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Garin Torani literally means “a seed that is Torah oriented”. The phrase is used today, in Israel, to refer to a group of idealistic, religious zionist individuals and families who try to effect social and religious development in underdeveloped communities. Their mission is to strengthen and enrich floundering Israeli communities so that they can integrate into Israeli society as a whole.

The word garin (seed), sums up, in a word, the way a Garin Torani functions. Garinim Toraniim, as a group, employ a unique method of social outreach. They identify a need for growth in a community. And they don’t rely solely on social programming and funding – they bring people to neighborhoods in need. People with a vision for a flourishing community, people who are successful, idealistic, giving individuals, who can stand in as the seeds for communal growth.

History
The original Garinim Toraniim began in development towns in Israel. As early as 1968, a garin was established in Kiryat Shmoneh, and later in Maalot, Eilat, Yerucham and Tzfat. In recent years, garinim were established in larger cities as well (Jerusalem, Tel Aviv), in inner-city neighborhoods.

The idea of the Garin spread rapidly in the 1990’s. At that point, the idea of building up the people and hearts of Israel, and not only the physical land marks, took hold as part of the Religious Zionist vision. Rav Yoel Ben Nun, a leader of this new movement, expressed the idea that it is possible, and worthwhile, to settle in people’s hearts as well as in the land.

Mission
While differing models of garinim exist, the main mission of any group that calls itself a garin torani is to effect social change in a neglected community using role models, enthusiasm and Jewish values. The goal is to increase stability and social integration, as well as productivity and connection to Torah in Israel’s communities. Starting from the ground up, promoters of the garin method, hope to move Israel on its way to being a stable, productive, flourishing nation with Torah and Jewish values at its core.

Garin Structure
A Garin is always founded on a group of individuals who make their home in the community they seek to impact. The nature of this group differs from Garin to Garin. In the most successful models, where the social outreach extends into the daily lives of the community, the group is simply a group. They move into a neighborhood, they talk to people, they forge relationships with veteran community members. They found programs, and even institutions, that will benefit the members of the community.

Shaalei Torah initiated a new program in 2007 to develop the role of a communal rabbi in the garin communities. While Rabbis and synagogues are in abundance in Israel, members of traditional (masorati) communities often have no connection to a community rabbi. Shaalei Torah’s goal is to introduce rabbis into traditional communities who will take an active role in the community and build personal relationships with its members.

Some garinim are focused around a central yeshiva or kollel. That kollel provides a religious base for the garin members as well as the opportunity to use Torah as a means to improve the lives of their neighbors. While some of the kollel models have come under fire for remaining close knit and failing to integrate directly into the community, some garinim view their kollel as only one aspect of their work and place a strong, if not stronger emphasis on social outreach.

Garin Programs and Institutions
Often, garinim establish religious Zionist schools and youth groups in the community. Many of the Shaalei Torah Garinim also reach out to families in need and children at risk through the establishment of a Bayit Cham, or Warm Home which provides services for children at risk during after school and summer hours. Most garinim also distribute food packages before the holidays, delivered personally by neighbors or garin members with the effect of reaching out both financially and socially. In addition to the promotion of social development and integration, Garinim Toraniim also seek to infuse an understanding of Torah and Jewish values into communities that often have limited exposure to positive religious experience. The garin often establishes Torah classes, events and educational programs to celebrate and commemorate holidays and important dates in the Jewish calendar.

Organizations
As the idea of Garinim Toraniim spread, more Garinim were established throughout the country. Organizations such as Shaalei Torah and Keren Moreshet were founded to establish and support these new garinim.

Shaalei Torah was the first organization to realize the need for a unified body to connect garinim. The organization began as a small garin in Beit Shemesh in the 1980’s. After successfully establishing the Beit Shemesh Garin and effecting significant social improvements, it expanded its scope to provide support for the establishment of new Garinim. It provides a venue in which established garinim can share their experience with newer ones. Shaalei Torah has helped to establish a network of Garinim and offers them guidance and funding. In some of those garinim, it plays a continuing role, and in some a founding role until the new garin can function independently.

List of Garinim
Acho Beit Shemesh (Shaalei Torah) Chatzor (Shaalei Torah) Dimona (Shaalei Torah) Emek Chefer Gedera (Shaalei Torah) Givat Olga (Shaalei Torah) Herzeliah Holon Kadima (Shaalei Torah) Katamonim (Shaalei Torah) Katzrin (Shaalei Torah) Kiryat Malachi Kiryat Shmoneh Kiryat Yovel, Jeurusalem (Shaalei Torah) Lod Maalot Tarshicha Netivot Or Yehuda (Shaalei Torah) Ramat Gan(Shaalei Torah) Ramat HaSharon (Shaalei Torah) Ramlah Rosh Ha’ayin Sderot (Shaalei Torah) Tel Aviv Tzfat Yafo Yerucham