Celebrating Tu BiShvat, it’s all for the trees

Everyone knows that in the U.S., the planet and environment are celebrated on Earth Day, which falls on April 22, welcoming in a season of new growth. But in Israel, and across the Jewish Diaspora, a similar holiday that celebrates nature, Tu BiShvat, is celebrated in late January or early February.

This year’s holiday fell on Jan. 25, but the Friedberg JCC made it a point of celebration on the weekend on Jan. 28. At a special event, kids enjoyed a day of fun, embracing traditions and creating festive memories.

The JCC, based in Oceanside, recently opened a branch on the South Shore at the Congregation Beth Ohr Annex in Merrick. Children and family members were invited to learn how to make juice and a traditional Tu BiShvat Seder plate, listen to a library story, and dance along to music with Gilad Paz, an Israeli singer and performer.

There was no shortage of fun at the event, which has long been celebrated as a feast of fruits. In Israel, it is the Israeli Arbor Day, and many Jews regard it as a holiday that furthers environmental awareness programs. Across the globe, Jewish communities emphasize actions and activism related to the environment and that natural world. For more on future events, visit FriedbergJCC.org.