In addition to the wonderful acoustic guitar music played by Grant and Aliza, and the delicious spread of fruity treats, most present at the Tu Bishvat Cafe shared an insight or message that we can learn from trees on this Jewish New Year for Trees. (While we can’t remember everyone’s message, we try to remember a few below. If we missed yours, let us know and we’ll add it in).
Now that its winter we look about and see the evergreen trees still in full glory and the deciduous trees standing bare, looking more dead than alive. You might write off the trees who only keep their leaves when the seasons are warm and lose them when it gets too cold. But wait – evergreen trees don’t bear fruit. It’s the deciduous trees that bar fruit! Don’t underestimate them! (Justin R.)
Trees are an ecosystem of one! They provide food and shade and shelter for so many different types of animals and insects, from birds to squirrels, small bugs and everything in between. But trees don’t discriminate who they help. They provide and provide, regardless of who you are and what you may or may not offer in return. We have a lot to learn from that. (Aliza B.)
Trees are older than we are, they even have more chromosomes than we do. In that sense, you can think of a tree as an elder to respect. And as with trees who give us oxygen to breathe after absorbing the carbon dioxide we exhale, we have a give and take relationship with our elders as well. (Ariel B.)
Trees are deeply rooted, and yet or because of that, they also branch out. People ought to be that way, remain rooted and yet grow and expand at the same time. (Avi S.)
You can’t fly if you’re afraid to fall. It’s not exactly about trees, but its a great life lesson, and hey we can learn it from birds who live in the trees and learn to fly when very young. (Daniel P.)
Two years ago at this time I was in Ecuador doing a reforestation project. Our team planted between two to three thousand trees on that trip. (Rebecca P.)
I’m not the biggest fan of nature and the outdoors, but I do have a really nice memory of a picnic out under a nice tree with my family. (Lianne H.)
Branches may sway in the wind, but a trees roots and trunk are very strong and unwavering. That’s how our values and core stability ought to be, rock solid. (Dan L.)
Tu Bishvat is a time to reflect and recognize all that trees give us, from paper to guitars, wood in furniture and homes, and delicious fruit and shade and healthy oxygen to breathe. We have to be thankful! (Eliran R.)
It’s amazing how tall and beautiful trees grow, considering that they all start out as a tiny seed. Humans are that way as well, we may start small but we each have incredible potential for growth. (Olivia F.)
There are comparisons and lessons learned from trees to humans, one of which is the interesting custom not to cut a baby boy’s hair until he reaches age 3, which is similar to the law prohibiting harvesting of a trees fruits during its first 3 years of planting. (Larry G.)
Trees grow fast. Before you know it they spread roots, shoot up – it feels like college was that way. Not long ago I was just a freshman and now I’m graduating at the end of this semester! But a tree keeps growing, it keeps moving, it never stays stagnant. Humans, too, have to keep going and keep growing! (Gadi L.)
Trees have rings. They add a new ring for each year of life and growth. First of all its a message for us girls to get more rings and jewelry as we get older. In all seriousness, the ring markings show how we should celebrate and appreciate life’s milestones and not only the passing of time but have something to mark and recognize it. (Iris B.)
Roots are often underappreciated. They are usually hidden out of sight, buried deep in the earth. But its the roots that anchor the tree and support it, sustain and nourish it. Roots are what enable trees to grow tall and provide shade and bear fruit and be the magnificent and beautiful creations they are. All that is based in its roots. And the same with people. Its often the strengths and qualities, stories and connections that you don’t see up front which make the person you see what they are. (Rochel L.)
more coming soon…