Community Corner

Celebrating the New Year for Trees

The Canton Chai Jewish Center's Women's Circle celebrated Tu B'Shevat.

By Dr. Rebecca Housel

The Canton Chai Jewish Center’s Women’s Circle celebrated Tu B’Shevat in style with local chef extraordinaire, Lisa Flashenberg, who taught women from all over the South Shore about using fresh fruits, vegetables, and nuts to make salads in a cooking workshop. Tu B’Shevat celebrations often include a variety of fruits and nuts from different trees. But why have a new year for trees?

Tu B’Shevat is sometimes referred to as the Israeli Arbor Day but in fact, the phrase is simply a date. The word “Tu” isn’t a word at all but the combination of two Hebrew letters that share numeric values—that of nine and six. When added together, “Tu” equals the number 15. The other part of the phrase, “B’Shevat” means “in the month of Shevat.” The 15th day of Shevat is the New Year for Trees or “Rosh Hashanah La’Ilanot.” In Jewish tradition, the Tree of Life (etz chaim) is Torah. Trees are often used as an analogy for the Jewish people to better understand how, like the leaves and branches on a tree, we may only be nourished if connected to our roots. The Women’s Circle will be continuing the theme of connecting to our roots throughout the year by studying great Jewish women of the Bible.

Find out what's happening in Cantonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The celebration continued with more workshops over the course of the day, remembering how all Jews are rooted to the land of Israel. Tu B’Shevat is often celebrated in Israel by the planting of trees. An important part of the Jewish culture, whether in Israel or America, is something called Tikun Olam, or “repairing the world.” When we plant trees, we help the earth. Trees help purify the air; they provide shade and shelter to people, birds, insects, and animals alike. And every living creature can benefit from eating a tree’s bounty, whether juicy fruits or crunchy nuts. All people are rooted to the earth; by celebrating the New Year for Trees, Jews everywhere recognize that connection, renewing their promise to stay connected, not only to each other, but to nature, and, God.

The Women’s Circle is a project of the Canton Chai Jewish Center. There are no membership fees; meetings and workshops are held once a month. The Women’s Circle welcomes all women from any denomination and of all ages who wish to learn more about Jewish life and traditions. The Canton Chai Jewish Center was founded by Rabbi Mendy Horowitz and his wife, Rivkah. If you would like to learn more, volunteer, or join the Women’s Circle for next month’s meeting, please contact Rivkah Horowitz at: JewishCanton@gmail.com

Find out what's happening in Cantonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A favorite salad of the evening was a Spinach, hearts of palm, and avocado salad with a fabulous dressing. Spinach, Hearts of Palm Salad

8– 10 SERVINGS

2 (6 oz.) bags fresh baby spinach
1 (15 oz.) can whole hearts of palm, drained, and sliced
1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes
2 avocados, pitted, peeled, and diced
10 oz. mushrooms, sliced
½ cup salted cashews

Dressing;

6 tablespoons canola oil

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup ketchup

1/4 cup white vinegar

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon mustard

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 large clove garlic, minced

Toss spinach, hearts of palm, tomatoes, avocados, mushrooms, and almonds together in a large serving bowl. Combine sugar, salt, dry mustard, paprika, oil, vinegar, ketchup, and garlic in a small bowl and whisk until combined. Toss dressing with salad and serve.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here