L’dor V’dor: Honoring Life and Land on a Jewish Farm

Seven months ago, my daughter shared news that brought joy to my heart—she was expecting her first child. My baby is about to become a mother. As Mother’s Day approached, my daughter, her husband, and his family planned a visit to San Diego from New York, and I knew I wanted to mark this moment in a way that would celebrate not only the new life growing inside her, but also the generations that came before—and the Earth that continues to sustain us all.

Celebrating New Life at Coastal Roots Farm

I chose to host a Shabbat dinner and baby shower at Coastal Roots Farm, a nonprofit Jewish community farm and education center nestled in Encinitas, California. This special place is more than just a farm—it’s where intention meets compassion, a space that nurtures both land and spirit. It felt like the most fitting location for such a momentous family and friends gathering.

Where Jewish Values Take Root

What makes Coastal Roots Farm truly remarkable isn’t only what it grows, but why it exists. The farm’s mission is deeply rooted in Jewish tradition and values, offering an inclusive space for all to gather, learn, and work toward a healthier, more sustainable world.

Among the core values lived and practiced here:

Adam V’Adamah – the sacred relationship between people and the earth
Tikkun Olam – repairing the world through food justice and community partnerships
Arevut – mutual responsibility and care for one another
Peleh – awe and wonder in nature
Kodesh – honoring sacred time for rest, reflection, and celebration

These aren’t abstract ideas—they’re actively expressed in the soil, the harvest, and the way the community comes together.

A Shabbat Dinner and Baby Shower to Remember

Our gathering was a beautiful blend of joy, tradition, and farm-to-table goodness. I hired Corbin, who brought his vintage Tap Truck to serve up delicious drinks that added charm and flavor to the evening. I also brought in Chef Francesco from Cucina Migrante, whose Italian-inspired appetizers and traditional dishes delighted every guest. The food was outstanding, and the atmosphere was full of warmth and joy.

We strolled through the fields, fed chickens, and learned about the regenerative farming techniques that sustain the land. Being so close to the source of our food—and to those who care for it—was grounding and magical.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, we gathered for Shabbat, reciting blessings over wine and challah. Later, we enjoyed a lovingly prepared four-course dinner made with some vegetables grown right there on the farm. Each bite was a celebration of the earth and of the people who nurture it.

Before leaving, guests were gifted baskets of freshly harvested vegetables—a humble yet heartfelt thank-you and a way of sharing the abundance of the land.

The Power of People and Place

What made this celebration extraordinary wasn’t just the setting or the food—it was the people. Family and friends surrounded my daughter with love and encouragement. The Coastal Roots Farm staff helped us honor the Earth’s rhythms with grace. Each vendor supported the farm’s sustainable mission, working in harmony with the environment.

The sense of community was profound. I saw how this gathering was more than a celebration—it was a way of planting seeds for a kinder, more conscious future.

A Legacy of Love and Responsibility

As we prepare to welcome this new little soul into the world, I feel deeply grateful for the values they’ll inherit. Coastal Roots Farm reminded us that sustainability and stewardship don’t have to be abstract concepts. They can be joyful, tangible, and woven into everyday life.

Whether we connect to the Earth through heart or through intellect, this experience deepened our appreciation for the world that sustains us. I hope my grandchild grows up with that same reverence—for the planet and for one another.

A Mother’s Day Blessing

On this weekend devoted to celebrating motherhood—human and planetary—I’m reminded that each of us has a part to play in shaping the future. This wasn’t just a baby shower; it was an act of tikkun olam—repairing the world through love, gratitude, and shared responsibility.

With Heartfelt Thanks

To the staff of Coastal Roots Farm, our incredible vendors, and the beloved friends and family who made this celebration possible—thank you. This memory is now a sacred part of our family’s story.

To all the mothers, daughters, sisters, friends, and mentors—may your Mother’s Day be filled with love, renewal, and a deep connection to the land and people who nurture you. And may the hostages be returned to their mothers, surrounded by the warmth and love that they deserve, and may we all continue to hold space for their safe return.