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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.
Blessing children
Hebrew Spelling
בִּרְכַּת הַיְלָדִֽים
The tradition of parents blessing their children on Friday nights as the Sabbath begins. The words for the blessing come from the Priestly Benediction in the Torah (Numbers 6:24-26).
Motzi
Hebrew Spelling
מוֹצִיא
The blessing recited over bread and any meal that includes bread. This blessing thanks God for bringing forth bread from the earth.
Shabbat shalom
Hebrew Spelling
שַׁבַּת שָׁלוֹם
Literally, “Sabbath of peace.” Shabbat shalom is the customary greeting on Shabbat.
Arbaah minim
Hebrew Spelling
אַרְבַּעַת הַמִּינִים
Literally, “four species.” The Torah specifies four species to bring together on Sukkot. The four species are: lulav (branches of palm trees), etrog (citron), hadasim (myrtle branches), and aravot (willows) (Leviticus 23:40).
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.