Helping and Hoping for a New Year of Peace and Growth
Turning the page on the calendar to a new year is a natural time to mark the growth and changes in your family and to connect with the cycles of nature!
Tu B’Shevat (“the birthday of the trees”) is an annual holiday connected to agriculture in Israel and around the world. This holiday is celebrated on the 15th of the month of Shevat (which falls on Wednesday, January 24th at sundown this year). Just as you plant the seeds for your child’s Jewish identity through PJ Library, you can also grow your child’s understanding of Jewish values by learning about Tu B’Shevat.
This January, even though in our area the trees are largely bare and plants are dormant, they’re starting to bloom in Israel. To connect with the spirit of the holiday, plant seeds indoors to be taken outside when the ground thaws or take a walk and note the changes in the trees in your neighborhood. This is also a great time to take sample foods grown in Israel or take a trip to one of the winter farmer’s markets to connect with local agriculture. Knowing where your food comes from is an important element of the Jewish value of Shomrei Adamah (guardians of the land). Use this time to talk about how food grows and how it gets on our plates and in our bellies. Discuss food insecurity; then plan actions your family can take to help.
For more ideas about how you can connect to Jewish values, check out this month’s events and resources.
B’shalom (with peace),
Sarah
Sarah
Additional Resources
- Celebrating the Birthday of the Trees | Here’s the Story post
- MLK Day of Service Opportunities in Greater Washington
- 7 Books About Making the World A Better Place | PJ Library
- The Story of Honi and the Carob Tree
- Planting for the Next Generation on MLK Day and Tu B’Shevat | Here’s the Story post
- Jewish Books to Read for MLK Day
- Honoring the Legacy of Dr. King Through Action | Here’s the Story post