Dear Friends,
What a crazy winter it has been. A few weeks ago, the City of Houston was crippled by ice and snow. School was canceled and the freeways were empty for two full days. Then, within days, temperatures climbed into the mid-sixties. Our weather patterns are so strange that the trees throughout our city are not sure what to do.
Crazy as the weather may be, today Jews around the world are celebrating Tu B’Shevat (Jewish Arbor Day, which falls on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat). On this special day devoted to ecological awareness, we take time to recognize the value and importance of trees in the world.
In honor of Tu B’Shevat, try spending some time with the trees this week. Consider some of the ecological challenges that face us today around the globe. Think about your own habits and how they may impact the environment in positive and/or negative ways. Let Tu B’Shevat serve as a means to appreciate the delicate ecological balance of the earth and its ongoing call to us to protect it for generations to come.
L’Shalom-Steve