Growing up, the Jewish holiday of Tu B’Shevat always struck a chord with me. Maybe it was the treehugger in me, or maybe the holiday is what made me this way, but I have always had a thing for gardening and giving back to reforesting and nature organizations. When I was 13, I made it all the way to Israel and hand-planted trees for my grandparents. It was a momentous trip that will always connect my love for nature. Monday night and Tuesday marks the Jewish holiday of Tu B’Shevat, or the New Year of the Trees, the Jewish Arbor Day, OR, according to my kids, the Birthday of the Trees. For two weeks at school, they’ve been planting seeds, making green “tree” cupcakes, and overall studying nature and literally hugging trees to help give back to the Earth for what it gives to us.

Originally, Tu B’Shevat marked the ‘fiscal year’ of trees, the date used for tax purposes for farmers. Now, it takes a more immediate, even urgent feel. Planting trees brings more food to the hungry; more shade for the overheated; better air quality. It might sounds like a strange holiday to celebrate in the middle of winter - in the US. In Israel, however, the rainy season has brought the trees to bloom, and to celebrate, we eat fruit and grains from the “Seven Species” of Israel - wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and honey. We eat a meal to taste all these foods, and to really get ‘back to nature’. It’s a very easy holiday to share with children - nature still holds a big fascination, and to get hands-on through planting and eating brings the idea of Earth cycles, well, full circle.

So, even if you’re not Jewish, eat some fruit on Tuesday and think about the tree or plant it came from. Here’s a website with coloring pages and Tu B’Shevat activities. And if you’re feeling particularly charitable, here’s a list of organizations where you can ‘plant’ trees, in honor or memory of someone. I often plant trees in honor of births, or to mark special events in my families lives. No matter if you’re planting for someone else or yourself - the earth is the real benefactor!

Jewish National Fund - planting trees in Israel since 1901!
Eco-Libris - love to read? Donate $1 for every book you read (or your kids - a great incentive!), Eco-Libris will help plant a tree in a tree-needy country. They’ll even send you a sticker for your book!
The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation - aiming to plant 18 billion fruit trees worldwide - three for each person in the world!
Trees for the Future - helps teach communities how to plant trees and rebuild their environment.
American Forests - helping to replant wildfire sticken areas.