Although it's cold and gray here in Philly, January 27 marks one of Judaism's greenest holidays: Tu Bishvat. This agricultural festival—the "new year of the trees"—was once an important date for farmers in ancient Israel, and is now an occasion to celebrate and connect with nature.
Tu Bishvat is celebrated with tree-planting ceremonies and traditional seders in which participants eat spiritually significant fruits and nuts. In recent times, Tu Bishvat has also become an occasion to address questions of environmentalism and sustainability—sort of a Jewish Earth Day.
This Tu Bishvat, there are many opportunities to celebrate, learn, and connect with your communities. Check out our round up below.
All programs are virtual.
Tu Bishvat Programs For Kids and Familes
Roots and Branches: A Tu Bishvat Party!
Join jkiphilly for a BYOF (bring your own fruit) virtual celebration, featuring a mini Tu Bishvat seder, stories, songs, and "tree yoga." Register here.
Whole Community Inclusion: Tu Bishvat Fun
Designed for children of all abilities, this jkidphilly program will feature music, storytime and crafts. An ASL interpreter will be present. Register here.
Family Tu Bishvat Seder and Kabbalat Shabbat
Join IAC for a family-friendly Tu Bishvat celebration with an Israeli twist. Register here.
Kids' Tu Bishvat With the Bux-Mont Kehillah and Local Camps
Our Bux-Mont Kehillah is partnering with the region's Jewish camps to present a fun and educational virtual Tu Bishvat program. Register here.
Spiritual and Educational Programs For Adults
Seeds of Learning: Exploring Themes of Tu B’Shevat in 2021
Join Bux-Mont Rabbis and educators to explore the special significance of this holiday. Register here.
Songs of the Land: Tu Bisvhat Musical Program
Temple Beth Sholom will co-present this musical event with our Old York Road Kehillah. Register here.
Judaism and the Environment: A Faith Based Approach to Climate Change
What does our tradition say about protecting the natural world? Learn more at this event. Register here.
Tu Bishvat Programs For Young Professionals & 20-Somethings
Tu B’Shvat Painting & Planting
To celebrate Tu B’Shvat, Moishe House will be painting plant pots and filling them with small plants and herbs. Join us virtually as we create our original masterpieces. These will be the perfect addition to your kitchen, window sill or home office! To register, click here.
Branching Out - LGBTQIA+ Happy Hour
Join J.Proud members Tribe12 and the Kol Tzedek LGBTQ Havurah for a Tu B'shvat event celebrating growth and creation! We'll have ice-breakers and brief presentations from members of J.Proud - Greater Philadelphia Jewish organizations with LGBTQ+-specific programming - as well as a chance to learn about the myriad of social, educational, and religious opportunities that you can engage with online (and eventually in person). To register, click here.
Celebrate Tu BiShvat with Tree Planting
Tree-t yourself this new year! In honor of Tu BiShvat, the New Year of the Trees, RSJ Moishe House will be plotting some house plants. Join us virtually as we lead a brief seder, recite the blessings over wine and fruit, and pot some seedlings and house plants. Green thumbs not necessary! We will have packets of herb seeds available for contactless pick up for those interested. To register, click here. Please notify RSJ on Facebook if you would like us to save you a packet of seeds.
Jewish Community Farms and Gardens
What's Drawing Jewish 20-Somethings To Farming?
A surprising number of young Jews are returning to the traditional Jewish agriculture practices, starting up community farms and gardens across the country. Learn more about the trend at this event. Register here.
Gardening 101 With ACRe
Learn the basics of plant parenting with master gardener Ahron Mueller. This event is presented by ACRe, an organic farm revived from the Alliance Colony, the first Jewish agricultural community in America. Register here.
Traditional Tu Bishvat Seder With Shalem Farm
Shalem Farm is a brand new Jewish educational and organic farm in Doylestown, PA. Founded by sustainability expert Yitzhak Glassman, it will serve as a future home for organic farming programming and ecology-based Jewish and Torah programming. This year, Yitzhak will present a Tu Bishvat seder. To participate or learn more about the farm, email garyitzhak@gmail.com.
