TuB’Shevat is my favorite holiday in the Jewish year. What could be better than celebrating
Janet Tatz, Jewish Educator, with the table set for a festive TuB’Shevat celebration on campus
the first inklings of Spring half way between the winter solstice and spring equinox, especially since snow is most often still on the ground in the Northern part of the U.S. at that time of year?
The Jewish students, teachers, a parent and a friend, recently celebrated TuB’Shevat (literally, the 15th of the Jewish month of Shevat) here at Intermountain. An ancient holiday, first celebrated by the kabbalists during the middle ages, TuB’Shevat, also known as The New Year of the Trees, recognizes and celebrates the returning of springtime. More specifically, TuB’Shevat celebrates that time of year when the sap begins to rise in the almond trees (both in the Land of Israel and the southern most states in the U.S. of A.).
The holiday is celebrated by eating various fruits and nuts that grow on trees: apples, dates, almonds, carob, oranges, etc. Modelled after the Passover seder, four cups of grape juice are enjoyed, each with a varying amount of red or white grape juice to symbolize the four seasons. Songs are sung. Blessings are said and stories are told. What could be more fun?!
A wise man once said, “Speak to me of G-d” and the almond tree blossomed. Chag samaech/happy holiday. Welcome Spring!
It wasn’t all just eating almonds and fruit! Janet and Jim took the children through a Haggadah for TuB’Shevat
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