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Formed: 1966 Established: 1966
The Fellowship Community of the Rudolf Steiner Fellowship Foundation
Chestnut Ridge, New York,
United States
 We are an intergenerational community centered around the care of the elderly. Our administration of care extends to the land and the social process. As a community, we seek to work and learn together using the spiritual scientific insights of Rudolf Steiner and the life experiences of many individuals. The Anthroposophical world view is of interest to most in varying degrees. We live on eighty acres of land in a suburban setting 35 miles from NYC. We farm biodynamically, growing most of our own berries and vegetables. We also have a small dairy, chickens, and sheep. Our creative practical work activities (bakery, candles, wood, metal, weavery, publishing press, gardens, medical practice, outlet store, pottery), help support the life of the community. We receive no state or federal funding. Our work activities are recreational and socially enlivening for all ages and modestly income producing. A sense of productivity is vital for many. Other Anthroposophically oriented institutions in the neighborhood include Sunbridge College, Spring Valley Eurythmy School, The Threefold Foundation, The Pfeiffer Center, and Green Meadow Waldorf School. We are open to new elders and active coworkers and families who have an interest in working and learning together in this intergenerational setting. Individuals with special trainings, artists, nurses, social workers, doctors, farmers, administrators, teachers, and mechanically skills with a quest for a working out of an Anthroposophical, spiritual, scientific world view could be a huge support in our effort at a rather unique social therapeutic endeavor underway for nearly 45 years.Please contact us if you have interest in becoming an elder member, co-worker, or volunteer.
 
Contact:
Rudolf Steiner Fellowship Foundation
241 Hungry Hollow Rd
Chestnut Ridge, New York 10977-6111 United States
Phone: 845-356-8494 ext. 2
Email This Community!
Former/Other Names: Rudolf Steiner Fellowship Community in d2.2
Last Updated:10/6/2008
 
Visitors Accepted
 (we welcome visitors)
Visitor Process: Call or write or email intention to visit. We give one-hour tours, usually on Saturdays. Visitors must call ahead for confirmation of tour date. We like to send out information first so please plan to receive and read material before coming or read material on our website.
Network Affiliations:
Camphill Association of North America (CANA)
:: affiliated with Weleda, PAAM and with Camphill through Anthroposophy
Population
Adult Members:
125
(70 elderly, 50 full and part time coworkers)
Child Members:
15
(0-18 years of age)
Non-member Residents:
50
(total part time volunteers)
Open to new adults:
Yes
(coworkers & elderly)
Open to new children:
Yes
(accompanied by one or two parents or guardians)
Gender Balance:
40% M 60% F
Open to which gender(s):
All genders welcome
Age Focus:
Seniors
(Work with all ages however primary focus is care of elderly.)
Age Restrictions:
Yes
(Age 50 for elders and age 18 for co-workers)
Which Ages Restricted:
No Restrictions
(none if accompanied by parents with young-no upper limit.)
Government
Decision Making:
By consensus
(Responsible elders and younger co-workers can become members of an administrative group. A group of Trustees is part of the process in governance. They work together to plan the future.)
Identified Leader:
Yes
(Dr. & Mrs. Scharff, founders)
Leadership Core Group:
Yes
(The Executive Circle takes up issues suggested by but not able to be completed by the other Circles, Work Groups, and/or individuals. Very serious issues are taken up by the Trustees, all of whom are quite closely involved with this social endeavor.)
Labor and Money
Financial Style:
Other
(Elder Members have independent finances. Co-Worker stipends based on need.)
Open to Members with Pre-existing Debt:
Yes
(Financial concerns are negotiated on an individual basis.)
Labor Contribution:
Expected
(Individual work schedules are based on needs of the community and the abilities of each individual. A deep expression of work, truly human action, comes out of love.)
Join Fee:
No Answer
(Elders pay Life Lease fee. Retirees (Members) pay rent. Coworkers receive a stipend and numerous supporting benefits)
Regular Fees:
No
(The elderly pay rent. Coworkers receive a stipend in addition to board and room.)
Land and Buildings
Rural
(We live on 80 acres surrounded by residential suburban Spring Valley and surrounding towns and villages)
Area:
80 acres (32.4 hectares)
(woods, fields, gardens & community buildings)
Land Owned By:
Another form of Non-profit
(RSFF-(we also lease some from our sister institution, the Threefold Educational Fndtn)
Number of Residences:
10
(four for the elderly, eight for coworkers)
Cohousing:
Yes
(some apartments are individiual, some houses share common rooms such as kitchen, laundry, living room)
Food, etc.
Percentage of Food Grown:
21-50%
(Depending on the weather and coworker population to tend the crops)
Share Community Meals:
Nearly all meals
(independent elderly and coworkers by choice, assisted living members always are served at the common meal by co-workers)
Dietary Choice or Restrictions:
We all share a common diet
(vegetarian offered whenever meat is served, doctor supervised special diets)
Dietary Practice:
Primarily vegetarian
Alcohol Use:
Prohibited
(strongly discouraged)
Tobacco Use:
Seldom used
(individual choice but discouraged in public. Specifically designated areas for smokers.)
Social Factors
Open to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and/or Transgender members:
No Answer
(applications are considered on an individiual basis to those who can embrace social life style here.)
Restrictions on Romantic Relationships (between consenting adults):
Yes
(Relationships are discreet and private)
Shared Spiritual Path:
Yes
(We strive to serve humanity individually and collectively) Life style supports this social responsibility and service and selfless self-fulfillment.)
Which Spiritual Path(s):
Other
(The community is founded on anthroposophical spiritual science. It is not a religion. However, it embraces all religions and is related to other spiritual movements. We are non-denominational.)
Educational Style(s):
Private school off the property
(most of our children attend Green Meadow Waldorf School)
 
 


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