Teva

I want to thank you for giving my son something that he truly needed in Teva. If the measurement of ones adventures in life is the impact it has upon them, then the Teva adventure has gone far beyond its goal!
—Teva parent
 

Teva works to fundamentally transform Jewish education through experiential learning that fosters Jewish, ecological, and food sustainability.

We’re excited to welcome the Teva program back to Isabella Freedman this year! Teva programs will now take place in the spring at the Pearlstone Center in Reisterstown, MD and in the fall at the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center in Falls Village, CT. Both retreat centers offer comfortable housing, kosher dining, and beautiful campuses surrounded by forests, farms, lakes and streams. Each facility can accommodate groups of up to 125. Teva programs are staffed by an incredible team of Jewish environmental educators.

Stay tuned for dates and registration! 


Teva was founded in 1994 with the philosophy of immersing participants in the natural world and providing structured activities to sensitize participants to nature’s rhythms, help them develop a more meaningful relationship with nature, and deepen their own connection to Jewish practices and traditions. This process also facilitates personal growth, community building, and a genuine commitment to Tikkun Olam, healing the world. A decade later, Teva’s focus expanded to include additional attention to issues of food sustainability as an aspect of the natural world.

Teva programs are designed for children ages 2 – 17 years old and educators of children. Over the last twenty years, Teva has worked with over 450 day schools, congregations, camps, JCCs, BJEs, youth groups, and other Jewish institutions. The more than 100,000 individuals who have benefited from our direct programs cover the spectrum of religious affiliation and age. Over 250 young adults form the core of our Teva educators and over 500 community educators have sought out our professional development opportunities. Our Teva educators have been inspired by their experience living and teaching in community to start 14 initiatives that are making real impact on the Jewish community.

Thank you so much for providing the Golda Och Academy 6th grade students with an enriching, engaging, and exploratory environmental learning curriculum. I, along with the students and chaperones, truly enjoyed our stay at Teva. We all learned so much! The students continuously sing the songs you taught them in the hallways and lunchroom and have tried to limit their psolet during lunch. They have truly taken what you have taught them and are applying it to their lives.
—Day School Administrator