Tu B'Shvat is a Jewish holiday falling on the 15th of the Hebrew month of Shevat, typically in January or February. Originally an agricultural marker for tithing fruit trees, it is now widely celebrated as the 'New Year of the Trees' and is closely associated with Jewish environmentalism.

What foods are traditionally eaten on Tu B'Shvat?

Many people eat fruits associated with the land of Israel, especially the biblical 'seven species': wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates.

What is a Tu B'Shvat seder?

A Tu B'Shvat seder is a ritual meal, inspired by the Passover seder, developed by 16th-century Jewish mystics in Safed. It involves eating different categories of fruit and drinking four cups of wine or juice that shift from white to red.

How is Tu B'Shvat connected to environmentalism?

Tu B'Shvat's historical focus on trees and the land made it a natural anchor for the modern Jewish environmental movement, which draws on traditional concepts like bal tashchit (avoiding wasteful destruction) alongside tree-planting customs.

Do I need to be religious to celebrate Tu B'Shvat?

No. Tu B'Shvat has relatively little formal liturgy, making it one of the most accessible Jewish holidays for secular, cultural, and newly-exploring families to celebrate.

Tu B’Shvat: The Jewish New Year for Trees

Quick answer: Tu B’Shvat, sometimes called the “New Year of the Trees,” is a minor Jewish holiday that falls in mid-winter (the Hebrew month of Shevat) and has become closely associated with Jewish environmentalism and tree planting. It’s an easy, low-pressure holiday for any family to mark — through a fruit-focused meal, a nature walk, or planting a tree — regardless of religious background.

What is Tu B’Shvat?

Tu B’Shvat marks the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat, which typically falls in January or February. Its name literally refers to that date (“Tu” is the Hebrew numeral 15). Historically, it began as an agricultural marker — a cutoff date used for calculating the age of fruit trees for tithing purposes in ancient Israel — rather than a holiday centered on prayer or elaborate ritual. Over time, especially over the last century, it has evolved into a broader celebration of trees, nature, and the land, and today it’s often called the Jewish Arbor Day.

From agricultural marker to environmental holiday

Tu B’Shvat’s transformation into an environmental holiday isn’t a modern invention layered on top of an unrelated tradition — it grew naturally out of the holiday’s original focus on trees and the fruit of the land. In the 16th century, Jewish mystics in the town of Safed developed a Tu B’Shvat seder, modeled on the Passover seder, built around eating symbolic fruits and discussing themes of growth and renewal. In the 20th century, the holiday became closely tied to tree-planting efforts in the land of Israel, and today it’s widely embraced as a day to focus on environmental responsibility and appreciation of the natural world.

Ways to mark Tu B’Shvat

Eat symbolic fruits

A common way to mark the day is to eat fruits associated with the land of Israel, especially the “seven species” mentioned in the Torah: wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates. Some families also make a point of trying a new fruit they haven’t eaten before, as a way of marking the occasion with something a little different.

Hold a Tu B’Shvat seder

Modeled loosely on the Passover seder, a Tu B’Shvat seder involves eating different categories of fruit (those with inedible shells, those with edible skins and inedible pits, and those eaten whole) alongside four cups of wine or juice that shift in color from white to red, symbolizing the changing seasons. Many family-friendly and secular versions of this seder are easy to find and adapt.

Plant a tree, or support tree planting

Tree planting, especially in Israel, has become one of the most recognizable Tu B’Shvat customs. Depending on your climate, this might mean planting something directly, or supporting a tree-planting organization or environmental cause instead.

Spend time outdoors

Even a simple nature walk, a visit to a local park, or a conversation with kids about caring for the environment fits naturally with the spirit of the day.

Why Tu B’Shvat resonates with Jewish environmentalism today

Tu B’Shvat has become a natural anchor point for the broader Jewish environmental movement — a growing space of organizations, educators, and communities connecting Jewish tradition to sustainability, conservation, and climate action. Concepts like bal tashchit (a traditional principle against wasteful destruction) and the Jewish agricultural calendar more broadly are often cited as early expressions of environmental responsibility, and Tu B’Shvat gives those ideas a yearly, tangible focal point.

A holiday with no barrier to entry

Because Tu B’Shvat has relatively little formal liturgy compared to other Jewish holidays, it’s one of the easiest entry points for newcomers, secular families, interfaith households, or anyone exploring Jewish tradition for the first time. There’s no expectation of Hebrew fluency, synagogue attendance, or prior observance — just an invitation to eat some fruit, think about trees, and connect Jewish tradition to caring for the planet.

Finding a Tu B’Shvat community event

Many communities, schools, and organizations hold Tu B’Shvat seders, tree plantings, or family programs open to everyone. Check Jewish Events to see what’s happening near you, or browse the Community Explorer to connect with local Jewish community and environmental groups.

Bringing environmentalism into your Jewish life year-round

If Tu B’Shvat sparks a longer-term interest in Jewish environmentalism, a few ways to keep building on it:

Look for volunteer or Chessed opportunities focused on community gardens, cleanups, or sustainability projects
If you’re considering a move to a community with strong environmental or agricultural programs, browse Real Estate or Rentals
Some Jewish environmental organizations and eco-focused programs post openings under Jobs
Running a Tu B’Shvat event, tree planting, or environmental program yourself? You can add a listing to help others find it

A small holiday with a big message

Tu B’Shvat may be a minor holiday in the traditional religious calendar, but its message — that caring for trees, land, and the natural world is a Jewish value with ancient roots — resonates well beyond any single level of observance. Whatever your background, it’s an easy and meaningful day to make your own.

By the HeimishMart Community Desk — HeimishMart is the community marketplace for Jewish homes, jobs, and local life across North America.