'BIRTHDAY OF TREES' CONGREGATION PREPARES TO CELEBRATE JEWISH ARBOR DAY.

Byline: Holly Andres Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - Munching on the bounty of trees - fruits and nuts - the congregation of Temple Beth Ami will hold a Tu B'Shvat Seder today to celebrate Jewish Arbor Day.

The holiday, also known as the New Year for Trees, began at sundown Friday and will end at sundown today. The name of the holiday, Hebrew for ``15th of Shvat,'' refers to the date on which it occurs on the Jewish calendar.

In ancient times, Tu B'Shvat was the annual date to calculate the age of trees for taxation purposes in Israel. Now, it is celebrated as a day to celebrate nature.

``Tu B'Shvat is the birthday of trees. We plant trees at our homes or contribute money to plant trees in Israel,'' said Rosemary Watson, vice president of religious and ritual for the Santa Clarita temple. ``It's a time to remember the gifts of the earth. I look forward to it in winter because it looks ahead to spring.''

Holding a Tu B'Shvat Seder at temple or at home has been revived in recent years from a tradition started by Jewish mystics in the Middle Ages who wanted to add a spiritual aspect to the day. The Seder is modeled after the Passover Seder, during which certain foods are eaten to symbolize the story of the holiday.

A Tu B'Shvat Seder uses fruits, nuts and the mixing of white and red wine, or grape juice, to symbolize the seasons of the year, the ecological relationship between nature and people and the wonder and beauty of the natural world that God created and the Jewish connection to Israel.

The New Year for Trees comes at a time when the fate of a 400-year-old oak tree in suburban Stevenson Ranch, dubbed Old Glory, is a concern for many members of Temple Beth Ami, Watson said.

``The tree has become symbolic of the need to protect the environment and the issue of rampant growth. I think many people in this congregation have identified with the tree. I think they've felt like they're about to be uprooted,'' said Rabbi Mark Blazer of Temple Beth Ami.

While Blazer said he's not optimistic that Old Glory will survive the proposed replanting, he does believe that the debate over the tree has made people aware of ecological issues in urban landscapes.

``I think with Tu B'Shvat we get a chance to think about the natural world wherever we are. The natural world is just so amazing and breathtaking,'' Blazer said. ``You don't have to go to the Grand Canyon or somewhere like that. You can look in your own back yard to see some amazing things.''

Temple Beth Ami will hold a Tu B'Shvat Seder and Havdalah service at 5:30 p.m. today at a private residence in the Santa Clarita area. Bring a picnic dinner. Call the temple's office at [phone] for the address. For donations to plant trees in Israel, call the Jewish National Fund at [phone]. For donations or information on local tree planting, call Tree People at [phone].

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

Rabbi Mark Blazer of Temple Beth Ami will hold a Tu B'Shvat (New Year for Trees) Seder near Old Glory in Stevenson Ranch.

Joe Binoya/Staff Photographer