Comments on: Pinat Shorashim Charts New Direction

By: Jeanie Horowitz

Jeanie Horowitz — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 13:58:17 +0000

I just heard that Pinat Shorashim closed and I think it is a real shame. It was a beautiful place and David is an amazing Jewish educator. I took two educational groups from London and we started each tour at Pinat Shorashim at sunrise and it was the highlight of each of those trips. I hope it succeeds in finding another home in Israel. We, in the diaspora are poorer without it.

By: Hazzan Eddie Roffman

Hazzan Eddie Roffman — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 05:50:59 +0000

Pinat Shorashim was a gem of pluralistic Jewish potenial. Kol Hakavod to David Leichman and his staff for their vision and 18 years of hard work!

Pinat Shorashim provided a wonderful background for Jewish educational experience. It was a beautiful place. The program was outstanding back in 1996, especially for our young son, to be able to labor for a few mornings, with the hope that the ‘work of our hands would be firmly established’ in ha-aretz.

On a return visit in 2006, we were amazed to be able to see and touch terrazzo tiles that our young family had made, poured, and placed in the soil 10 years earlier.

David and his crew provided a great experience for us, and for many others. Seeing and touching the tiles 10 years later was a profound experience.

This is another proof that the ‘galut’ isn’t over yet, especially not for the pieces that will be making a new home in Kansas City.

By: Steve Gray

Steve Gray — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 21:08:00 +0000

David Leichman is the consumate educator and it is painful to think that the marvelous work that he and his staff have done at Pinat Shorashim will not be continuing. It is a tremendous loss for Kibbutz Gezer ( what were they thinking???!!) for the area, as well as for the entire Israeli educational landscape. I hope that his ideas can be translated into activities not only abroad, but also close by, maybe even in a spot near to my heart in the Galilee. And as for Kansas I would remind him of Dorothy’s Zionist imploring in her immortal words to Toto ” there’s no place like home, ther’s no place like home”

Steve Gray
Kibbutz Hannaton /Jerusalem

By: marcy price

marcy price — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:03:55 +0000

David and Miri, I am so sorry to hear about the closing of one of my favorite places in Israel, Pinat Shorashim… I hope that you focus on all of the hands-on learning that took place over the past 18 years on the grounds of that amazing creative endeavor. I was impressed from the moment I sat on the benches and listened to David explain the history of the kibbutz and the beginnings of Pinat Shorashim. We will hold fond memories of baking pita over the fire pit and discovering the many ways that our prayers, holidays and biblical verses are tied to the Land of Israel. Good luck as you begin the next phase of your journey.

By: Shai Abramson

Shai Abramson — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 14:20:09 +0000

I will never forget the way David Leichman guided me through the biblical garden that he so carefully planned and built with his own hands. As he gently took my arm, he would point out a pathway here, a sitting area there, and he would imbue each with special meaning. Pinat Shorashim has been a real gem and we are sorry to hear that it will be moving on.
David, we wish you the best of luck.
B’hatzlacha,
Shai Waxman Abramson
Moshav Neve Ilan

By: Mike Rosenberg

Mike Rosenberg — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 14:58:22 +0000

I was very sorry to hear of this turn of events. Whatever differences existed between Kibbutz Gezer and Pinat Shoreshim, there is no way that this result can possibly be justified.
This was a wonderful project which put Kibbutz Gezer “on the map” as a first rate location for informal Jewish education in Israel – something which will be missed by all, including Kibbutz Gezer in time.
I wish the project continued success in a new location and am sure that Kibbutz Gezer’s loss will be another location’s gain.
Here is to the continued and expanded success of Pinat Shoreshim wherever it ends up!
Mike Rosenberg
Kibbutz Maale Hahamisha