You’d hardly know it by walking outside, but it’s almost time to start planting. Not here, of course, but in Israel. This year Tu B’Shevat begins at sundown on Tuesday, January 22, and continues on Wednesday, January 23. Tu B’Shevat, in case you’re not familiar, is one of four “new years” in the Jewish calendar. Two of them you know well: Rosh Hashanah, the new year of years; and the first of Nisan, the new year of the months. The other is the first of Elul, the new year for tithing animals in Biblical times. Tu B’Shevat is, of course, the new year of the trees, the new year for tithing agriculture in Biblical times.

The destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem (70 CE) meant an end to the sacrificial system, but it didn’t mean an end to Tu B’Shevat. At that time, Tu B’Shevat became a day on which to commemorate our connection to the Land of Israel. At Tu B’Shevat seders, ceremonial meals celebrating the fruits that grow on trees, it is customary to eat fruit associated with the land of Israel. (Here at Temple Israel, we’ll be holding a Tu B’Shevat Seder on Saturday, February 3 at 11:30 a.m.) Some of these Israeli fruits include figs and pomegranates, olives and date honey. In addition to eating the fruit of trees, Israeli schoolchildren also engage in the act of planting on Tu B’Shevat. The Jewish National Fund organizes elaborate tree-planting ceremonies in order to make positive steps in the environment.

In recent years, Tu B’Shevat has also acquired the name “Jewish Earth Day.” As the ground begins to thaw in many parts of the world (Minnesota not included!), we turn our attention to the natural cycle and also to the nature of recycling. Tree planting, recycling and an awareness of our impact on the world are all related to making sure it is here for future generations. In the same regard, Tu B’Shevat can be a time at which we plant other kinds of seeds – of knowledge, experience, and inspiration – in our children.

Just as we want to ensure that the world continues to exist for generations to come, so too do we want to be sure that Judaism endures. As you prepare yourself for Tu B’Shevat, consider creating a lasting connection to Israel by sending your teen on a high school program in Israel. Consider the Union for Reform Judaism’s NFTY in Israel or the Eisendrath International Exchange Program(http://www.birthrightisrael.com) or the Alexander Muss High School in Israel (http://www.amiie.org/hs/). If your child is not yet old enough to participate in one of these high school programs in Israel, plant a seed for future travel and a love of Israel by sending them to Jewish summer camp, such as our own Camp TEKO (http://www.teko.org). Or, perhaps you have an 18-26 year old child who’s never been on an organized trip to Israel. If so, your son or daughter can go to Israel for free with Taglit-Birthright Israel (http://www.birthrightisrael.com ).

Tu B’Shevat tells us that spring is just around the corner and if that’s the case, summer can’t be much further behind. Chag sameach! Have a happy Tu B’Shevat!