Tu Bishvat

Meaning
Literally translated, Tu B’shvat means the 15th of the Jewish month of Shevat. This is the holiday’s date on the Jewish calendar.

It is also called the New Year of the Trees.

When
Tu B’shvat occurs in late winter, when the rainy season is ending in Israel. The main focus of the holiday is on trees and other produce, especially those that grow in the land of Israel.

Customs
Some people plant trees in Israel, or send money to organizations that plant trees. During the 1500s, Jewish mystics in the town of Ts’fat in Israel created a ceremony, similar to the Passover Seder, which is still practiced today. We discuss and eat various types of fruits that grow in Israel, such as carob, almonds, figs and dates.

Today
Today, the holiday is particularly relevant as we engage in efforts to reduce our negative impact on the environment.  Tu Bishvat reminds us of our responsibility to protect the Earth. 

Year-round, at home and at work each of us can do our part:

• Turn off your computer, printer, and other appliances when you leave.   
• Use pitchers of tap water and glasses instead of plastic bottles.  Request pitchers and re-usable utensils when placing a catering order.
• Reduce printing documents/emails, and when you do have to print, make two sided copies and reuse one sided documents as scrap paper.
• Jewish Home is replacing regular light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs.  Each bulb saves 150 pounds of carbon dioxide per year; change the bulbs in your home, too!