The Gather Guide: What’s happening for Tu B’Shevat?
By Caroline Kessler on February 1, 2023
The Jewish “New Year of the Trees” quickly approaches and although it’s a “minor” holiday, there’s some majorly sweet stuff happening in the East Bay & beyond. This is a special holiday to think about what you want to seed/blossom/grow in the coming months as we emerge from winter.
Friday, Feb. 3
🌴 Wilderness Torah & Chochmat HaLev are teaming up (a rare but potent combo!) for a Tu B’Shevat service at 7pm at Chochmat in South Berkeley. Come early (5.30-6.45pm) for a family/community potluck and/or stay late for HeartSpace (a group of 30-something folks), a musical hang in the courtyard with Lauren Arrow & Melita Silberstein. KN95/N95 masks required. More details here — do register in advance if you’re going in-person as the service tends to fill up. No need to register if joining via Zoom.
Sunday, Feb. 5
Holiday officially starts at sundown!
🌱 Volunteer at the Gill Tract Farm with the JCC East Bay & Repair the World, 2-4pm in Albany. Get your hands dirty, do some Jewish learning, be outdoors, 2-4pm. Nosh provided, free sign-up here. Email emma.regev@jcceastbay.org with questions.
🌿 Head to San Francisco to volunteer with Jewish Family & Children’s Services to plant and garden with elders. 3-4pm in Japantown, free registration.
🌲 Moishe House Berkeley will be hiking in Redwood Regional, 1-3.30pm. Be in the trees, read some Jewish texts, connect with new folks. More details and registration here.
Monday, Feb. 6
🍷 Urban Adamah and Jewtina Y Co are hosting a 7-course dinner/seder at the farm—learn about the seven sacred species, eat & drink to your heart’s content. 7-10pm, rapid or PCR test required as people will be sitting close together. Sliding scale $54-118, tickets here.
🍇 Or, head to Moishe House Rockridge for an intimate Kabbalistic seder, 6.30-9pm. Indoors, masks optional, lots of snacks & delights to consume but do eat a full meal before coming. Email oaklandmoishe@gmail.com with questions. Free registration but attendance is capped at 20 people.
Saturday, Feb. 11
🥾 A little bit later, volunteer with Moishe House Berkeley and Trees of Oakland to do some tree-planting and digging. Lots of things to bring: closed-toed shoes, clothes that you can get dirty, and a hat for sun protection, water, lunch, & a snack! They’ll provide the shovels, picks, brooms, and gloves, bring ‘em too if you have extra! Outdoors, masks optional. RSVP.