Jewish Post, Indianapolis, Marion County, 9 August 2000 — Page 2

IND 2 August 9. 2000 Couple creates biblical garden in northern Indiana

WARSAW, Ind. — A visit to the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City inspired a northern Indiana Jewish couple to establish a garden of biblical plants near their home. Warsaw Biblical Gardens, at the edge of Warsaw's Central Park is the creation of Howard and Saralee Levin, who are affiliated with Achduth Vesholom congregation in Fort Wayne. The plot had originally been used for the Levin and Sons Scrapyards, Mr. Levin's scrap metal business, but he had the land cleared and erected a stone fountain on the three-quarter-acre plot in 1981 to honor his parents. Aside from that, the land lay fallow, for several years while local offi-

cials pondered whether it should become a parking lot or perhaps be used for a marina. In 1985, Mrs. Levin, after visiting the cathedral garden in New York and several other showplace gardens, initiated the biblical garden to provide a source of comfort and inspiration to visitors. Most of the big trees were added in 1988 or 1989. The Gardens officially opened on June 23,1991. Lush greens complement pale rock and bright blooms. The serene space, encircled by a glacial-stone wall, has several subgardens with 115 biblically based plant species. The gardens include olive trees and a grape arbor. Heimbach says the gardens are one of very few such sites

&andia Down join (Sc&ndi& Down during the month of August to celebrate the grand opening of our new location. Register to win • 2 Standard Classic Down Pillows, valued up to $230 • Feather Body Pillow, valued at $80 • Kennebunk Weavers Throw, valued at $55 • Down Crib Comforter, valued at $95 • French Soap Gift Basket, valued at $30

Redeem this coupon to enjoy 20% off the following items: • featherbeds • travel comforters • fabric soaps • bath towels • robes • bath oils • soaps • lamps • nightlights • stuffed animals • hand-painted guest towels (orders on these items welcome) Sale ends August 31, 2000. No Exceptions &andia Down Fashion Mall Commons 8487 Union Chapel Road Indianapolis, Indiana 46240 (317) 205-9620

in the country and are mentioned in a Time-Life book about "spiritual gardening." Heimbach says most of the plants have healing properties, — broadly interpreted as physical, mental or spiritually healing. His "stars" include the castor bean, hollyhock (mallow) windflower (lily of the fields) and azur flax (linen). He says there's a "grandfather" clause that lets him include a lot of color as "flowers of the field." Warsaw has a central lake that helps nourish the garden, which has mini-environments of meadow, brook, orchard, forest, desert and crops. Garden curator Paul Heimbach maintains the plants which he says mainly are plants mentioned in the Hebrew bible, but include a few others. "The New Testament is very slim on mention of plants," he says. "There are a few because Sara was trying

to be cross-denominational, so there's even one from the Catholic apocrypha." "We (Jews) are a very rare bunch up here," says Heimbach. Warsaw is in Kosciusko County, named for the Polish general who helped our new nation win the Revolutionary War. Heimbach says he started with 55 species and has to replant about 50 species each spring. His main job is with an Internet service provider, so he enjoys getting away f-om the screen and keyboard and

getting his hands into the earth, he says. With his computer savvy, Heimbach has publicized the garden on an Internet website, www.warsawbiblicalgaidens.oig The site includes pictures and maps of the gardens and a virtual store for selling postcards, books, photos and wreaths. Heimbach also brings people to the gardens by the busload and acts as their tour guide. Seven volunteers care for the gardens and Heimbach would welcome more, he says.

Campaign surpasses previous; at $4.4 M

As usual, the Federation campaign is healthy. Executive Vice President Harry Nadler says the campaign is at about $4.4 million, which is 11 percent up from last year, card for card. The new campaign will

kick off at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, in the Hasten Hebrew Academy. Following the kickoff there will be training sessions for the campaign team on Aug 29,30 and 31.

Why gamble

with your life/ [

It takes in<it a fmA7 mimifoc ...

HeartScan of Indiana. D S rAN ° ARD f ° r SCanners ' and now available from

A simple heart test...

toTakeTe 167^^ and V 01 " fami 'y

...may save your life.

A statewide network of card'olngkts

and primary care physicians.

HeartScan of Indiana

Toll Free: 877.429.8553 . 317.338.6200 . heamcan^h ROad ' SUiU ‘ 180 ’ ,ndiana P olis ' iN 46200 •For more Information about I K< | h eCare 8 r <>Up.COm • WWW.thecaregroup.com ° oj»y call us for a free brochure or log on to our web site