Tu B'Shvat Holiday Hub

Craft Ideas, Recipes, Music Videos, Podcasts, Cooking Videos, and more to help your family celebrate together or apart.

Tu B’Shvat is the New Year of the Trees (or the birthday of the trees!). It is celebrated annually on the 15th (‘tu’ in Hebrew, these letters have the numeric value of 15) of the month of Shvat on the Jewish calendar (in 2022, Tu B'Shevat will begin in the evening on Sunday, January 16, 2022, and end in the evening on Monday, January 17, 2022). Why do we celebrate trees at a time when our trees have lost their leaves and are covered with snow? In Israel, where the Jewish calendar originated, it is the beginning of springtime when almond trees are starting to bloom.

There are many ways to celebrate this holiday. Some people will plant trees (in warmer climates), and some will hold a seder (a special/ceremonial holiday meal) that features and celebrates foods grown from trees. It is a good time to think about how trees are special and to be grateful for what they give us. Even though our climate is not favorable for planting things outside at this time of year, we can do indoor planting projects (like pots of parsley that can then be used at Passover), enjoy tree fruits, and talk about the Earth and what we can do to care for our environment. We hope that the resources in this Holiday Hub will help your family to plant ideas that make your Tu B’Shvat celebrations grow and blossom. 

LOCAL AND ONLINE TU B'SHVAT EVENTS

tu bishvat tree bet haam 2022

Bet Ha’am Tu BiSh’vat Seder

Presented online by Congregation Bet Ha'am in South Portland
Sunday, January 16, 2022 | 7:00PM

In the depths of winter, we gather to celebrate the birthday of the trees while we dream of the growing season to come.

Rabbi Saks and the Garden Committee cordially invite you to join us for a family friendly evening of blessings, music, poetry, fruits and beverages from the comfort of your own home. Enjoy your evening meal and then join us for an interactive seder at 7:00PM via Zoom. After the seder, there will be time for conversation while you savor your favorite dessert.

This year, Tu BiSh’vat coincides with Martin Luther King Weekend. Our speaker, Bet Ha’am’s own Anna Siegel, a climate activist and organizer, will link the themes of the holiday with climate justice. Talented musician Russel Kabak will energize the seder with his music.

If you would like to download and print the text for the seder ahead of time, you may find it here.

tree for etz chaim t bshevat 2022

Annual Tu B’Shevat Seder

Presented online by Congregation Etz Chaim on Bacon Street in Biddeford
Friday, January 21st | 6:00 - 7:00 PM

Shake off the winter doldrums!

Join Congregation Etz Chaim (Bacon St.  Biddeford) for a virtual Tu B’Shevat family seder to celebrate Shabbat and Tu B’Shevat!

Tu B’Shevat seder bags with all the supplies you will need, including a seder booklet, are available for pickup or delivery – But supplies are going fast! Please make arrangements with Beth when you RSVP.

Come celebrate our beautiful Mother Earth!

Please RSVP for the link cantorstrassler@gmail.com

 

MUSIC

Tu Tu Tu B’shevat 
by Joanie Leeds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFo9HGD7b3o&feature=emb_logo 

 

PJ Library’s Spotify Playlist for Tu B’Shevat
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5etioueJvnwr810MGTA4HS 

 

Songs for Tu B’Shevat
http://www.sylviarouss.com/new-songs-for-tu-bshevat/ 

MORE RESOURCES