“Trees” springing up around the synagogue where I teach herald the coming of Tu B’Shvat. Although the weather for many of us is decidedly wintry, in the Hebrew month of Shvat, we engage our students in a joyful birthday celebration for the trees. In recent years, Tu B’Shvat has also been observed with ecological projects involving re-cycling and conservation, both locally and in Israel. This past Sunday, families entering our synagogue for religious school were greeted by a jaunty “tree” perched on a sturdy chair in the center of the lobby. The three foot tall tree trunk was made from a rectangular cardboard carton painted in woodsy shades of brown and black. A bright-eyed face grinning out under a lush green canopy of paper leaves completed the cheerful arboreal character. Families on their way to T’filah, paused to read the sign attached to the tree trunk. The sign said: “Hi, I’m Ilan the Tree! Feed me money so our congregation can plant trees in Israel AND help reforest New Mexico after the wildfires. Help me plant trees locally and in Israel by feeding me Tzedakah. Todah Rabah (in Hebrew letters).” A slot in the trunk provided a handy way for families to contribute on the spot. The tree was designed by our Director of Lifelong Learning, and the manager of the Education Office. At the end of the religious school session, Tu B’Shvat art projects that had been completed during the morning were displayed on the floor around the tree for families to see. A different tree expressed the spirit of Tu B’Shvat in the school wing of the synagogue, where the religious school shares space with a lively, thriving Early Childhood Center. The walls in the hallway reflect the creative array of learning experiences offered by the Early Childhood Center throughout the year. Their tree, made of twisted brown paper, spreads its branches over a section of the wall. The tree branches display craft projects – plump red apples for the High Holidays, colorful autumn leaves, glittery snowflakes, and now, birthday cards! In honor of Tu B’Shvat, Early Childhood students designed colorful cards wishing trees a happy birthday and carrying individual messages about trees which the childen had dictated. [Note that both tree displays were crafted from re-cycled materials.] How are you and your students/family/friends celebrating Tu B’shvat?
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