by Yonatan Neril.
Beit Hillel teaches that Tu b’Shevat is the new year of the trees. [1] At this time of sap rising within trees it is an appropriate time to explore a teaching of the Sages on how our forefathers related to trees.
According to the Midrash [2] , when Yaakov went down to Egypt, he received a prophecy that his descendants would be redeemed from there and be commanded to build a Mishkan (Sanctuary) in the desert. The Sanctuary existed as a center for Divine worship for over 400 years in Israel until King Solomon built the first Temple ...
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A Tu b’Shevat Seder can be adapted to different timeframes that you have available. Your seder will feelmore relaxed if you can give them approximately two hours including set-up and conclusion. However, there are times when shorter seders are called for.
It’s not recommended to try to do a whole Tu b’Shevat seder in less than an hour (if you have less than an
hour you might want to try doing just one world), but if you have an hour, it is possible to have a nice
seder during that time period. Here is a timeline that might help.
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Use these links to find Tu b'Shevat stories on Canfei Nesharim's website. These stories can be used to accompany a "Four Worlds" style Tu b'Shevat seder.
The New Year for the Trees: A Tu B'Shvat Story: a chasidic story exploring the potential of nature and people. (recommended for use in world 1)
"The Holy Vitebsker at the Kinneret": this story, by anthropomorphism, grants a personality to the Sea of Galilee. (recommended for world 2 or 3)
"The Wind": a chasidic story demonstrating the importance of the ...
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Here is a simple, guided meditation that might add an experiential component to your Tu b’Shevat Seder or activity. As always, know your community. Only use this if it will work for your community! Feel free to modify if needed.
“Using Canfei Nesharim’s Materials this Tu b'Shevat? Please fill out a simple form to tell us about your participation, and (if you choose) your community will be listed on our partners list.”
This content originated at Canfei Nesharim.org.
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Here are some stories that might prove an inspiring addition to your Tu b’Shevat programs.
“Using Canfei Nesharim’s Materials this Tu b'Shevat? Please fill out a simple form to tell us about your participation, and (if you choose) your community will be listed on our partners list.”
This content originated at Canfei Nesharim.org.
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Jewish law and celebration have long reflected a deep connection to land, specifically to agricultural land in Israel. In fact, almost every Jewish holiday has at its core an agricultural connection. Exploring those values in addition to the holiday’s historic and religious themes, allows the teacher to provide a comprehensive Jewish educational experience that combines ethics, history and spirituality.
Use this table as a reference or as the basis for a discussion on the connection between the Jewish year and natural ecological and agricultural cycles.
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This is a handout on ways to make your shabbat dinner table more environmentally friendly. It has one quote to open it up to make the connection between Shabbat and environmental responsibility, but is best used in conjunction with more thorough learning on the issue.
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Take your group students on a tour of your local farmer's market.
Procedure:
1. Divide students into groups of 3 - 5 students.
2. Give each group a worksheet, pencil and $15
3. Direct students to fill in the worksheet by looking around the market, talking to shopper and vendors as directed.
4. After approx 25 minutes or when student are compete, reconvene.
5. Share answers and purchased snacks.
Materials developed by Noam Dolgin, www.noamdolgin.com.
All content is subject to the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Shar...
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Here are two adaptive translations of the 2nd Paragraph of the Shema.
Read aloud during prayer or study in hevrutah.
Shema 2nd Paragraph As Translate By Rabbi Arthur Version
"Listen, you Godwrestlers! -- YHWH, Yahh, the Interbreathing of all life, is the Name of our God -- and the Breath of Life is ONE.
"If you listen, REALLY listen to the teachings of YHWH, the Breath of Life, especially the teaching that there is Unity in the world and inter-connection among all its parts, then the rains will fall as they should, the rivers will run, ...
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To be filled out by participants who have recently studied the connection between shabbat and environmental responsibility.
Note, this activity involved writing so is not appropriate for all audiences on shabbat itself.]
