Jan. 23rd, 2011
Dear Friends,
Shavua Tov,
Tu B`shvat has become a very significant holiday in Israeli reality, in the last few decades, since it connects the Jewish people with Eretz Israel (the land of Israel). There is a good reason Tu B`shvat was declared as Israel Keneset’s birthday.
In the Talmud times Tu B`shvat represented an argument between Bait Hillel and Bait Shamai as to when should taxes on fruit be paid. Bait Shamai said it should be paid on the first of the month of Shavat, Bait Hillel said it should be paid on the 15th (T”u) of the month of Shvat.
In Middle Ages Tu B`shvat was a day Jews remembered with yearning and longing for the fruits of Israel.
During the 15th century, the Kabalistic Jews in the city of Tzafad created a Tu B`shvat Seder, in a similar manner to the Pesach Seder. Slowly and over time, this Seder took a firm hold and in modern days have become one the main leading aspects of the holiday.
In early 20th century, at the beginning of Zionism, parents used to take their children to plant trees all over Israel and this is how Tu B`shvat became the holiday of planting.
It is no wonder Or Hadash holds so many celebrations in Tu B`shvat, I had the honor of participating in at least 10 Tu B`shvat Seders this year, 7 of them in one day.
And now, to some Tu B`shvat news:
1. On Tuesday, Jan. 18th, our Executive Director Ami Perlman and I participated in planting a new small forest where the Carmel fire devastated an area at the bottom of the mountain, with an interfaith group of leaders from Haifa and its surrounding. The forest was given the name of “The Neighboring Forest”. The event was accompanied by local and national media representatives. Some of our partners in this beautiful act included the Imam of the Achmedia community in Haifa, Jalal Hatami of the Baha’i international community, Rabbi Andy Vogel who is spending a sabbatical with his family in Haifa, Druze, Christian and Muslim representatives. The group was led to the Neighboring Forest location by the Alternative youth of Wadi Nisnas high school in Haifa.
2. On Thursday, Jan. 20th, we celebrated Tu Bishvat which has become a holiday that is connecting us to the land, connecting us to our roots, allowing us a breather to look at nature around and appreciate Mother Earth.
Tu Bishvat is also a highly ecological awareness holiday in Israel. Although it is not a holiday mentioned in the Torah, in recent years it has become more and more meaningful, especially this year due to the devastating Carmel fire.
It seemed like Mother Nature was cooperating well with the holiday, since we had a phenomenally beautiful weather, perfect for planting, perfect for men, flora and high spirit.
First we celebrated with all three Or Hadash preschools. The challenge was to give each preschool the most and best explanation fitting their age. Our 5 year olds are so smart! They had such delightful answers as to the question what does Tu B`shvat (the new year for the trees) means, why is it important to have trees and plants, and how do we nourish them.
3. After the Seder with our preschools, we went to celebrate a Tu B`shvat Seder with Mirjam Jurman at Beit Hagefen rehabilitation center. We actually held 2 separate Seders there, one for the Nursing department and one for the General department. I was accompanied by Chava Mayer, Vered Ivtsan, Pnina Suchetzki and Pinchas Somocho. Other congregants were not able to join us since they participated in our Bible study tour to Jerusalem, planned by Ami and Anat Perlman. We sang holiday songs, ate dried fruit and gave blessings.
From there we went to a nursing home in Kibbutz Sha’ar Ha’amakim where our congregant Ilze Riger lives. Ilze used to be Or Hadash congregational coordinator in Rabbi Samuels and rabbi Rotem’s days.
In late afternoon I celebrated a Seder with “Einstein” elementary school which resides in Or Hadash neighborhood
In the evening, we had our main Tu B`shvat Seder in our synagogue. Or Hadash choir - Shir Hadash, along with our youth, sang holiday songs. Bar/Bat Mizvah families, congregants, friends and guests filled our synagogue with a festive atmosphere. It was beautiful!
4. On Friday, Jan. 21st, as part of our Tu B`shvat tradition we took our preschools to plant new flowers in Gan Danielle which is a playground dedicated to the memory of Danielle Menchel who was killed in a terror attack in 2002. Children and parents filled the playground with joyous voices and planted new flowers. Danielle’s parents: Doron and Nurit Menchel thanked Or Hadash for this beautiful and touching tradition and for the beautiful flowers that will beautify the garden all throughout the summer.
5. We are thrilled to tell you our lovely friends Susan Golboro and her beautiful daughter Stacy are here visiting us from Philly. Susan and Stacy arrived Friday, Jan. 21st and will stay with us until Tuesday when they will travel to Jerusalem. We couldn`t be happier having friends we love so much with us, in this beautiful spring like weather and Tu B`shvat celebrations. Susan and Stacy arrived to our Kabalat Shabbat straight from the airport and took part in the Tu B`shvat Seder.
Wishing you all a wonderful week,
In Friendship,