Jewish “New Year” for Trees Celebrated by All Ages

GOSHEN, NY [CHI] — The recent Jewish holiday of Tu B’Shvat (literally, the 15th day of the month of Shevat on the Jewish calendar), the Jewish “New Year for the Trees” was celebrated through creative activities and programs by all ages with Chabad of Orange County, led by Rabbi Pesach and Chana Burston. “This is the season in which the earliest-blooming trees in the Land of Israel emerge from their winter sleep and begin a new fruit-bearing cycle,” explains Rabbi Burston. “We mark this day by eating fruit, particularly from the kinds that are singled out by the Torah in its praise of the bounty of the Holy Land: Grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates.”

At Torah Troopers, Chabad’s preschool program, children explored a nature sensory table, watched a puppet show about how trees grow, made edible fruit trees and created a “mitzvah (good deed) tree” on which parents can write positive deeds their child has preformed.

In Chabad Hebrew School, students tasted a variety of fruits, discussed how children can contribute to helping the earth and our environment, and enjoyed singing Hebrew Tu B’Shvat songs with Mrs. Gabi Cohen of Highland Mills.

Chabad’s Bat-Mitzvah Club, led by youth leaders Dassy Levilov and Shayna Witkes, enjoyed designing Tu B’Shvat fruit arrangements and dipping fruit in a chocolate fountain.

The Boy’s Teen Club, led by Rabbi Pesach, tasted exotic fruits and learned about the Torah’s perspective on nature and recycling.

Chabad’s monthly Kosher awareness table at Shoprite Monroe featured a variety of exotic fruits and fresh fruits and was visited by many shoppers.

The Jewish Women’s Circle celebrated Tu B’Shvat with a raw food demonstration and learned about the Jewish perspective of health and healing.

Rabbi Pesach’s Tuesday night “Kabbalah and Chicken Soup” study group explored the mystical dimensions of the holiday, and participants brought various unique fruits to share and enjoy.

Chabad Youth leaders Shayna Witkis (left) and Dassie Levilov (right) run the monthly “Kosher Awareness” table at Shoprite in Monroe for the holiday of Tu B’Shvat

Shoppers at Shoprite Monroe enjoy tasting fruits for Tu B’Shvat at Chabad’s “Kosher Awareness” stand.

Arlo Steir, 4, of Monroe, is proud of the “edible Tu B’Shvat tree” he created in Chabad’s Torah Trooper program run by Chana Burston

Patent Sale, 5, of Highland Mills, plants a “grass head” in honor of Tu B’Shvat at Chabad’s Torah Trooper program run by Chana Burston

Enjoying a Chocolate Fondue with Tu B’shvat fruits at Chabad’s Boys Teen Club are (l-r) Justin Meshulam, Lucas Turso, Yanai Cohen & Jon Sandow as Rabbi Pesach Burston looks on