Program Description

Mahaz fellows will live, learn, and work together. Applicants should be ready to immerse themselves in the daily activities, responsibilities, and rhythms of working on a production-oriented and community-based farm. Through the duration of the program, Fellows will have a chance to learn a diverse set of field skills related to regenerative agriculture, as well as gain an introductory exposure to a range of skills applicable to the foundation of homesteading arts and tending the wild. 

Fellows will work directly with our Farm Managers and farm team through their work in the field. A core focus of the program will be working with our horticultural projects - vegetable & medicinal gardens, fruit & nut orchards, ecological landscaping, etc. Aside from the core field work, the program also offers a robust enrichment curriculum, which includes weekly classes related to agriculture, ecological crafts, Jewish studies, and more, as taught by our farm team and guest educators.  As community is a central part of this experience, there will be time designated on a weekly basis to connect, share, and foster a nourishing  community culture.

Program Content

Our weekly schedule runs Monday to Thursday from 7am - 5pm and Fridays from 7am - 3pm, with an average of two programmed evenings a week. Below is a general description of our program content. Please see the FAQ page for more detailed program info.

Field Hours 

The majority of the week will be spent working within our various field departments on the farms.  Core farm responsibilities will vary depending on seasonal and project-based needs. Regular responsibilities may involve (but not limited to):

  • planting/weeding/irrigating/harvesting the vegetable gardens

  • animal husbandry

  • herbal medicine processing

  • food preservation

  • landscaping and agroforestry

  • daily homestead maintenance chores

(approx. 20-24 hrs/week)

Enrichment Curriculum

Intro to farming  - Through a combination of lectures, group discussions, and hands-on instruction, fellows will learn the basics of agricultural and homesteading skills. The objective of this course is to equip students with the knowledge and confidence to establish their own homestead/land-projects. Learn how to build a garden bed, turn food-waste into compost, propagate seeds, and so much more!

Torah of the Earth - Delve into the cycles, rhythms, and themes of our Jewish tradition within the context of agricultural practices and land stewardship.

Homesteading Arts Workshops - Fellows will have the opportunity to learn skills and crafts  related to homesteading life. We invite our own staff as well as a number of local educators to share their passion and expertise with the fellows.  In the past, we’ve explored topics such as wood-working, cob-building, hide-tanning and fermentation to name just a few.

Into the Wild - With the goal of cultivating a relationship with the land that goes beyond simply learning how to grow food, we’ve designed this time to deepen participants’ connection with the wild. Through bush-crafting, a richer understanding of our local ecosystem and attuning to our surroundings, we can nurture a profound sense of wonder and belonging within the natural world.

(approx. 10 hrs/week)

Community Practice

We gather multiple times each week to build, connect and nurture our community. Whether starting the week with collective intention and meaning, holding weekly check-ins for sharing needs and feedback, collaborating on monthly Shabbatons or holiday celebrations, or engaging in activities like hikes or backpacking trips, this program is rooted in a commitment to cultivating a genuine, healthy, and thriving community culture.

Community care extends beyond our group to include our wider local community. So to support our friends and neighbours, we will be involved in various volunteer projects over the summer.

(approx. 6 hrs/week)

Program Fees

Mahaz operates as a work trade model, so there is no tuition fee.  In exchange for an average of 20-24 hrs of work a week (of which will also have immense educational value), fellows will receive room, board and weekly farm harvests. Additionally, fellows will receive an average of 10 hours a week of educational and enrichment content that covers the many aspects of homesteading life. Fellows will also receive a monthly stipend of $600 to cover any additional living costs. Payments are twice monthly, and are conditional upon full program participation and attendance. 

Mahaz envisions this fellowship program as an investment into a small number of individuals who are seeking to deepen and develop their skills as ecological stewards. While the actual cost of this program is considerably higher per fellow, the tuition has been subsidized to allow this opportunity to be accessible for everyone. In lieu of tuition, we ask the fellows to fully invest in the field work, classes, and community programming. This means arriving promptly, being present, and committing wholeheartedly to the program.

