Masorti Olami

Masorti kehillot all around the world celebrated the festival of Tu Bishvat at the end of January 2010 (Shvat 5770).
Kehillot from all parts of the world sent us reports and stories from their Tu Bishvat celebrations, and below you can find a round-up of just some of the wonderful Tu Bishvat seders, tree plantings and other events.
 
Click here (or on any of the pictures below) for a full album of pictures from Tu Bishvat 5770 events in Masorti kehillot around the world.
 
If your kehillah celebrated Tu Bishvat and you would like to add your story to this worldwide round-up, please email Marcus Frieze.
  

	Rabbi Ron Hoffberg in Prague told us that his kehillah held a Tu Bishvat seder on Shabbat afternoon at the home of the kehillah’s president. Members braved the snow and enjoyed the seder, followed by an Israel Update from Israel's Consul to the Czech Republic, followed by Havdallah. Pictured is the Tu Bishvat seder
	In Entre Rios, Argentina, Asociación Israelita de Paraná, had new Rabbi Sebastian Vainstein, lead them in a tree-planting ceremony during a weekend camping trip at the David Ben Gurion campsite. The kehillah planted a mandarin tree near the campsite’s playground, and then heard an explanation from Rabbi Vainstein about Tu Bishvat and the New Year for trees. The ceremony ended with the kehillah tasting a variety of fruits and nuts of diverse colors and flavors. Pictured is the new Rabbi with kehillah members
	Liz Operdijk from St Albans Masorti Synagogue in the UK let us know that members of her kehillah helped plant 1000 trees in new Hertfordshire forest for Tu Bishvat. Around 150 children and parents from a total of four local synagogues worked with the Woodland Trust’s Heartwood Forest, to plant over 1000 trees, in what will become England’s largest native forest. The children also experienced a full education program based on the links between the environment and Tu Bishvat. Talya Baker, Cheder Head Teacher at St Albans Masorti Synagogue, commented "When I was a child, Tu Bishvat was spent fundraising for trees to be planted in Israel but probably never seen. How fantastic it is for them to be able to come to Heartwood Forest and say that they planted trees here with their Cheder." Pictured are tree planting participants.
	In Alicante, Spain, Armando Azubel from Masorti kehillah Comunidad Judia celebrated Tu Bishvat with around 45 adults and kids who participated in a seudah with fruits, wine and vegetables.  Rabbi Carlos Tapiero from Israel, sent explanations and other materials which helped the kehillah understand the significance of Tu Bishvat. The kehillah's children planted a tree at the end of the celebration. Pictured are children getting ready to plant the tree.
	In Buenos Aires, Seminary Student Sebastian Grimberg, facilitated the Tu Bishvat celebrations at Kehilat El Jai. Following the Shacharit service on Shabbat, congregants enjoyed a traditional Tu Bishvat Seder, where they ate different fruits, drank 4 cups of wine and sang songs. The following day, members of the congregation also attended a tree planting, with children taking home small saplings to grow for themselves. Pictured are congregants getting ready to plant the tree.
	Elisabeth Sabbah, from Maayane Or in Nice, France shared information about the kehillah’s Tu BiShvat celebrations which took place on Janurary 31st starting at Thuret Gardens in Cap d'Antibes. 27 adults and 15 children brave the snow to enjoy a tour of the gardens, and heard explanations about different varieties and behaviors of trees from a guide. The snow meant that the planned tree planting and picnic could not take place, but back at the synagogue, congregants warmly celebrated the festival with fruits, songs and stories. Pictured is one of the kehillah's children next to the tree they planted last year.
	Bill Kunin from Leeds in the UK told us that Leeds Masorti held its by-now traditional Tu BiShvat seder alongside their Friday night service.  The timing of the holiday this year meant that they had to do without their usual slide show, but the fruit and the singing were sweet as ever.   Ria Okret from NCI (Nueva Congregacion Israelita) in Montevideo, Uruguay explained that it's summertime there right now, and although many people are on vacation, the kehillah celebrated Tu BiShvat on Shabbat after the service. The Kiddush included a wonderful TuBishvat Seder with different kinds of fruit with and without seeds, with and without skins, and local as well as Israeli fruits. The congregants drank 4 cups of red and white wine, which was mixed in different proportions according to the season they were talking about at that point in the seder.
	Mario Stofenmacher in Madrid sent us information about Kehillat Bet El’s celebration of Tu Bishvat which was attended by the Deputy Mayor of the city of Alcobendas, Spain. The day started with the 70 people planting almond trees, and continued with an indoor activity all about nature led by local madrichim (counselors). After refreshments, the madrichim led a walk in the park, during which they pointed out the different plants and trees that could be seen. The full day of nature related activities ended with an impressive tour of Madrid’s Bonsai museum.  Pictured are children helping to plant one of the almond trees.
	Rabbi Marcelo Bater of Temple Beth Israel in Plantation, Florida let us know that on Sunday, January 31st, members of the congregation and the Religious Studies school planted trees in the grounds of the kehillah’s new synagogue. The event was so special because so many families came together to share together the joy of planting and their growing commitment to seeing what you sow.  Pictured are tree planting participants.
	Manuela Videira from Kehillat Beit Israel in Lisbon, Portugal told us that members of the kehillah and some visitors celebrated Tu BiShvat at her and husband Carlos’ home.  The celebration included planting a tree and music from members who played the bagpipes and a violin. Pictured are children helping to plant the tree.
	In Sao Paolo, Brazil, Congregation Israelita Paulista (CIP)’s Rabbi Michel Schlesinger wrote an interesting article all about Tu Bishvat for a local newspaper. Read it here in English or Portuguese.