blogs/masa

We woke up to snow on Sunday and Monday this week, but spring is on its way. This Sunday, we spent time celebrating Tu B’Shevat, the birthday of the trees. We imagined the experiences of trees, and spent time being grateful for all of the things they give us.

After our morning service, we spent time at different stations. Debbie taught the students about how Tu B’Shevat is celebrated in Israel, where spring has begun and it is a good time for planting trees and spending time outdoors. 

Jonathan took children outside, to connect with the experience of Tu B’Shevat in New York. The students really enjoyed connecting with the trees and the nature outside our door!

Carole led a session where the students learned about the surprising ways that trees communicate and build communities with each other. I encourage folks to watch the videos she shared with the children! Click here for a TEDTalk about tree communication. Click here for a shorter, animated explanation. And you can click here for another video about tree communication, or search YouTube for "how trees communicate."

Wendy helped the students to spend time mindfully tasting different foods, connecting to the different kinds of foods we eat at a Tu B’Shevat seder. They learned the different blessings, figured out how the different foods are produced, and discussed what each food might symbolize if they were choosing it for a seder.

Our B-Mitzvah class joined us at the end of the day to share some activities they designed to celebrate Tu B’Shevat with the younger children. One activity was a game where the children learned about the challenges of communication, and the other was an activity where they explored the different roots of kindness.

Updates:

No Masa this weekend due to the school holiday! Our regular schedule resumes on February 21.

This Saturday, the Beacon Players will be hosting a special night of remembrance, as a prelude to the play “I Never Saw Another Butterfly.” One of our Masa students, Asha Marcus, is taking part in the play and the event, and everyone is welcome!

The Purim Carnival is on Sunday, March 8. Watch this space next week for more details!