COMMUNITY NEWS
The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia
mobilizes financial and volunteer resources to
address the communities’ most critical priorities
locally, in Israel and around the world.

Three Ways to Celebrate Jewish Earth Day
JAN. 21, IN addition to celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., this
year we also happen to celebrate Tu B’Shevat.

Known as the “Festival of the Trees,” the holiday traditionally celebrates the
blooming of Israel’s almond trees and the pending return of spring. Lately, however,
a growing movement of Jewish environmental activists have infused the holiday
with fresh meaning by turning it into a wider appreciation of nature and an oppor-
tunity to consider the ways in which Judaism informs our obligations around issues
like climate change, sustainability, food production and consumerism.

We can all take small steps in our daily
lives towards a greener world. Here are a
few ways you can join with community to
be a little greener this Tu B’Shevat:
3. Learn at Kallah: Night of Jewish Learning.

On Jan. 19, the Kehillah of Bux-Mont and Kehillah of Chester County present
“Three T’s: Torah, Tikkun Olam, Tu B’Shevat,” an evening of teachings by local
scholars and rabbis. Delve into the mystical significance of trees in the Torah; the
modern religious response to today’s environmental crisis; and, with our Jewish
Federation’s own shlicha, stories about the seven species. More details can be
found at jewishphilly.org/events.

However you choose to celebrate, chag sameach.

1. Attend the Jewish Farm School seder.

A seder not on Passover? Yes, indeed:
Tu B’Shevat seders are an old tradi-
tion now making a comeback among
the ecologically-minded. Our Jewish
Federation-supported Jewish Farm School
is co-hosting one such seder with Kol
Tzedek synagogue on Jan. 31. Registration
is required at kol-tzedek.org/tu-bshevat-
2018.html for this intimate discussion
about climate change and climate justice.

2. Conduct your own seder with Hazon’s
Free Haggadah.

Our Hungry for Change food confer-
ence partner Hazon — the “Jewish lab
for sustainability” — has compiled a
thoughtful, creative and free downloadable
Haggadah for Tu B’Shevat. Updated for
2019, it encourages us to examine our rela-
tionships with food, Israel, trees and the
wider world, including a social justice com-
ponent in honor of MLK Day. To download
a copy, visit hazon.org/tu-bshvat.

Be a Super (Sunday) Hero
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A HERO? Do you need superhuman
strength, the ability to fly, an intergalactic backstory and inner turmoil?
Sure, that helps. But sometimes, being a hero means showing up when your
community needs you. And we’re calling on you to be our superhero by join-
ing us for Super Sunday on Feb. 24.

Super Sunday is the Jewish Federation’s largest day of community
fundraising when, working together, we make phone calls to secure
vital resources for our Jewish communities. Last year, with your help,
we provided food assistance to 17,606 local low-income individuals;
educated 1,779 Greater Philadelphians about the Holocaust; granted
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 2,276 scholarships for Jewish learning and camping locally; and so
much more.

This year, let’s do even more to serve vulnerable populations, inspire com-
munity engagement and support Jewish life and learning. With five Super
Sunday locations — in Center City, Bala Cynwyd, Malvern, Fort Washington
and Newtown — it’s never been easier to Carry the Light.

Be a Super Sunday hero: Spend time with friends and neighbors while keep-
ing our Jewish communities strong. For information (including shift times,
child care info, FAQs and our volunteer training video) or to register, visit
jewishphilly.org/supersunday. JEWISH EXPONENT
JANUARY 17, 2019
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