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Torah
Happy New
Year, Trees
Exhibit at JCC highlights customs
and observances of Tu b'Shevat.
SHELLI LIEBMAN DORFMAN
Staff Writer
T
he lobby of the Jewish Community Center in Oak Park was
filled with the fun of Tu b'Shevat for the holiday — with a col-
orful, informative, three-dimensional display.
Multimedia creations of wheat, barley, grapes, figs, olives,
dates and pomegranates graced the display. "These items portray the seven
fruits and grains that Israel is praised for," said Miriam Amzalak, president
of the Lubavitch Women's Organization of Michigan, which sponsored the
display.
"The custom of
eating these foods on
Tu b'Shevat reminds
wallts
us that on this holi-
day we should plant
trees and eat a new
fruit we haven't eaten
that year, especially a
fruit from Israel."
Described as the
"New Year for Trees,"
s
the holiday marks the
beginning for the
new crops in Israel.
A calendar on the
table is turned to the
Tu b'Shevat display page that marks the 15th day of the Hebrew month
of Shevat, for which the holiday is named. The dis-
table in the lobby
of the Oak Park
play, created by Tamar Meer of Oak Park, includes
JCC.
the blessing for eating a new fruit, displayed in both
Hebrew and English, informational brochures and a
word search game for children to take with them.
The exhibit was part of an ongoing teaching pro-
gram of the women's group. Already on view is another display — on the
meaning of prayer. This was also created by Meer, along with the 10th
grade class at Beis Chaya Mushka High School in Oak Park. This display
will be in the Oak Park JCC lobby until Sunday, Feb. 2. ❑
norm
.
From top:
A cutout of a firmer surrounded by his crop
sits next to a calendar marking Tu b'Shevat.
Hebrew and English wording for blessings
said over the fruits tasted on Tu b'Shevat.
1/31
2003
53