The Jewish National Fund (JNF) will kick off over a week’s worth of Tu Bi’Shevat activities starting with Tu Bi’Shevat at the Manitoba Children’s Museum, followed by the second annual Evening Among the Trees and concluding with the Tu Bi’Shevat Telethon.

On Saturday, January 31 JNF Manitoba/Saskatchewan Executive Director Rob Berkowits will be speaking at Congregation Shaarey Zedek to bring greetings and explain the connection between Tu Bi’Shevat and the Jewish National Fund.

The ever popular Tu Bi’Shevat at the Manitoba Children’s Museum will see JNF and Congregation Shaarey Zedek come together to organize crafts, games, face painting and much more for families on Sunday, February 1. One of the many highlights will be planting sunflower seeds in recycled JNF blue boxes, along with other activities that teach children about trees and Israel including a giant scavenger hunt, free play and a special birthday cake for the trees. The cost is $7.50 if pre-registered by January 25, 2015 with Shaarey Zedek (by calling (204) 452-3711) or $10 at the door after January 26, 2015.

Evening Among the Trees will take place Saturday, February 7 in the tropical rainforest of the Assiniboine Park Conservatory at 8:00 pm.  This 18+ event will feature dancing and live music by Shayla Fink and Kinzey Posen, along with a Tu Bi’Shevat Seder. To register, call Congregation Etz Chayim at (204) 589-6305 by Monday, February 2.  Tickets cost $18, but increase to $25 for late registrants and those who show up at the door.  This growing event is co-hosted by JNF, Congregation Etz Chayim, the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg and Congregation Shaarey Zedek.

Finally, be ready to answer our call on Sunday, February 8 as we hold our annual Tu Bi’Shevat Telethon in the Rady JCC Multi-Purpose Room from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm.  This year, we are raising money for security plantings to protect communities along the Gaza border, which live under constant threat of rocket fire.  JNF will be committing all tree planting efforts to the communities of Halutza, which will be protected by the physical and visual barrier the trees will provide.

Tu B’Shevat, which falls on Wednesday, February 4, celebrates the new year of the trees.  It is fitting that JNF has adopted this holiday as their own following all of the sustainable and environmental work that they have done in Israel over the past 114 years.

“We proudly think of Tu Bi’Shevat as not only the world’s first earth day, but also as JNF’s holiday.  It embodies our dedication to Israel, and our dedication to ecology, environmentalism and conservation,” says Executive Director Rob Berkowits.

Since 1901, JNF has planted over 240 million trees in Israel, which help maintain forest health, combat desertification, protect watersheds, and manage water flow.

The Jewish National Fund of Canada (JNF) is a registered charitable organization established in 1901 with the goal of purchasing land in Israel, and has been the sole agency responsible for the development and infrastructure of land and settlements there.  Today, JNF’s work focuses on five areas: water conservation and recycling, forestry, environmental education, community development and environmental research and development.