A Tu B’Shvat Wake Up Call - what matters now?
Mother Nature’s alarm clock is set to Tu B’Shvat time in Israel. The trees are waking up from their winter slumber, almond trees are starting to bloom, and we mark the day by eating fruit from the seven species for which the Land of Israel is praised --wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates (Deuteronomy 8:8). We remember that "Man is a tree of the field" (Deuteronomy 20:19) and reflect on our place in the natural world.
But what if the natural world is a mess?
What if we can barely function while trying to absorb what the human world does to the nature of our souls?
What if we are struggling to reconcile our celebration of this holiday while our hearts break waiting for the return of our hostages, and while the world raises their voice of hate against Jews or our homeland?
As Jews we are in a battle every day with the need to discover a seed of hope again and again, facing headlines and hooligans, lies and demonization in every form. Our aching hearts struggle to find a seed of inspiration to keep us going. And that is the lesson of Tu B'Shevat since its inception - that the seed is always within us. The roots that may wither can still grow new strength, when Hashem blesses us with sparks of light and the tastes of sweetness. However small they may seem in comparison with the darkness, it is the glimmer of hope that propels us forward.
Run a creative Tu B'Shvat Seder Experience
Create Tu B'Shevat art
Create your Calanit Forever ceramic flower to Plant Israel at Home
Now more than ever its important to have the discussion about our roots. In honor of Tu B'Shevat, we offer you this fabulous resource that will serve to open the hearts and minds of those that read. To engage with your children or grandchildren, family or friends, this publication is about exploring the questions that make us who we are. Use it for Shabbat or anytime!
What does having shared roots mean when we are scattered around the world?
If we are divided by our different political opinions, religious leanings, and secular national identities, how can we use these shared roots to inspire others in their connection as a nation with a homeland?
Why is it easier for other cultures to embrace their shared roots than it is for some Jews today?
How can the connection to Israel through roots, lands and ancestry challenge the many streams within the Jewish community that seek to disintegrate this connection for the sake of current social trends?
This Tu BiShvat, we have a Healing Hearts program to help pick up the shattered pieces—of our hearts, our people, and our land—and rebuild something beautiful.
Through the Plant Israel at Home Mosaic Activity, we use art as a form of healing and resilience. By creating mosaic planters or garden tiles, we symbolically take what has been broken and shape it into something meaningful—just as the hostages, the displaced, and all those affected by terror must now find a way to rebuild their lives.
🌿 How It Works:
🔹 Create a mosaic representing your hope for the healing of Israel and its people.
🔹 Send a message of love and support to an Israeli family suffering from trauma and displacement.
🔹 Donate a mosaic kit and a plant to bring therapy and comfort to those in need.
Through Healing Hearts Mosaics, we are providing therapeutic art experiences to those who have lost homes, loved ones, and their sense of security. Each mosaic reminds us that even shattered pieces can be put back together—and that together, we will rebuild.
🖌 Sign up to receive your activity kit & directions
📩 Send your mosaic & personal message to a family in Israel
📸 Share your creation and tag us to spread the healing!
🌍 Together, we are planting the seeds of strength, renewal, and unity.
Post and tag us #IsraelForever @israelforeverfoundation
We will never let go of our hope
of our prayers for peace, of respect and recognition of our human rights
of pride in our homeland and our nation state
and our collective connection that will help us outlast this generations effort to sever our bond.
DONATE TO HELP US CONTINUE OUR VITAL WORK.
WE NEED YOUR HELP TO DO MORE.
With every program, we are shaping a mindset of active participation for all our global community members. YOU make a difference through your continued interest in learning, in doing something meaningful with your time and energy left after our daily grind realities. We can all do more to help others who are feeling isolated during this time.
- Follow Israel Forever and stop the shadow banning of our pages on Insta and Facebook limiting the visibility of our virtual activism
- Share Israel Forever with your friends and encourage them to sign up
- Shop Israel Forever for creative designs
- Gift your members the opportunity to be a Virtual Citizen of Israel
- Make your gift to Keep Israel Forever.
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