Tu Bishvat

Tu Bishvat Begins Wednesday Evening, January 24

Tu Bishvat, or the New Year of the Trees, is Jewish Arbor Day. The holiday is observed on the 15th (tu) of the Hebrew month of Shvat. Scholars believe that originally Tu Bishvat was an agricultural festival, marking the emergence of spring. In the 16th century, Kabbalists created a ritual for Tu Bishvat that is similar to a Passover seder. Today, many Jews hold a modern version of the Tu Bishvat seder each year. The holiday has also become a tree-planting festival in Israel, in which Israelis and Jews around the world plant trees in honor or in memory of loved ones and friends. Below you will find a schedule of Tu Bishvat ways to celebrate, Tu Bishvat resources and Beth Am Dayenu Circle progress update.

WAYS TO CELEBRATE

Beth Am Women Tu Bishvat Seder
Wednesday, January 24, 7:00 PM, Rooms 5/6
We will enjoy and experience 15 different fruits and nuts (and chocolate) with all our senses as we move through the 4 seasons and together, celebrate abundance and blessing. Registration is now closed

Oneg Shabbat, Sponsored by Dayenu Circle in Honor of the Taichs
Friday, January 26, 7:30 PM, Social Hall
We will celebrate Dayenu Circle’s successes over the last year and say goodbye to our consummate leaders and volunteers, Chris and Tim Taich, as they move on to the next phase of their lives. If you'd like to join us in sponsoring the oneg Shabbat, please send a check to Beth Am with “Dayenu Fund for Sustainability” in the memo, or online using this link. Anything received over the cost of the oneg will be contributed to the Dayenu Fund for Sustainability and used to continue the work Chris and Tim started. (Donations of homemade goodies for the oneg Shabbat are also very much appreciated.) If you’d like to leave a comment about Chris and Tim, you may do so using our online Kudoboard which they will have access to after the Oneg Shabbat. LEARN MORE

Parent Wisdom Circle: A Lesson From Tu Bishvat for Parents of PreK-5th Graders
Sunday, January 28, 9:30 AM, Social Hall Patio
As parents, we are constantly planting seeds for our children to learn new lessons and build new skills. It is easy to get frustrated, or worried that things will never change. How can we celebrate the little victories along the way — notice the little sprouts of change? How can we trust in growth over decades — and not just days, weeks and months? What can Jewish wisdom teach us about planting seeds and patience? All parents of PreK-5th Graders are welcome. We'll start our morning with coffee, bagels and schmoozing, then discuss parenting challenges, and share resources and ideas with each other. Parent Wisdom Circle is facilitated by Melissa Kelley, LMFT, a Beth Am member and parent. LEARN MORE

HOLIDAY RESOURCES

• Beth Am Youth Education
• ReformJudaism.org
• MyJewish Learning.com
• Rebekah Lowin
• ModernTribe

DAYENU CIRCLE PROGRESS UPDATE

Beth Am's Dayenu Circle has much to be proud of. Learn more about some of the team's accomplishments from over the past year.