Rodef Shalom Biblical Botanical Garden

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

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The Rodef Shalom Biblical Botanical Garden in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was established in 1986 by Rabbi Walter Jacob and his wife, horticulturalist Irene Jacob, and opened to the public in 1987.

This 0.3-acre garden is located on the grounds of the historic Rodef Shalom Congregation, the oldest Jewish congregation in Western Pennsylvania, dating back to the 1840s. The garden features more than 100 plants mentioned in the Bible that were once grown in ancient Israel, including cedars, figs, olives, dates, and pomegranates, all labeled with biblical names and verses.

It also includes a waterfall, a desert area, and a representation of the Jordan River flowing from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea, creating an immersive experience of biblical flora and landscapes. The garden is free to visit from June through mid-September and offers educational programming focused on ancient Near Eastern horticulture, connecting visitors to biblical history through plant life.​