My name is Gary Yitzhak Glasman, and I am from South of France where food, specifically a Mediterranean diet, is an important part of the culture. In my childhood home, my father and my grandparents always loved to cook and instilled in me an appreciation of home-made, fresh and nutritious cuisine. In my 20s, I went to university in France to study sustainable tourism where I was exposed to ethical food systems and agrotourism. Following my studies, I traveled the world (Europe, Latin America & India) working in restaurants, farms, and ecotourism projects. Eventually, my travels brought me to Jerusalem where I committed myself to a kosher diet, immersed myself in the teachings of Rabbi Nachman and completed a Permaculture design certificate.

  Since leaving Israel and coming to the States in 2017, I have been working to bring together my passions for Judaism, gardening, and food. I worked as a freelance permaculture design gardener helping families transform lawns into edible landscapes in California and in Pennsylvania. Since 2019, I was employed in Jewish day schools and summer camps with children of all ages, teaching Jewish eco-principles through hands-on gardening and ecology classes. I am also a trained Mashgiach who has worked for New Square Kashrus, Orthodox Union, and Star K overseeing milk production, salad operation and restaurant kitchens. 

  After spending five years teaching others about gardening and growing food I decided to study nutrition science and became a Certified Nutrition Coach with the National Academy of Sports Medicine. I believe in following an organic whole food plant based diet while to fuel your best life!  Now I want to connect my passion for personal, community, and planetary sustainability by helping others achieve their lifestyle goals and increase their vitality in an enjoyable manner.

  Something else occurred to me almost 10 years ago. I had a really painful herniated disc causing a terrible sciatica radiating pain so intensely in my lower body that I couldn’t stand up or walk. I went to the emergency in Sacramento CA, and they couldn’t really fix it so they prescribed me a strong dose of Ibuprofen daily, and this for weeks. After a week or two, my stomach and body couldn’t bear with it. They also prescribed me physical therapy, which worked slowly. The truth is that I had to lose weight and gain muscle especially in my core to stabilize and support my trunk and spine to get rid of this paralyzing sciatica. I was only 34 and yet felt old, in pain, losing mobility and feeling irritable. It took me years, trying different therapies, massages, supplements. The pain went away slightly but always came back with what I’m calling “crisis” pinching my nerves like an electric shok in my lower back and legs. This chronic pain push me to regularly visit the chiropractor, get a therapeutic massage, spend money in natural pain killer, supplements, and more.. until I really took it on me to change my lifestyle to absolutely lose weight. I decided to get educated and be disciplined, reduce the sugar, fat and carbs. Chose an organic whole food plant based diet, stretch more and train efficiently and it works! I lost 20 lbs in a few month, while I was learning about nutrition to get my certificate. I know it’s possible to become healthy and fit in order to heal, by changing my diet and lifestyle.

“It’s a great mitzvah to always be happy!” Rabbi Nachman