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Tu B’Shevat is my favorite holiday! It
is the precursor to Earth Day (April
22nd) and to the environmental movement.
Our people’s special relationship with trees
dates back to biblical days. The Torah
instructs us (Leviticus 19:23-25) that for
the first three years after a tree has been
planted, one may not eat of its fruit. The
fourth year (which is the first good year)
the fruit should be offered to G-d in praise
and thanks. On the fifth year, and after
that one may eat of the tree’s fruit. Because
of the difficulty of keeping track of which
day each tree was planted, the rabbis
assigned one day on which to celebrate the
“birthday” of all trees. That day, the 15th
of the Hebrew month of Shevat, is call Tu
B’Shevat (meaning the 15th of Shevat) or
Chamisha Asar B’Shevat (also meaning the
15th of Shevat) or Rosh Hashana L’Ilanaot
(the New Year of the Trees).
Tu B’Shevat reminds us that all of
nature was made by G-d, and that we
are partners with G-d in taking care of
our world —including the trees, bodies
of water, the air, and animals. Jewish law
(Deuteronomy 20:19-20) commands that
we not waste or destroy our resources. This
concept, central to Jewish law, is termed
baal tashchit. A precursor to the popular
slogan “Reduce, reuse and recycle!”
When Jewish pioneers resettled Israel
in modern times, they found that through
neglect much of the land had become bare
desert or swampy marsh. By planting and
caring for millions of trees, the pioneers
helped to turn Israel back into a green and
blooming land.
Tu B’Shevat is celebrated by Jews
throughout the world. In Israel, school
children plant trees on Tu B’Shevat — and
here in America we plant trees in Israel
by sending money to the Jewish National
Fund’s tree planting project.
Our Kitah Hey (5th Grade) is working
in partnership with the Jewish National
Fund on a tree planting project. One of
the goals of the tree planting project is the
reforestation of the Carmel Forest after
last year’s devastating forest fire. On Tu
B’Shevat (Wednesday February 8th ), Kitah
Hey will be having a Tu B’Shevat fair, to
educate Kitot Gimmel and Dalet (3rd & 4th
Grades) about the important projects of
the Jewish National Fund in Israel today.
On Erev Tu B’Shevat (Tuesday February
7th) our Gan (Kindergarten), under the
direction of their teacher Merril Feinstein,
will be holding its own Tu B’Shevat seder.
At Tu B’Shevat seders it is common to
enjoy three types of fruit: fruits with pits,
such as dates, peaches, and olives; fruits
with shells, such as nuts, oranges and
pomegranates; and fruits that can be eaten
in their entirety — such as raisins and figs. It
is also customary for Tu B’Shevat seders to
display the seven species which have been
in the land of Israel since ancient times
(Deuteronomy 8:8): wheat, barley, grapes,
figs, pomegranates, olives and honey.
And, of course, Brotherhood’s Third
Annual Tu B’Shevat Seder will take place
on Wednesday, February 8 from 7- 8:15
pm in the Community Room. The seder
will be led by Phil Rothman with musical
accompaniment by Shanna Zell. Jennifer
Greenfeld, Director of Street Planting for
the City of New York Parks & Recreation
Department, will be the special guest
speaker at this year’s seder. Please call
the office to reserve some spots for your
family to attend this fun, funny, musical,
educational event where a light meal will
be served in addition to all the different
species of fruits!
With the arrival of Tu B’Shevat, spring
begins in Israel. We take vicarious pleasure
in celebrating the beginning of Spring!
Wishing you a fruit-filled Tu B’Shevat!
L’Shalom,
Barbara Simon
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