TU B'SHEVAT
Tu B’Shevat is the national celebration of trees in Israel, likened to Arbor Day in the US. It occurs on the 15th day of the month of Shevat and scholars believe that it was celebrated, originally, to mark the arrival of spring. While Tu B’Shevat is considered a minor holiday in Judaism, it is nonetheless a festive celebration that promotes earth-centered rituals and activities.
One way to celebrate is by hosting a Tu B’Shevat seder. The emeregence of a Tu B’Shevat seder occurred around the 17th century and was created by Kabbalists. Similar to a Passover seder, symbolic foods are eaten in a specific order as prayers are recited.
What you'll need for your Tu B'Shevat Seder:
WHITE AND RED GRAPE JUICE OR WINE (ENOUGH FOR FOUR SMALL GLASSES PER PERSON)
White to represent bleakness of winter
White with a splash of red to represent the awakening of spring.
Red with a splash of white to represent late spring.
Red to represent the ripeness of the vegetation and the heat of summer.
TASTINGS OF THREE CATEGORIES OF FRUITS OR NUTS
Those with an inedible outer covering and edible inside: melons, nuts, pomegranates, coconuts, citrus, bananas, etc.
Those with an edible outside but inedible pit inside: dates, olives, plums, peaches, apples, avocados, nectarines, pears, etc.
Those that are entirely edible: berries, figs, grapes, etc.
To host your own seder, click on the links below
(information provided by: https://reformjudaism.org/)
Ages: 8 and older
(Rabbi David J. Gelfand, Cantor Sarah J. Sager, Rabbi Billy Dreskin, and the Tu BiShvat Seder Production Team of Fairmount Temple in Beachwood, OH)
https://reformjudaism.org/sites/default/files/Tu-Bishvat-seder-ACFT.pdf
Ages: 10 and older
(Temple Emanuel Sinai in Worcester, MA)
https://reformjudaism.org/sites/default/files/TempleEmanuel-of-Worcester-MA-Seder.pdf
Ages: 12 and older
(Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and NFTY: The Reform Jewish Youth Movement)
https://reformjudaism.org/sites/default/files/RAC-NFTY-seder.pdf
Ages: 12 and older
(World Zionist Organization)
https://reformjudaism.org/sites/default/files/World-Zionist-Organization-TuBiShvat-Seder-Hebrew-and-English.pdf
Ages: older teens and adults
(Rabbi Mark Hurvitz)
https://reformjudaism.org/sites/default/files/TuBishvat%20seder-booklet.pdf
Ages: 12 and older
(Juliette Hirt)
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pro0h0LV6GrJIDg_56_fRK7mL8sERJRWl9J0xcBIpRA/edit