Celebrate Tu B'Shevat Tu B'Shevat, the fifteenth of the month of Shevat, takes place on January 19-20, 2011. We'll celebrate this rich holiday, known as the New Year for Trees, at the congregational Kiddush on Shabbat morning, January 22, with some of the traditional fruits which grow in Israel. We thank Adath’s Etz Chayim Environmental Initiative for their kind donation of these special foods. Why do we celebrate a New Year for Trees in the middle of winter? In Israel this is the approximate time when the sap begins to flow once again, marking the "rebirth" of the tree following its winter hibernation. For Minnesotans, it serves as a reminder that spring will indeed come, as well as a link to our history and roots. And for all, it is an opportunity to rededicate ourselves to caring for the environment!

Plant a Tree in Israel

Planting a tree in Israel is the perfect way to show you care. You can plant trees for many different reasons and help green the land of Israel while sending a special gift to a friend or loved one. For each order, a beautiful certificate of your choice is mailed to the recipient with your own personal message. Plant trees for all of these occasions: birth, Bar or Bat Mitzvah, graduation, wedding, birthday, get-well wish, or in memory of someone special. Over the last 100 years, JNF has planted over 240 million trees in the land of Israel. Click here to purchase trees through JNF.

Additional Resources:

For more information on how to make your own Tu B’Shvat Seder and to learn more about Jewish views on the environment, explore the articles and links below. Further resources are available in the Adath library and from the rabbis.

Hazon: Jewish Inspiration, Sustainable Communities

MyJewishLearning.com - Gateway to Jewish Exploration

JewishEncyclopedia.com - Online Jewish Encyclopedia

Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life

Tu B’Shevat

(the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat) is the Jewish new year for trees. In January/February in the Land of Israel, trees begin to form their fruit. This is also an excellent time for planting new saplings. For Jews living in most places in the diaspora, Tu B’Shevat falls in the middle of cold winters. Over the centuries, therefore, the holiday has served as an important link between Jews and the land of Israel. In recent years, its commemoration has been used to heighten the awareness of ecology and the responsibility of each person to preserve and enhance the earth.