Our Story
Sadeh is a farm and environmental community centre based on Jewish values. Our work is focused on environmental education and regenerative land practices; cross communal and inclusive Jewish engagement; and local and interfaith community building. Immersive Jewish farm experiences provide connection to Jewish community, inspire commitment to social and environmental justice, and foster leadership.
Founded by Talia Chain in 2017, Sadeh is the UK’s Jewish community farm. Inspired by her fellowship experience at Adamah, a Jewish farm-based program in upstate New York, Talia saw the need for a British equivalent. Under her leadership it has evolved into an inclusive environmental community contextualised within the principles of Jewish ethics and culture.
Our HIStory
Members of the Jewish community have been visiting the farm since the 1940s, when the Jewish Youth Fund purchased the site for The Brady Boys’ Club as a place of respite from the difficulties and dangers of life in the war-torn East End of London. Before this, the house was part of Lullingstone Castle, which is just across the local golf course and dates back more than 400 years.
Many people remember the house as Davidson House, which was its name for many years before it was renamed Skeet Hill House. The name Sadeh (which means ‘field’ ) reflects our values, one of which is to promote the wellbeing of people and planet, by encouraging everyone to spend more time in the countryside.
Our Values & Aims
Baal Tashchit — Do not destroy
Chinuch — Education
Tikkun Olam — Repairing the world
Kehilla — Community
Simchah — Joy
We look to the values of our Jewish traditions and our strong heritage of social justice. Combining the teaching of landwork with Jewish education grows new leadership promoting social justice. This will support the development of a strong Jewish community in the UK, provide new ways to engage with Judaism and create Jewish leaders who will be catalysts for positive social change.
Environmental education
Through our residential fellowship program, our school trips, our volunteer days and more, we provide environmental education in a Jewish context. We pull up carrots while talking about how planetary health connects with human health, why looking after the environment is so important, how to get involved in outdoor activities, what Jewish agricultural traditions are and lots more.
Regenerative Agriculture
We practice planet first agriculture from planting a variety of habitats, to our no dig veg beds, our forest garden and our Sadeh science activities. This also includes monitoring biodiversity and contributing to the scientific study of regenerative land management. This drives the development of a community of individuals with the knowledge, expertise and commitment to tackle the environmental challenges we all face.
Community building
We engage with the wider society on environmental issues. We plan campaigns, and work with other organisations wherever possible, demonstrating the Jewish community’s commitment to environmental justice.
Jewish values
We look to the values of our Jewish traditions and our strong heritage of social justice. Combining the teaching of landwork with Jewish education generates results in new leadership promoting social justice. This will support the development of a strong Jewish community in the UK, provide new ways to engage with Judaism and create Jewish leaders who will be catalysts for positive social change.
Also on our site
The Family Learning Flexi-School uses our space three days a week, offering unique and progressive education to primary and secondary age children.
They deliver inspiring, creative, personalised education to very small classes with high staff-to-child ratios, valuing autonomy and creativity as well as academic learning.
Puddle Ducks uses our heated indoor pool during the week to offer swimming lessons to children aged 0-10. They know that swimming has a ripple effect on the lives of swimmers, improving health, making family time more fun and improving social skills as well as aiding child development.