Temple Educator’s Column - Let’s Plant a Tree and Celebrate on February 1!
Dear Friends,
While the war in Gaza is still not fully resolved, (see footnote) Israel and the Jewish people continue to move forward and live life, as we always have. That resolve has kept us going for thousands of years. Tu Bishvat – the birthday of the trees – begins the evening of February 1, 2026. We are planning to have Yom Yisrael (lit. Israel Day) on that morning in the Religious School and for the entire congregational community. I hope you will join us for some or all of the activities!
9:30 a.m. – Noon Religious School as scheduled:
Gan – Kitah Hey (K–5th) will engage in a variety of Israel-related activities.
9:30 a.m. - Parent Schmooze in the Lobby
10:15 a.m. - Meet Maayan Amsterdamer, a living bridge to Israel
Kitot Vav – Yud Bet (6th –12th) and Adults will meet this wonderful teen who recently spent a semester in Israel at the Alexander Muss High School. She will share her experiences living outside Tel Aviv, learning and experiencing life in Israel with her classmates. This will be followed by our students singing some Israeli songs led by our music teacher, Ed Soufer.
11:15 a.m.- Noon Israeli food buffet and a variety of engaging activities.
Students will sit with their classes to eat and have more experiential learning. There will be conversation guides for adult tables, and Maayan and her parents will also be available for more conversation.
Plant a tree in Israel in honor or memory of someone – maybe yourself!
For over 100 years it has been a practice of Jewish people all over the world to contribute money to plant a tree in Israel. It is a powerful statement of connection. Trees planted through the JNF have become massive forests throughout the land, in places that were once wilderness.
To plant a tree, we ask that you use our TBT Religious School page on the JNF website. That way we can all see how many trees our community plants! Click HERE .
Finally, our individual relationships with Israel are as varied as each of us are. I hope we each have a vision of what we hope Israel is and can be. Whatever that vision is, I believe the only way we can make it a reality is to be engaged with Israel and Israelis. As Theodor Herzl said: “Im tirzu, ayn zo agadah – If you will it, it is not a dream.”
L’shalom,
Ira J. Wise, DJRE
Temple Educator
As I write this on the final day of Chanukah, there is only one hostage remaining in Gaza. Staff Sargeant Ron Gvili, a police officer was captured and killed on October 7, 2023. We pray for the return of his remains soon. And while the situation is still fluid, it feels like things are moving toward a more peaceful status quo. There is a long way to go before Israel is truly at peace.