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About Tu B’Shevat
Tu B’Shevat marks the end of Winter and the beginning of Spring (in Israel), which is why it is hard for us, in the Northern Hemisphere to feel the change. Image the first warm breeze with the scent of earth that is waking up to new growth blowing gently across your face. That’s the feeling of Tu B’shevat!
Why is it important to know how old a tree is?
In the ancient days, one paid taxes on a trees. Also, the fruit it produced went to the Temple priests up until it was 5 years old. Thereafter, the fruit belonged to the farmer but alas, the taxes continued.
Why is it called something so obscure?
In the Hebrew alphabet, letters have numerical equivalents: for example, A = 1, B = 2, C=3, etc. “Tu” is actually two Hebrew letters that have a numerical equivalent of 15. “Shevat” is a Hebrew month, so Tu B’Shevat is the 15th of Shevat. Easy!
There is a tradition of eating 15 “species” (different kinds of fruits and nuts, like almonds, dates, figs, carob) that grow in the land of Israel. Make it special by using the blessing:
Blessed are You, Source of all life, Creator of the fruit of the tree.
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Click the link below!
Coloring Page
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We’re here and we want your feedback! Send us an email to youngfamilies@emanuelnyc.org and let us know how you and your little ones are celebrating Tu B’shevat this year. We’d love to hear from you!
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Activities to Celebrate Tu B’Shevat
- Plant something!
Plant a tree in Israel – or here at home. We often plant parsley in a cup. Six weeks later it is ready for your Seder plate. That’s a great way to tie the holidays together since Passover is ALWAYS in the Spring! Remember to water it (but not too much)!
- Adopt a tree in your neighborhood.
Contact the city to find out how to care for it and be its champion. Your child can clear away leaves at the bottom. Make sure that there is no litter at its roots. Water it as needed and give it some love.
- Sing Happy Birthday to your tree!
Share the story of Honi and the Carob Tree with your child — retold by our Director of Lifelong Learning Emeritus, Saul Kaiserman. Read the story here
- Adopt a new GREEN sustainable practice – and encourage those you love to do the same. Is it carrying a reusable water bottle? Recycling with more diligence? Handing down the clothing your child has outgrown? Reusing something? Carry a reusable tote!
- Sensory Play
Celebrate the end of winter by making snow slime! Get the recipe here - Explore the Beauty of Spring
with a DIY Spring Discovery Bottle! Click here for instructions - Looking for Music?
Click here to view our full archive of past Baby Bop videos! Listen to more great kids’ music with ShirLaLa‘s “Earth Worm Disco” album here!
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