I remember celebrating Tu B’Shvat back in the 70’s in New York. I attended the Yeshiva of Central Queens (YCQ) and every Tu B’Shvat we watched a play about trees in Israel and received a bag of dried fruit, including the infamous “boxer” (I have no idea how to spell that…) which was guaranteed to break at least 3 of your teeth. That was it. Nothing too exciting or dramatic, just some prunes, figs and nasty “boxer”.
Baruch Hashem I raised my kids in Israel where Tu B’Shvat is completely different. Entire schools go out to plant trees. There’s singing, dancing and – thanks to the rain – lots of mud! Nobody eats “boxer” (maybe because it’s all exported to New York!) and even though it could still be cold and rainy, everyone is in a great and happy mood.
So, here’s the question that bothered me for many years: Is there a way to bridge the gap – for both children and adults?
Is there some way to let all Jews take part in Tu B’Shvat in a real and significant way, as opposed to just not saying “tachanun” in shul?
YES, there is!! Back in 1997 I started a program called “Israel Trees” which allows people ALL OVER THE WORLD to plant
FRUIT trees in Israel – right from their computer or cellphone!To date, over 200,000 new fruit trees have been planted all across Israel and this year it will be even bigger than ever.
Baruch Hashem, this is the 70th year since the founding of the modern State of Israel and the Israel Trees program has announced that 70 new orchards will be planted all over Israel.
Pomegranate trees near Bet Shemesh, Olives in Shiloh, Grapes on the Golan Heights, Dates in the Jordan Valley, Peaches near the Gaza border, Cherries near Hebron, Almonds in Beersheba and more!
70 NEW Orchards for Israel’s 70th Birthday!
You can take part in this – VERY EASILY – by simply going to the website: www.IsraelTrees.org
All you need to do is click on a few buttons and your fruit tree will be planted in Israel!
These 70 new orchards will be for fruit trees ONLY!! In addition to beautifying the land, they provide jobs for people who produce and sell the fruit, the olive oil, the orange juice and the wine!
In addition to helping Israel develop and grow, you will also have a share in all the unique Mitzvot and Blessings performed with these trees and their fruits, which are only possible in the land of Israel. Rav Yosef Efrati the top Posek and authority on the Mitzvot of agriculture said;
“People around the world who buy FRUIT trees for farmers to plant in Israel, are considered partners in ALL the Mitzvot, like Orlah, Teruma, Maser, Shmitta etc.”
I am confident that – together with you – we can reach our goal of 70 new orchards for Israel’s 70th year.
It all starts now with the big Tu B’Shvat planting and will continue until Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Israel Independence Day) this spring.
So, here are your Tu B’Shvat options; Break your teeth on “boxer”, save 30 seconds by not saying “tachanun” or partner with an Israeli farmer, plant fruit trees in one of our 70 NEW orchards, and Share in the Mitzvah and Bracha.
Let’s get to work.
You can plant your tree at: www.IsraelTrees.org
