Happy Tu B’Shevat to our Jewish friends, friends who believe in the Jewish son of god (Jesus) or any religion!

Luckily my good friend Steph enlightened me: Tu B’Shevat is the New Year for Trees to the Jewish faith, or the cut-off date to calculate the tree’s bday.  This prevents one from eating fruit from a tree younger than 3 (or cradle-robbing trees!)

To celebrate, customs are to eat a new fruit on this day, or a food from the Seven Species (shivat haminim) which are wheat, barley, grapes (vines), figs, pomegranates, olives and dates.  Or you could plant a tree.

The holiday this year began during sunset last night – nightfall Feb 8, 2012… I suggest everyone either eats some fruits or plants a tree to help out the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Plant One Million campaign.  Personally, I’m going to celebrate by eating a Mango (tree fruit) with a side of Greek Salad (olives) and sing Happy Birthday to my baby bonsai tree.  (Isn’t he cute?)

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Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake. View all posts by Julie Hancher