Tu B'Shevat (Arbor Day) in Canada
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 countries such as Canada.

What Do People Do?
Many Jewish communities in Canada observe Tu B’Shevat by eating fruit on this day. The Torah praises seven “fruits”, in particular grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates. Many Jewish people also try to eat a new fruit, which can be any seasonal fruit. Some Jewish communities plant trees on Tu B’Shevat. Some people organize ecological activities and educational events, which provides a chance to express their dedication to protect the Earth.
Public Life
Tu B’Shevat is not a public holiday in Canada. However, some Jewish organizations may be closed or 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
Read more about Tu B'Shevat (Arbor Day).Tu B'Shevat (Arbor Day) Observances
Note: Jewish holidays begin at sundown the day before the date specified for the holiday.Weekday | Date | Year | Name | Holiday Type | Where It is Observed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sat | Jan 30 | 2010 | Tu B'Shevat (Arbor Day) | Jewish holiday | |
Thu | Jan 20 | 2011 | Tu B'Shevat (Arbor Day) | Jewish holiday | |
Wed | Feb 8 | 2012 | Tu B'Shevat (Arbor Day) | Jewish holiday | |
Sat | Jan 26 | 2013 | Tu B'Shevat (Arbor Day) | Jewish holiday | |
Thu | Jan 16 | 2014 | Tu B'Shevat (Arbor Day) | Jewish holiday | |
Wed | Feb 4 | 2015 | Tu B'Shevat (Arbor Day) | Jewish holiday | |
Mon | Jan 25 | 2016 | Tu B'Shevat (Arbor Day) | Jewish holiday | |
Sat | Feb 11 | 2017 | Tu B'Shevat (Arbor Day) | Jewish holiday | |
Wed | Jan 31 | 2018 | Tu B'Shevat (Arbor Day) | Jewish holiday | |
Mon | Jan 21 | 2019 | Tu B'Shevat (Arbor Day) | Jewish holiday | |
Mon | Feb 10 | 2020 | Tu B'Shevat (Arbor Day) | Jewish holiday |
Quick Facts
Tu B’Shevat is known as the “New Year for Trees”, is a Jewish festival that marks the start of a new cycle for the tithe on fruit trees.Tu B'Shevat (Arbor Day) 2018
Wednesday, January 31, 2018Tu B'Shevat (Arbor Day) 2019
Monday, January 21, 2019Name in other languages
Name | Language |
---|---|
Tu B'Shevat (Arbor Day) | English |
Tou Bichvat | French |
Tu biSchevat (Neujahrsfest der Bäume) | German |
Other holidays in January 2018 in Canada
- New Year's Day – Monday, January 1, 2018
- Day After New Year’s Day – Tuesday, January 2, 2018
- Epiphany – Saturday, January 6, 2018
- Orthodox Christmas Day – Sunday, January 7, 2018
- Orthodox New Year – Sunday, January 14, 2018
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