The Jewish holiday of Tu B’Shevat is observed this week on Wednesday evening and Thursday, February 12-13. The Hebrew date is the 15th day of Shevat. It’s a lesser known holiday in which we celebrate the New Year of Trees as spring returns.
There are a number of lovely customs surrounding the holiday, including planting trees or attending a seder at which different types of fruits are eaten. Personally, I love walking in the woods and appreciating each tree, how it interacts with those around it, and how it affects me.
I wrote this poem to honor trees. As I re-read it again and again, I’m finding it gives me strength in these trying times. I hope you will find similar strength.
TREES
By Irene Stern Frielich
Strength
and grace.
Deeply rooted
while reaching for the sky.
Sleeping
then waking
then blossoming
then returning to rest.
Bark. Sap. Limbs. Leaves.
Textures, colors, scents, movement.
Here for animals and insects and moss.
Here for us, for each other.
Nurturing the world with their
wisdom
and presence.
Trees ground us. And take us
outside ourselves. And
within ourselves. So we can
be our better selves.
I hope you will enjoy a sweet walk in the woods this week!
News about Shattered Stars, Healing Hearts
January was intense, in many ways. For my Shattered Stars work, I spoke at 3 libraries and a 55+ community, and appeared at a book club. It was fun and meaningful and insightful. I’ve learned that a lot of people aren’t aware of some of the significant historic events that happened in Germany in the 1930s-1940s. As a result, I started posting “Did You Know…” tidbits on Facebook and will continue when I can.
In February, I’ll be presenting my multimedia presentation in Florida:
- Feb 20 at 7pm at Bnai Aviv in Weston, FL
- Feb 23 at 7pm in Delray Beach, FL (message me for location details)
- Feb 24 at 7pm at St. Gregory’s Church in Boca Raton
For details, please visit https://shatteredstars.org/events/ or message me.
The presentation is about my father’s survival in Germany and the Netherlands. It is a story told by my father (via audio clips) with help from me, and focuses on the upstanders who helped him. I talk about the importance of standing up and speaking out. It is a message that is as essential as ever.
Feel free to share this info with your friends and family in south Florida. Let’s consider ways we can all make a difference in this world.
Photo: An epic tree in the Botanical Gardens in Bath, England from my September 2024 visit.
