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Tu BiShvat: Judaism and the Environment
During Tu BiShvat, we focus our attention towards the environment and environmental issues.
Tu BiShvat: Customs and Rituals
The Jewish mystics of the 17th century, the Kabbalists, created a special ritual—modeled after the Passover seder—to celebrate God's presence in nature. Today in modern Israel, Tu BiShvat has become a national holiday, a tree planting festivaTu BiShvat is not mentioned in the Torah. Scholars believe the holiday was originally an agricultural festival, corresponding to the beginning of spring in Israel. But a critical historical event helped Tu BiShvat evolve from a simple celebration of spring to a commemoration of our connection to the land of Israel. After the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 C.E. and the exile that followed, many of the exiled Jews felt a need to bind themselves symbolically to their former homeland. Tu BiShvat served in part to fill that spiritual need. Jews used this time each year to eat a variety of fruits and nuts that could be obtained from Israel. The practice, a sort of physical association with the land, continued for many centuries.l for both Israelis and Jews throughout the world
Tu BiShvat: History
Although the celebration of Tu BiShvat has a long and varied history, the theme most commonly ascribed to the holiday today is the environment.
We Can Make a Difference: Support of Ethiopian Jewry
The Temple's religious school engaged in a year long project to support Ethiopian Jewry. They sold embroidery, hosted a Ethiopian-themed Shabbat, and created a national photo exhibit. Temple Jeremiah 937 Happ Road P.O.
South Bronx-Port Washington Community Partnership
The Temple partnered with two churches in the South Bronx in order to foster connections between the communities. Through tutoring, blood drives, homeless shelters, and other means, the communities have worked together through iner-faith relations to help make our world a better place.
Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom
Temple Committee Against Human Trafficking brought awareness on the issue of human trafficking to the community.
Time for Tikkun Pledge Drive
The Temple revamped its Social Action Committee by creating pledge cards in which congregants can indicate which type of Social Action projects they are interested in doing and how often they are available.
The Mysterious Origins of the Sabbath
The Sabbath (Shabbat in Hebrew) is one of Judaism’s greatest gifts to humanity. People in the ancient Near East had nothing similar to the Jewish concept of a weekly sacred day of rest.
Kesher – Building Connections with Jewish Seniors
Congregants prepare holiday gift packages for Jewish seniors. Community Contact Information: Temple Shaaray Tefila New York, NY http://www.shaaraytefilanyc.org/ Goals: Provide warmth and friendship to elderly local Jews. Develop intergenerational bonds within the Jewish community.
Martin Luther King Jr. Service
Congregation and local NAACP co-sponsor annual Martin Luther King Jr. commemorative service at synagogue. Community Contact Information: Temple B'nai Israel Oklahoma City, OK www.thetempleokc.org Goals: Celebrate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.