Tu B’shvat

For our Tu B’Shvat (the New Year for Trees) celebration, each of our groups prepared a special presentation

The Shorashim did a dance showing how trees grow, and presented materials they had worked on showing different ways of looking after the natural world.

Nitzanim presented art produced in the light of text study of texts from Bereishit (Genesis), and asking the question ‘how should we treat our environment?’ they explored various models – world as supermarket, world as factory, world as playground, and world as garden.

Anafim put on a show explicating a classical midrash in which God decares to the first humans ‘See all of this I made for your benefit. Look after it, for if you destroy it there will be no one to come and fix it for you.” (Midrash Shir Hashirim Rabbah). The Anafim’s show was somewhat dark, a depiction of a future wracked by environmental degradation and ensuing warfare, punctuated by a poignant reading aloud of the midrash. I was shocked and moved to see the depth of their feelings on this issue.

The Benayim presented sculptures made from  recycled materials.

A Tu B’shvat tradition is to eat as many unusual fruits as possible, in order to be able to recite the blessing ‘She’hechianu’ which celebrates new experiences, and landmark moments. We blessed and munched together on some yummy dry fruits.  Happy Tu B’shvat!