Tu BiShvat
Tu BiShvat is the Jewish New Year for Trees and a time to appreciate and reconnect with the wonder of the natural world. On this day, Jews come together to honour nature’s renewal, reflect on our relationship with the environment, and celebrate the promise of new growth.
Tu BiShvat falls in January or February. It marks the Jewish New Year for Trees – a celebration of renewal and the first signs of spring.
Traditions associated with the day include:
- Hosting or attending a Tu BiShvat seder in a Progressive Jewish community – a special meal of fruits, nuts and wine/grape juice that invites reflection on the physical and spiritual dimensions of the season.
- Eating fruits associated with the Land of Israel such as dates, figs and pomegranates.
- Planting trees – whether in a local community or through a charity – as a symbol of our responsibility to future generations.
- Supporting environmental charities, deepening our connection to the natural world.
The origins of Tu BiShvat lie in ancient agricultural law, when the date was used to calculate tithes on fruit trees. Rabbinic tradition fixed the New Year for Trees on the 15th of Shevat, a time when the majority of the year’s rains had fallen and the sap began to rise – signalling the start of a new growing cycle.
Today, Tu BiShvat has become a moment to reflect on our ethical and spiritual relationship with the environment.
Rooted in both mystical tradition and modern ecological awareness, it calls us to renew our commitment to sustainability, justice, and the sacred interconnectedness of all life.
If you want to experience Tu BiShvat in a welcoming, inclusive, and egalitarian setting, we’d love to welcome you into one of our Progressive congregations.
