The Urban Farm
Cultivating Growth and Community
Nestled in the Centre of Johannesburg Jewish Community , Gilad and Shira Spitalnik’s urban farm is
more than just a garden; it’s a living testament to their commitment to growth, sustainability and community building. The Urban farm was born from Gilad and Shira’s love for the outdoors and the concept of farm life, despite their choice to live in the city to raise their children in a Jewish environment.
They envisioned a place where principles of sustainability, responsibility, and hard work could be taught through real-life experience.Integrated into their homeschooling curriculum, the farm allows their children to understand the importance of sustainable living and the cycles of nature firsthand. The farm is home to a variety of animals, providing endless opportunities for learning and connection with nature.
Adjacent to a beautiful park of 28,500 square metres and a natural wetland teeming with birdlife, they initiated a community project to care for, uplift, and redesign this park as part of their urban farm initiative. The heart of the farm is their home, where they live with their five children and Gilad’s father, who resides in a cottage on the property.
Their urban farm is a space for personal and community growth, with several different programmes run on the farm. It serves as an educational, growth, and healing centre for all who visit.
The urban farm embodies Gilad and Shira’s values and vision. It is a place of growth—both of plants and of people. They invite young men to join them, to dig their hands into the soil, to plant seeds of their own, and to be part of a community that believes in the power of growth, sustainability, and connection. Together, they can cultivate a brighter future for all.