Hanefesh USY

Shalom, Hanefesh!!!

As we all begin to dig ourselves out of ALL THIS CRAZY SNOW, take some time to hug a tree. Why? Because today is Tu B'shevat, the Jewish Arbor Day, and the official new year for trees! That's right! I bet you thought the Jewish New Year was way back in Tishrei, when we celebrated Rosh Hashanah. There are actually 4 times in the Jewish calendar that we celebrate the new year (isnt that cool?): Rosh Hashanah, Tu B'shevat, Pesach (Nisan), and one in Elul.

But, back to the trees. It's their holiday, after all. Trees are really important to Judaism. Think about Eitz Chayim (the tree of life), the Garden of Eden, the Chupah at Jewish weddings. Trees aren't just plants to us; they're a symbol for our lives and for the Jewish people.

We traditionally celebrate Tu B'Shevat (which stands for the 15th of the month of Shevat) by having a Tu B'shevat seder- kind of like a Passover seder, but with no matzah and lots of fruit! And of course, we have lots of yummy food! Since this is all about the trees, we eat different fruits that are common to Israel. We eat almonds, dates, avocados, carobs, figs, pomegranates, apricots, mangos, raisins, olives, and papayas. Mmmmm.

So, how can you celebrate Tu B'shevat? (You know, if you find it too cold to run around outside hugging trees.) Eat some yummy fruits, read "The Giving Tree," and then PLANT A TREE IN ISRAEL!!! Israel is currently the only country in the world that plants more trees than they cut down, and that is largely due to the Jewish National Fund. For just $10 (I know! $10!), you can plant a tree in Israel and make the world a greener place. Go to www.jnf.org/trees to plant your very own tree in Eretz Yisrael! This is such an awesome way to say "Thank you" to trees for everything they do for us (and they do quite a lot), and support Israel, too! What could be better?

Chag Sameach!! Hug some trees, and spread the Tu B'shevat love!!

B'ahavah,
Suzanne :)


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Tu B'Shevat: February 12th/13th, 2006 Shalom, Hanefesh!!! As we all begin to dig ourselves out of ALL THIS CRAZY SNOW, take some time to hug a tree. Why? Because today is Tu B'shevat, the Jewish Arbor Day, and the official new year for trees! That's right! I bet you thought the Jewish New Year was way back in Tishrei, when we celebrated Rosh Hashanah. There are actually 4 times in the Jewish calendar that we celebrate the new year (isnt that cool?): Rosh Hashanah, Tu B'shevat, Pesach (Nisan), and one in Elul. But, back to the trees. It's their holiday, after all. Trees are really important to Judaism. Think about Eitz Chayim (the tree of life), the Garden of Eden, the Chupah at Jewish weddings. Trees aren't just plants to us; they're a symbol for our lives and for the Jewish people. We traditionally celebrate Tu B'Shevat (which stands for the 15th of the month of Shevat) by having a Tu B'shevat seder- kind of like a Passover seder, but with no matzah and lots of fruit! And of course, we have lots of yummy food! Since this is all about the trees, we eat different fruits that are common to Israel. We eat almonds, dates, avocados, carobs, figs, pomegranates, apricots, mangos, raisins, olives, and papayas. Mmmmm. So, how can you celebrate Tu B'shevat? (You know, if you find it too cold to run around outside hugging trees.) Eat some yummy fruits, read "The Giving Tree," and then PLANT A TREE IN ISRAEL!!! Israel is currently the only country in the world that plants more trees than they cut down, and that is largely due to the Jewish National Fund. For just $10 (I know! $10!), you can plant a tree in Israel and make the world a greener place. Go to www.jnf.org/trees to plant your very own tree in Eretz Yisrael! This is such an awesome way to say "Thank you" to trees for everything they do for us (and they do quite a lot), and support Israel, too! What could be better? Chag Sameach!! Hug some trees, and spread the Tu B'shevat love!! B'ahavah, Suzanne :)	Suzanne Chipkin Religious Education Grade: 12 Chapter: SCUSY School: Longmeadow High School E-mail: reled@hanefesh.org
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