Tu B'Shvat - Happy Birthday Trees from the Fourth Grade

"Ha Shkeidia Porachat...Tu B'Shvat Higiah - The almond tree is blossoming...Tu B'Shvat is coming" This Israeli children's song doesn't exactly describe Tu B'Shvat in my neighborhood, but is a reminder that in Eretz Yisrael, trees are really beginning to bud and the ground is warm enough to plant saplings. On Tu B'Shvat (the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shvat), Israeli students leave their classrooms and plant trees in parks, along roadsides, and in barren areas throughout the towns. While tree planting isn't possible in many parts of the US, synagogues and religious schools often celebrate with a Tu B'Shvat "seder" - complete with Blessings, four cups of wine, and a bounteous array of fruits to savor. In terms of Jewish Education, Tu B'Shvat lends itself to hands-on projects that range from crafting an almond tree out of a fallen branch, green tissue paper, and pink-painted cotton balls to collecting materials for re-cycling. Our synagogue's Religious School is the site of many imaginative projects. This Shabbat, congregants and guests on their way to Torah Study and services enjoyed poster-sized "Birthday Cards" for the trees designed by the Fourth Graders. The posters were mounted on easels prominently placed in the synagogue's foyer. Each poster was uniquely tree-themed. In one, the tree trunk was made up of colorful hand cut-outs. Another was ladden with bright red apples. Still another was made entirely from collage materials. Not only did the students learn about Tu B'Shvat, their project proudly displayed in the main entrance to the synagogue, symbolizes that our synagogue's programs are "rooted" in commitment to life long learning at every age and skill level. Temperatures may be frigid, but celebrating Tu B'Shvat encourages us to "Think Spring!" Chag HaIlanot Sameach - Happy Holiday of the Trees!