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Tu B’Shevat Greetings from Irene Rudnick,
Assistant Head of JCDSRI 

Dear Families,

On January 30th the Jewish world celebrates Tu B’Shevat, the 15th of the Hebrew month of Shevat. It is acknowledged as the new year of trees for several reasons. One reason is that at this time in Israel the rains begin to slacken, and the roots and branches of the trees begin to awaken to begin their growth cycles once again. Tu B’Shevat can be understood as a time of renewal, of connecting to nature, and a time to renew our commitment to protect this world we live in by being environmentally aware and active. Some of the traditions for Tu B’Shevat that have developed over the years are to plant trees in Israel through the JNF (for which your students brought home envelopes) and to have a Tu B’Shevat Seder at which we eat native Israeli fruits and four glasses of wine that vary from white to pink to red with many different symbolisms connected to these traditions.

For us, in Rhode Island, Tu B’Shevat comes in the middle of winter, a time when it is often desolate and cold. How lovely to think and dream ahead to a time when trees are blooming and giving us their fruits, when our JCDS garden will overflow with fruits, vegetables and herbs. Here at JCDSRI, our teachers and staff are lovingly and consistently tending to our other garden, your children. No matter how cold or dreary it may be outside, inside this building is warmth and excitement as our staff plants and nourishes the seeds and young stalks with care and diligence, watching them sprout and grow and bloom. Just as Tu B’Shevat teaches us that all living things are connected and interdependent, we celebrate the JCDSRI community; parents, teachers, students, Board members, and friends whose on-going commitment to this school and to each other are part of what makes JCDSRI such a special place for our children.

May we all be renewed in our efforts and energies to continue the important work we do.

L’Vracha,
Renee Rudnick
Assistant Head of School

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