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Tu Bishvat

Tu Bishvat and some of the other neglected holidays — Sukkot, Shavuot, Purim — can be great ways to introduce Jewish partners to the beauty of Judaism. Every winter, just as we start to think about spring, a minor holiday comes along. Minor enough that not all of us know what it means or how it came to be. The resources on this page can help you and your family learn about the wonder of Tu Bishvat.

Upcoming Dates

  • January 16, 2014; February 4, 2015; January 25, 2016.
     
 Booklet

Tu Bishvat: the greening of Judaism

Explaining the customs, rituals, history, foods and more, this booklet will be a popular reference for all families.
 
 Basics
So you might be wondering, What is Tu Bishvat Anyway? This article offers an explanation and history of Tu Bishvat, new year of the trees according to the Jewish calendar, and its customs.
      
 Video
   
     
Seders

A compilation of our favorite seder resources, including menus and haggadahs.
   
 Quick Reference
   
 Keep Talking

Looking to share ideas and stories about Tu Bishvat with others?
     
     
 Further reading
   
 More

Stay tuned for more resources!
     
 Additional Resources
      

 

Hebrew for "15th of [the month of] Shevat," both a date and the name of a holiday celebrated on that date. A holiday that falls in January or February, it's the New Year for trees. Plural form of the Hebrew for "telling," it's the text that outlines the order of the Passover seder. There are many, many versions of this book, which dates back almost 2,000 years. Because we are commanded to expand upon the story, the Haggadah contains ancient interpretations, as well as stage directions and explanations, for the Passover meal. A Summer holiday commemorating the receiving of the Torah on Mount Sinai, it is also known as the Feast of Weeks, as it comes seven weeks after Passover begins. Hebrew for "Booths," it's a fall holiday marking the harvest, like a Jewish Thanksgiving, complete with opportunities for dining and sleeping under the stars. Hebrew for "lots," referring to the lots cast by Haman, the story's antagonist, to determine the date on which to kill the Jewish people. It's a spring holiday commemorating the Jewish people's triumph. The story is told through the biblical Book of Esther; the namesake heroine, a Jewish woman, marries the Persian king. Their interfaith relationship is central to the story.
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