It’s likely you know of Chanukah (or Hanukkah). You’ve probably heard of Yom Kippur and Passover (aka Pesach). At some point, you may have come across Rosh Hashanah and Purim too.
But this is usually where people’s knowledge of Jewish holidays stops.
Today is Tu Bishvat (also spelt Tu B’Shevat) and it is likely unknown to most outside of Judaism. It is also known as Rosh HaShanah La'Ilanot.
This minor, one-day festival is also known as the ‘New Year for Trees’. It’s effectively a festival dedicated to nature, centered around giving thanks to the natural world.
In contemporary times, the day is mainly one for ecological awareness with trees planted in celebration. It's sometimes called Jewish Earth Day, as Jewish communities around the world engage in actions and activism related to the environment.
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