Tu B'Shevat (Arbor Day) in Australia

Tu B’Shevat (Tu Bishvat) is the 15th day of the Jewish months of Shevat. This festival is also known as the “New Year for Trees” and is observed in Jewish communities in Australia.

Is Tu B'Shevat (Arbor Day) a Public Holiday?

Although Tu B'Shevat (Arbor Day) is not a public holiday, businesses and schools may be closed because it falls on the same date as Royal Hobart Regatta in 2020, which is a public holiday in Tasmania.

What Do People Do?

Tu B’Shevat, which is the start of a “New Year for Trees” in the Jewish calendar, marks a time for many Jewish people in Australia to engage in activities such as eating fruit or planting trees. The Torah praises seven “fruits”, in particular grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates. Many Jewish people eat a new fruit, which can be any seasonal fruit. It is also customary for blessings to be recited as part of this ritual.

Many Jewish synagogues or organizations post reminders about Tu B’Shevat on their websites or newsletters weeks or months ahead of time. Other activities may include meetings that involve discussions or talks about the meaning of Tu B’Shevat.

Public Life

Tu B’Shevat is not a public holiday in Australia. However, some Jewish organizations may offer a limited service to allow for festivities to occur on this day.

Background

Tu B’Shevat is first referred to in the late Second Temple period (515 BCE to 20 CE) when it was the cut-off date for levying the tithe on the produce of fruit trees. When Jewish colonists returned to Palestine during the 1930s, they reclaimed the barren land by planting trees where they could. It became customary to plant a tree for every newborn child – a cedar for a boy and a cypress or pine for a girl.

About Tu B'Shevat (Arbor Day) in other countries

Note: Jewish holidays begin at sundown the day before the date specified for the holiday.

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