Shalom All,

Tu B’Shvat, the “New Year for Trees,” arrives quietly on the Jewish calendar, yet it carries a powerful and timely message. In ancient times, this date marked a practical turning point for agriculture in the Land of Israel: the moment when trees were considered to have entered a new year of growth. Over generations, Tu B’Shvat has grown into something deeper: a celebration of renewal, responsibility, and hope.

The rabbis teach that human beings are compared to trees of the field. Like trees, we require nourishment, patience, and strong roots. Like trees, we experience seasons, times of visible growth and times when everything seems dormant beneath the surface. Tu B’Shvat reminds us that even when growth is not immediately apparent, life is still unfolding.

One of the ways we celebrate Tu B’Shvat today is with a Tu B’Shvat seder. Modeled loosely after the Passover seder, this ritual invites us to eat fruits of the land, especially those associated with Israel, while reflecting on the spiritual dimensions of growth and creation. Traditionally, fruits are grouped into categories: those with hard shells and soft interiors, those that are entirely edible, and those with pits inside. Each becomes a metaphor for different aspects of our lives: what we protect, what we offer freely, and what potential lies hidden within us. The Tu B’Shvat seder also incorporates four cups of wine or juice, moving from white to red, symbolizing the transition from winter to spring. As the colors deepen, we are reminded that renewal often happens gradually, step by step.

Another way we celebrate Tu B’Shvat is by planting trees in Israel. The Jewish National Fund has been “making the desert bloom” for over a hundred years. They offer ways for individuals and groups to bring trees, groves, and forests back to the Holy Land. You can always go to their website at jnf.org or donate individually, but this year, the Religious School would like to plant, at least, a “garden” of trees from Temple Judah, which requires a minimum donation of $500. We’ll be discussing it this Sunday as we celebrate Tu B’Shvat together.

This year Tu B’Shvat falls on February 1st. We will be celebrating with a beautiful seder that evening at 6:00. There is still time to RSVP to join. I hope you can make it.

I wish you all a Happy Tu B’Shvat.

Rabbi Todd