By PJ Library Parent Gal Shiri Birnbaum
My daughter, Carmel and I, took part in a Tu B’Shevat activity organized by PJ Library and Kehilla RVA.
Each child received a scavenger hunt kit, and we all walked along the path looking for objects. The sounds of children laughing, leaves crunching as a squirrel ran by, and the wind rustling through the trees made it a fun, lively experience.
I watched my daughter and her friend get excited when they found a pine tree stump, which was the next item on their list. As I watched them, my thoughts wandered.
I’ve always felt a strong connection to nature – whether from my time as a guide with the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, as a birder, or even through my daughter’s name, Carmel, which means “fertile land.”
In that moment, I thought about my time in Israel, where I lived for over 10 years surrounded by the pine trees of the Jerusalem Forest. As an Israeli transplant now living in Richmond, I was reminded of the words of one of my favorite Israeli poets, Leah Goldberg:
Perhaps only migrating birds know—
suspended between earth and sky—
the heartache of two homelands.
With you I was transplanted twice,
with you, pine trees, I grew—
roots in two disparate landscapes.
I also thought about the verse from the Book of Job, 14:7: “For a tree has hope; if it is cut, it will again renew itself, and its bough will not cease.”
I’m grateful for the Jewish community that has helped me put down roots in my new home over the past few years. In the spirit of Tu B’Shevat, we can draw inspiration from Goldberg’s Pine to reflect on our own roots and community.
Just like trees (Yes, trees do connect with each other in the forest—Google it!), we can grow stronger through our connections with each other and build a sense of unity and hope.
We wrapped up the activity making pine needle paint brushes to take home, enjoying some fruit snacks, and hearing a short message from Rabbi Patrick.