Materials developed by Noam Dolgin and the Teva Learning Center
All content is subject to the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. (Ie. Tell other where you got it from and don't sell it)
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Goals:
To learn the primary role given human - l'ovdah u'lshomera - to serve and protect
To explore how the students can help make a difference in their lives
Duration: 20 minutes
Materials: workseets, pencils, markers.
Audience: Grades 1 - 4
Program:
1) Introduce the teaching from Genesis 2:15
"And G-d placed Ha'Adam in the Garen of Eden L'ovdah u'lshomerah, to serve and protect it" (work/guard, till/tend)
2) Discuss - What does this mean to serve and protect the planet.
3) Question - Where ...
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Take your group students on a tour of your local farmer's market.
Procedure:
1. Divide students into groups of 3 - 5 students.
2. Give each group a worksheet, pencil and $15
3. Direct students to fill in the worksheet by looking around the market, talking to shopper and vendors as directed.
4. After approx 25 minutes or when student are compete, reconvene.
5. Share answers and purchased snacks.
Materials developed by Noam Dolgin, www.noamdolgin.com.
All content is subject to the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercia...
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Goals:* To learn to apply responsibilities and values in the “real” world
To learn to need for compromise
To learn Jewish values related urban planning
Duration: 25 minutes
Materials: Build your city worksheets, pencils.
Program:
1) Divide students into groups of 2-4 students
2) Read the rules for play
The Teva Educators need a new place to live. Your help is required to build us a new city in accordance with Jewish law and environmental sustainability,
i. Sit down with your group and examine the Jewish ...
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Tu B’Shvat Is here? How can we talk about trees when everything outside is bare and spring seems so far away?
Background:
In North America, January is a strange time for us to celebrate trees and spring, so what should we do with this quirky annual holiday? In modern times, Tu B’shvat has assumed many roles: a chance to reflect on the land of Israel (which is starting to bloom); a chance to reflect on the state of our planet (the destruction of forests and the warming of the climate); and a chance to celebrate the gifts of life that trees and ...
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Materials developed by Noam Dolgin and the Teva Learning Center
All content is subject to the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. (Ie. Tell other where you got it from and don't sell it)
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Help cut down on waste and try some of these environmentally friendly gift ideas this Hanukkah:
Save paper and send an e-card. You can design it yourself! There are dozens of on-line sites to do this. You could also make your own card with recycled paper if you're feeling artistic! To create an e-card, visit one of the following Web sites:
www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/chanukah/ecard.html
www.e-cards.com/catalog/cat-selection.pl?cat=Hanukkah
www.newdream.org/greeting/servlet/cardCreation
Make your own gifts! Especially from children, ...
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Day 1: Do a personal and communal energy audit. Record energy usage throughout your school with a focus on wasted energy. Optional, do this each day for the full week of Hanukah
Day 2: Bike, walk, Bus or Carpool to school day. Hold a special day for alternative forms of transportation. Hold a special raffle for anyone who reduced their footprint on their way to school
Day 3: Re-used, re-gifted and home made gift exchange. Hold a Hanukah gift exchange, but you are only allowed to give gifts that are not purchased.
Day 4: Waste Free Lunch. Hold a special ...
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This Hanukah, make each day special and extend the miracle of energy conservation through 8 Days, 8 Actions. Eight simple actions, for your school and for your home, to help conserve energy, slow global climate change, and save money!
8 Days, 8 Actions for your Home
Day 1: Replace an old fashion incandescent light bulb with an energy efficient Compact Fluorescent bulb. Uses approximately 1/5 the amount of energy and last up to 7 years.
Day 2: Make a plan to decrease your car use. Automobiles emit greenhouse gas emissions (CO2 and NOx) and contribute to ...
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An example of a modern environmental Hanukah song, try writing your own.
(sung to the tune of "I Have a Little Dreidel")
Source: Unkown
I have a little lightbulb
It's called a compact fluorescent
It's better than the usual bulb
And makes a great Hanukah present
Refrain:
Oh lightbulb, lightbulb, lightbulb
It helps save energy
Oh lightbulb, lightbulb, lightbulb
Come save the world with me!
The thing about this lightbulb
Is that it gives off much less heat
And therefore uses less electr...
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