive model.
Educational
Kaima provides a unique educational work environment where every challenge is an opportunity to find meaning and personal development.
Environmental
Community Supported Agriculture offers the marketplace and the community alternative economic and social relationships.
Economic
Kaima supports itself through income generated at appreciable levels through farm sales, combined with government and philanthropic support.
Board and Founders
CEO & Kaima Network Director
Yoni Yefet-Reich
Yoni was born and grew up in Beit Zayit and is a graduate of the nearby Ein Kerem Community Environmental School. He has considerable experience in non-profit organizational management and informal social educational program development and implementation. Yoni received his Bachelor of Law (LLB) in 2005 and graduated with an M.A. in Non-Profit Management at Hebrew University in 2013.
Kaima Network, Educational Coordinator
Guy Bar Navon
Guy received his MSW in Clinical Social Work from Hebrew University in 2014. Though he previously served as Kaima’s long-time, onsite social worker, Guy has taken on a new, larger role traveling to our sister farms to assure all operate in alignment with Kaima’s “employment-as-education” principles. He also created and directs "Anchored in the Earth", our therapeutic farming program for IDF reservists struggling with PTSD symptoms. When not at one of our network farms, Guy offers psychotherapy in a private clinic in Jerusalem.