Chabad honors tradition of TuB'Shevat
By Eliav Appelbaum eliav@theacorn.com

Photos by IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers FOR THE KIDS- Ysrael Gurary, 6, at left, colors in the top of a set of wind chimes during the TuB'Shevat Family Day at Chabad of Simi Valley. At right, Danit Rubanoff, 14, helps Chaya Mushka Gurary, 4, color a small pot in which she will plant a pine tree seed. The festival celebrates the Jewish New Year for Trees.

On Sunday, Chabad of Simi Valley invited the public to celebrate TuB'Shevat, a Jewish holiday that marks the New Year for trees.

Outside the Alamo Street Chabad, youngsters with shovels planted a variety of fruit trees under the guidance of member Tim Maston. Inside, children painted wind chimes and decorated flower pots with the help of Mimi Shapiro, another Chabad member.

For the adults, Alon Marer conducted a fruitcarving demonstration, creating a flower-like bouquet using watermelons, lemons, grapes, cantaloupe and other produce.

According to Rabbi Nosson Gurary, TuB'Shevat has evolved from a utilitarian holiday for farmers to a celebration evoking more poignant spiritual and social significance.

"It was originally just a day for farmers in Israel to start thinking about trees and the new season to plant before spring comes. But in a broader sense, human beings can be compared to trees," Gurary said. "Like trees, we need to bear fruit and have strong roots."

Children and adults alike found pleasure in planting five trees, which were donated to Chabad by Leonard Markowitz, who works for the city of Simi Valley.

According to Jewish law, the fruit from the five trees can't be eaten for three years.

"In three years, God willing, we'll all be here to enjoy the fruit," Maston said.

Many youngsters used whatever tools they could find- as long as they weren't too cumbersome- to shovel or scoop dirt around the slender trunks. On Sunday, they planted a pomegranate, a plum, an oroblanco and two peach trees. An oroblanco is a cross between a pomelo and a grapefruit.

"This is lots of fun. This is a great occasion to get together and for kids to do things in the community," said Manny Feldman, a member of Chabad who brought his three children to the event. "It's mainly for the kids."

While children worked feverishly on a peach tree, Feldman joked, "You guys are all invited to work in my backyard next week."

Feldman compared the nurturing of trees to raising children.

"A tree seeks light and has a tendency to grow up toward the light. People also search for light, search for a higher purpose," said the 15-year Simi Valley resident who grew up in Kiryat Ata, Israel.

"We have to protect trees. If there's a scratch on a young tree, it'll be deformed. When the tree is big and tall, a scratch won't be so bad. We have to shelter our kids when they're young so when they grow up, they'll be strong. There's a commandment not to destroy any tree that bears fruit. Trees are a gift from God."

Chabad has been in Simi Valley for nine years and moved to its current location in April 2006.

For more information about classes or other activities at the Chabad of Simi Valley, call (805) 577-0573.