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Tu B'Shevat

The New Year of the Trees

In 2021, Tu B'Shevat begins at sundown on Wednesday, January 27 and goes through the evening of Thursday, January 28.

Tu B’Shevat is considered the New Year of the Trees. It marks the start of spring in Israel, when trees begin to bloom after winter. Tu B'shevat has become a Jewish Earth Day, celebrating nature and the importance of protecting the environment.  The holiday is observed on the 15th (Tu) of the Hebrew month of Shevat. Many families celebrate with a seder, similar to the Passover seder, that includes four cups of wine or grape juice as well as several types of symbolic fruits that grow on trees.  Besides the seder, many families spend Tu B'Shevat planting trees or other plants or taking other actions to show some love for the environment.

You can celebrate at home using videos and playlist below.  For more ideas or to learn more about Tu B'Shevat, check out:

PJ Library

Reform Judaism

18 Doors

If you're looking for the instructions for the activities in your Tu B'Shevat Kef Kit (activity bag), find them here.

Why do we celebrate trees in the middle of winter while the trees are resting?  Good question!  It's winter here in St. Louis, but in Israel, the trees are starting to bloom.  In this video, Dana, our Shinshinit from Israel, shows us some of the trees growing in Israel now right in her father's field!

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