Tu B’Shvat was a vibrant (and delicious) celebration at Beth Israel

By Regan Lipes

(Edmonton) – In the Lipes home, our Talmud Torah attending youngsters were ready for Tu B’shvat well before the 15th of Shevat with tree-themed artistic creations, circle-time stories, and songs. Even with thick mounds of snow as far as the eye could see, New Year of the Trees, was in full vibrant bloom. Long before their Tu B’Shvat art projects went up on the walls, mass preparations at Beth Israel Synagogue were well underway. Organizers had a big vision, and what came to fruition certainly did not disappoint!

The Beth Israel Tu B’Shvat celebration, graciously sponsored by Howard and Leah Goldford, was extremely well attended, and organizers even set up extra tables to accommodate last-minute registrants. Teenagers gathered at their own table eager to catch up with one another, while parents and younger siblings settled themselves for a beautiful dinner service and Tu B’Shvat seder. A long table that stretched almost the entire length of the social hall was set up with marvelously eye-catching delicacies. Volunteers helped serve these scrumptious masterpieces that all carefully incorporated fruits and grains in inventive and tasty ways. Pasta salad was deliciously dressed up with the addition of grapes, olives were plentiful, and soul-fueling piping hot soup boasted extra helpings of barley. Although kid-pleasing favorites like hot dogs and fries also adorned plates, the traditional Tu B’Shvat tasty treats took centre stage.

This was truly the ‘Family Shul’ as there was something for everyone: kids of all ages, parents, grandparents, and singles. After bellies had been joyfully filled, Rabbi Guy Tal led the Tu B’Shvat seder explaining the significance of the seven foods mentioned in the Torah: wheat, barley, figs, dates, olives, pomegranates, and grapes. Meanwhile, supervised by NCSY teens, smaller children ran exuberantly through both women’s sections of the sanctuary harvesting hidden letters in a scavenger hunt to spell out the words “Happy Tu B’Shvat.” Our little ones, younger than the rest, took the task exceedingly seriously, and our five-year-old Jacob, all but exploded with excitement when he found an ‘H’ tucked behind a siddur. This made our three-year-old Tamara so envious that she had to enlist her oldest brother Benji to help her in her search.

Returning to the social hall, out of breath and smiling, kiddos congregated on the floor with their families in front of a projector. Rabbi Tal led participants in a Kahoot with must-know Tu B’Shvat facts and trivia. For those who do not know what Kahoot is, not to worry, many adults relied on their teenagers to walk them through this interactive quiz game. Rabbi Tal read out questions with multiple choice answers, and players would input their answers on their phones. Almost instantly the analytic data was published on the screen sending out shouts of victory among the crowd. Things got competitive: but in a fun-for-the-whole-family, kind of way. Team-Lipes was divided into Benji and Jacob against their dad who grew up in Israel. To the amazement of my husband, his ferociously competitive sons left him in the dust!  Families were so engaged by the game that upon completion, Rabbi Tal brought up the quiz from last year and the fun continued.

The community thanks Howard and Leah Goldford for their generous hosting of Beth Israel’s Tu B’Shvat celebration this year. Every member of the Lipes family had a truly memorable time, and I can safely say that we were not the only ones.  ‘The New Year of the Trees’ is a time of promise and optimism for the Jewish people, to recognize and be thankful for the fruits of the Holyland of Eretz Israel, and to pray to Hashem while meaningfully connecting with the gifts of the Earth He created. It was an excellent turnout for a blisteringly cold Wednesday night, but the success of the event left everyone smiling and Rabbi Tal’s explanations and elaborations provided lasting substance for reflection and spiritual contemplation.

Regan Lipes is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter