Trees are so important in Judaism that Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai, who lived in the First Century C.E., said, “If you are holding a sapling in your hand and you hear that the Messiah is coming, first plant the sapling, and then go and greet the Messiah.” Trees give us oxygen and wood, shade and fragrance, fruits and forests, paper and syrup, landscapes and almonds. We could no more live on this earth without trees than we could live without sunshine, air, or water. And since the power to plant and destroy trees is in our hands, Judaism gives us a holiday known as the New Year for the Trees - Tu BiSh’vat.
On Tuesday, February 7 at 8:00 pm, Shomrei Torah, the Wayne Conservative Congregation, invites the community to celebrate at a Tu BiSh’vat Seder led by Daniel Schlossberg, a fellow congregant who has lead Tu BiSh’vat Seders on college campuses for many years. Taste the 4 kinds of fruits and the 4 kinds of wines and learn about the 4 “worlds” and the importance and symbolism of trees in Jewish tradition since the Garden of Eden.
There is no charge for this event. Shomrei Torah is an egalitarian Conservative congregation located at 30 Hinchman Avenue, Wayne, NJ. To RSVP or for more information, contact the synagogue office at office@ShomreiTorahWCC.org or 973-696-2500 or view the synagogue's website at www.ShomreiTorahWCC.org.
