I can recall as a child bringing home forms from Hebrew School. We were encouraged to buy trees to plant in Israel. Buying a tree to plant in someone else's backyard (Israel) is a very Jewish thing. We buy them for weddings, bar mitzvah's, funerals- everyone can always use a tree. Really.
Politics aside, I like to believe that the Israelis have built in Israel something that no other country, no other people could do. What was once a barren dessert now blooms with flowers. Israelis are known as farmers- flowers, trees, fruit, vegetables. I like to think that my little trees have contributed to that development.
On February 3rd- the fifteenth day of the month of Shevat- we will celebrate Tu B'shevat- essentially it is a Jewish Arbor Day. As part of my celebration, I would like to focus on trees in Jewish Art here in the Journal.
Today's beautiful works are from Jeanette Kuvin Oren . Jeanette creates in quilts and fabric but designs as well in mosaic and stained glass. The Hebrew in the piece below says Etz Chaim- tree of life.
