What To Do on Tu B’Shvat in Israel

Karin-Kloosterman-with-tree

Tu B’Shvat is the Jewish holiday marking the beginning of a new year for trees, and is usually celebrated by planting trees and exchanging gifts of dried fruit with loved ones.  While these traditional activities are great and we support going out to plant trees (thus increasing the amount of carbon-eating leaves out there), these activities sound a little stale.

Tu B’Shvat Party at City Tree, Tel Aviv: Get down with fellow green folks in Tel Aviv’s ecological apartment – City Tree.  Enjoy dates, carobs, dried fruit cookies, organic wine, and other surprises.  Saturday February 7th, 23 Bialik Street, Tel Aviv, 8pm-11pm

The Giving Tree, Jerusalem: The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel is hosting an evening to discuss the topic of The Giving Tree: How to Protect Adult Trees in the City.  The evening will include lectures, film, a discussion of the Jerusalem municipality’s policy on urban trees, and a presentation of a map of the Jerusalem trees being discussed.  For details and reservations contact the Center for Green Culture, 02-6252357.

almond tree blossoms in israel

From Garbage Hill to Green Park:  Join the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel for a tour of Hiria, a former garbage-dump-turned-national-park, to learn about recycling.  A highlight of the tour includes a hike to the top of Hiria to see an impressive view of the Gush Dan region.  February 5th.  Reservations required, 057-200-30-30.

Tu B’Shvat Street Party, Tel Aviv: Alma, the Home for Hebrew Culture, is hosting a cultural Tu B’Shvat street party which will include artistic installations, a theatrical performance, live jazz music, and activities for kids.

The main event will be a performance by Marap (which includes musician Kobi Oz, the lead singer of popular Israeli band Tipex). Friday February 13, 12:00-4:00pm, reservations required.

Read more about green Jewish holidays:
A Happy, Sustainable Passover to All
Start the Year Right with a Sustainable Rosh Hashanah
Green Holiday Celebrations Continue with a Green Sukkah

Karen Chernick
Karen Chernickhttps://www.greenprophet.com/
Much to the disappointment of her Moroccan grandmother, Karen became a vegetarian at the age of seven because of a heartfelt respect for other forms of life. She also began her journey to understand her surroundings and her impact on the environment. She even starting an elementary school Ecology Club and an environmental newsletter in the 3rd grade. (The proceeds of the newsletter went to non-profit environmental organizations, of course.) She now studies in New York. Karen can be reached at karen (at) greenprophet (dot) com.
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