By Ramona L. Brand. Director of Youth Learning
Let’s Hear it for the Trees!
Tu Bi’Shvat arrives on the 13th of this month.
One of the most “grounded” of Jewish holidays, Tu Bi’shvat is a harbinger of spring with practices that include ritual seder), specific foods to eat (what Jewish holiday doesn’t), and celebrates the love and protection of our sacred, natural world.
While spring has sprung in Israel, the weather here in Richmond can still be fickle, with winter-like temperatures hanging on. The joy of Tu Bi’Shvat is assisting Mother Nature in bringing in spring, celebrating our first fruits and ensuring our Green future by planting trees.
The religious school will participate in all of these activities and more. Traditional learning will take the form of Tu Bi’shvat seders at the school. Ecological learning will include studying texts that teach us how to be Shomrei H’Eretz (Guardians of the Land), planting seeds, taking nature walks, and learning how to preserve the bounty of our Earth.
This year the Religious School will also participate in the Jewish National Fund tree planting in Israel annual initiative. There are many ways to celebrate a holiday that honors our most valuable resource, our Earth.
See some more photos from the Hanukkah Celebration
10 Fun Facts About Tu Bi’shvat
- Tu Bi’shvat is one of the four Jewish New Years.
- It is celebrated on the 15th day of the Hebrew Month Shvat; the name of the holiday literally means The 15th of Shvat.
- Tu Bi’shvat was originally a tax deadline for tithing, but later became a festival to celebrate trees and the environment. • Trees are a symbol of life for Jews, and the holiday is a festival of nature.
- Customs include eating fruit, planting trees, and holding a seder.
- In Israel and the United States, Tu Bishvat is similar to Earth Day, and people raise awareness about the environment.
- In Israel, people plant trees to honor loved ones or in memory of friends.
- People eat fruit symbolic of the spring harvest, and some eat a fruit they haven’t eaten that season. They will say the Shechecheyanu when eating a new fruit.
- Tu Bi’shvat seders center around the Shivat Haminim. The Seven Species (shivat haminim) are fruits that are abundant in Israel, including wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates.
- Almonds can be associated with Tu Bi’shvat because almond trees are generally in bloom at this time in Israel.
Young Family Shabbat: Saturday Feb. 1
Enjoy a musical Shabbat with Rabbi Rachel Salston and Ramona Brand. Songs, stories, movement and more engage the littles and parents alike. A yummy breakfast is served directly after services with time for socializing with friends. A fun-filled service designed for the Wiggles.
Date: Saturday, Feb. 1/ Monthly Theme: Ahavah, A Lovely Shabbat/ 9:30 am
Enjoy a lively 30-minute service followed by family friendly dinner or muffin breakfast.
Location: Temple Beth-El, 3330 Grove Ave. Richmond, VA 23221 / Okun Chapel
Dinner is complimentary but kindly RSVP for dinner to Ramona at r.brand@bethelrichmond.org
Young Family Shabbat alternates months between Friday nights and Saturday mornings. See the remaining 2025 schedule that follows:
Saturday, February 1 / Friday, March 7 / Saturday, April 5 / Friday, May 3 / Saturday, June 7
February Religious School Calendar
Sundays: Feb.9, 23 / 9 a.m. – noon/ grades Pre-K through 10
Wednesdays: Feb. 5, 12, 29, 26 / 4:15 – 6:15 p.m./ grades 3-7
Pre-K meets Feb. 9 & Feb. 23
Better Together meets Feb. 9 & Feb. 23
6th Grade Family Learning meets 1/9
Confirmation Class trip: Feb. 16 & 17
