Page 39 - Jewish News_January-2021

COMMENTARY January 2021 39A

Tu B’Shevat –

The Human Tree

ings are being molded. This is why in- Honor someone
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vesting time and energy in children is y you cherish
the most noble and critical endeavor. A
PRESENT S
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JUSTre ere el From scratch on the trunk does not amount
JUST
to much; a defect in the roots can im-
the
pact the entire tree in dramatic ways.
EDUCATION Bimah The significance of childhood is often by making a donation
in their memory.
invisible like the roots of a tree, but
it is the foundation of everything that
comes later. Nurture those roots and
JUST REEL EDUCATION brings you film Rabbi Sholom Schmerling your tree will be beautiful.
As we graduate childhood and
documentaries and biographies of Jewish-themed Chabad of Venice & North Port become self-efficient humans, we
topics, paired with scholars and the director or “ he human being is a tree of are compared to the tall and projec-
tive trunk of the tree. At last, we have
the field,” we read in the To-
producer of the film. This program is a division Jewish calendar reserves one day each emerged to become independent and
Trah (Deut. 20:19). In fact, the
self-standing adults.
of the popular JUST REEL FILMS and is year, the “New Year for Trees” on the Then, as we grow older and be-
th
brought to you in partnership with 15 of Shevat (this year, January 28), come leaders in our communities, as
we marry, bear children and create
for us to contemplate our affinity with
Classrooms without Borders. the botanical universe. something larger than ourselves, we
Why is the human being compared,
begin to produce “fruit” that continue
in the biblical imagination, to a tree? to procreate and impact generations to
To see each month’s film offerings and register, visit A tree’s primary components are: come.
On a spiritual level, the roots rep-
JFEDSRQ.ORG/JustReel the roots, which anchor it to the ground resent faith, our source of nurture and
and supply it with water and other nu-
trients; the trunk, branches and leaves perseverance. The trunk is the visible
BR OUGHT T O Y OU B Y
that comprise its body; and the fruit, “body” of our spiritual lives – our in-
which is harvested and enjoyed by hu- tellectual, emotional and practical
mans or animals and also contains the achievements; our study of Torah, ob-
seeds through which the tree reproduc- servance of mitzvot and daily ethical
es itself. activities. Finally, the fruit represents Or visit jfedsrq.org/tribute
QUESTIONS? Contact Jeremy Lisitza at jlisitza@jfedsrq.org or 941.343.2113 This is why the Torah compares us our power of spiritual procreation – the Call Bonnie at
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH to trees, because a human being is also ability to influence others, to plant our 941.343.2115 to donate
comprised of three components: roots, seeds in their souls.
a body and fruit. This comparison Faith, just like roots, constitutes
holds true on three levels: psycholog- the foundation of life (without roots,
ically, chronologically and spiritually. a tree cannot survive). Our belief in
The roots of the tree, buried under- the essential spirituality and meaning
ground and mostly invisible, represent of life is the foundation of our entire
the subconscious layers of the human “tree.” From it stems the trunk of our
psyche, which are for the most part in- understanding, from which branch out
visible. Just like the roots of a tree, the our feelings, motivations and deeds.
composition, breadth and depth of the Yet the true extent of faith is concealed
from others and even from ourselves.
human subconscious are disguised and
leave a constitute the roots of all manifesta- the field.” We operate on three levels.
“The human being is a tree of
legacy uous manifestation of its roots – sym- There is who we are (the roots), who FIND THE LOCATIONS A PUBLICATION OF FREE UPDATED FREE VOLUME 2 | 2020-2021
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The body of the tree – the conspic-
VOLUME 2 | 2020-2021
we think we are (the trunk) and who
INSIDE
others think we are (the fruit). In a tree,
bolizes the conscious personality of the
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tegrate the components of our “tree,”
The fruit of the tree – harvested
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YOU’RE HELPING TO GROW JEWISH LIVES and consumed by others – represent the so that our roots, bodies and fruits be- A new edition of our wildly popular publication.
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around us. It embodies our ability to Opinions printed in The Jewish News
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community building, Israel advocacy, cultural On a chronological level, the roots The Jewish Federation of Sarasota- resident, visitor or newcomer needs to know:
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e n s u re t h a t w h a t y o u va l u e m os t i s s u s t a i ne d f o r Israel, Bahrain sign historic tourism MOU...continued from page 37A • Jewish Cultural Arts • Jewish Calendar
ensure that what you value most is sustained for
real opportunity to develop tourism be-
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f future generations. . Minister Farkash-Hacohen stated tween our two countries and beyond. • Jewish Food • History of Jews in Sarasota
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Please consider making a legacy gift in your and stated, “Governments sign treaties, of the world, and look forward to using
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signing a bilateral tourism MOU is so
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to The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee. . important. We are encouraging travel “No doubt Covid-19 put a lot of
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between our countries. We are encour- pressure on the hospitality and tourism To view SHALOMSRQ, go to
aging people to meet and interact with sector,” Al Zayani added. “It is our re-
To discuss creating your Jewish legacy, contact: each other. We are connecting two cul- sponsibility to make sure this sector is SHALOMSRQ.org
Ilene Fox tures. By doing so, we are encouraging back on its feet as soon as possible. I
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Al Zayani said, “You will find in to you and to all Israelis to come and Bonnie Souther at 941.371.4546 x.0 or bsouther@jfedsrq.org
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and a frank friend. We feel there is a