Application Process

The ideal applicants for the Mahaz program are individuals who:

  • Can commit to the full duration of the program.

  • Are in the age range of 21 - 36 (couples may apply together).

  • Are in good physical and mental health and is prepared for hard, hands-on work.

  • Have a strong interest in learning about regenerative agriculture and ecological stewardship.

  • Have an interest in connecting their Jewish identity with the ecological / agricultural context.

  • Enjoy learning and growing in a community context, and working in a collaborative team setting.

  • Are comfortable in a multi-faith, multicultural setting and are respectful of all Jewish practices.

  • Are responsible, accountable and reliable. Value honest, respectful, and clear communication in a mature manner.

If this sounds like it may be a right match for you, we would be glad to hear from you and connect further! 

Applications will be accepted until Febuary 3rd, and we recommend submitting applications early, as there are a limited number spaces available. Once received, Mahaz administration will be in touch with potential candidates to schedule an interview. An additional follow-up interview may be scheduled if necessary.

Once an applicant is accepted into the program, their spot will be secured only after we receive a $400 deposit fee.

*Once an application has been submitted, please be sure to check your spam folder, as responses from the Mahaz email often get directed there.

Testimonials

  • "Mahaz is an enriching experience to discover what you love about living freely in our natural environment and learning what it is to be truly human in this world from some of the wisest teachers and mentors.”

    Shoshi H (cohort 2022)

  • “I've described it as both a fairytale, and as blessings pouring down like rain. I would also say, it's a great first step into the world of homesteading and survival skills. Your confidence and competency to grow food, medicine, mushrooms, take care of animals, and understand the basics of regenerative practices and permaculture design will increase. With that confidence you can continue this lifelong learning journey of rewilding ourselves, our homes, our hearts, and coming into greater harmony with the human and non-human community.”

    Rachel S (cohort 2022)

  • “Mahaz is a loving and welcoming farm fellowship, where you learn about ecological and homesteading practices and about how it pertains to Judaism and Jewish life. The community is so welcoming whether Jewish or non-Jewish, and there is so much time to spend with each other learning and having a good time, and the work is so good for the body and mind and soul.”

    Brocha Leah B (cohort 2022)

  • “The program gave me a wide variety of opportunities and experiences with farming, Judaism, and community - which is exactly what I came for.”

    Shana F (cohort 2022)

  • “In just 4 months I feel a deep level of healing I was really in need of (spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically), I opened a whole new world of hands-on skills I never had the opportunity to learn before (e.g. natural building/crafting, knife work, wilderness skills, fire craft), my Torah knowledge has expanded greatly (learning from all people and from the land itself), and I feel confident to do the work and show up in a way I felt I had lost before this program.”

    Miryam M (cohort 2022)

  • “A beautiful journey through communion with self, others and nature as a whole.”

    Menachem F (cohort 2023)

  • “Mahaz is a chance to dive deeply into land connected skills of farming, handicraft and ecology while living in a community of Jews. Prepare to be wowed by incredible teachers and their deep lessons, spend time sweating in the dirt and expand your image of yourself.” em

    Eli S (cohort 2023)

  • “This program has given me the time and space to explore parts of myself that I had yet to meet before coming. Not only was it a deep journey with the beautiful land itself, but also with myself. I learned skills connected to the land- how to grow my own vegetables and start my own fire- but also new skills in understanding myself. I am leaving with a beautiful new and large family, and I am so grateful.”

    Kayla R (cohort 2023)

  • “If you're looking to delve into a different kind of jewish community full of joy, confusion, uncertain, passion, learning, Mahaz is for you. If you want to get a taste of what life in the country could look like, if you want to go to sleep to the sounds of crickets and woken by birds, this place is for you. If you want the opportunity to try-on new skills and enter into a space of self-reliance, hard work, stepping into the unknown with trust, Mahaz is for you.”

    Raina G (cohort 2023)