JEWISH HOLIDAY BEARS FRUIT IN FAITH.

Byline: Holly Andres Daily News Staff Writer

San Fernando Valley Jews will celebrate the promise of a new season of renewal Wednesday with the New Year of Trees.

Tu B'Shevat, meaning the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat, is also known as the Jewish Arbor Day.

The observance has its roots in ancient times in Israel as the day of the yearly end to tithing or taxation of trees.

Since the founding of the state of Israel in 1948, American Jews made it a tradition to donate money for the reforestation of Israel through a program run by the Jewish National Fund. Hebrew schoolchildren were encouraged to plant trees in their community.

Recently, Tu B'Shevat could be considered a work-in-progress holiday as far as ritual is concerned. Other than the planting of trees, there are no specific or set traditions for celebrating the holiday in the home or in a temple.

Rabbi E. Robert Kraus of Temple Beth Torah of Granada Hills says the day gives Jews an opportunity for creativity, experimentation and informality in constructing a meaningful observance of this wintertime holiday.

``The message of Tu B'Shevat is the beauty and sanctity of God's created world,'' said Kraus, a rabbi since 1969. ``Our responsibility is to not only preserve God's created world but to embrace it in any way that we can.''

One of the contemporary ways to commemorate the holiday is with a dessert Seder, similar in structure to the Passover Seder. Four cups of wine or grape juice and plates of fruit are used.

The symbolism of the fruits and drink emphasizes the ecological relationship between the natural world and people.

``Jewish mystics in the Middle Ages contemplated the wonder of fruits, nuts and trees. That's what mystics do,'' Kraus said with a laugh. ``They wondered what people could learn from these things of God's creation. The content of Temple Beth Torah's Seder is to point out the mystical symbolism of the various fruits and nuts and as well as explaining their place in the four seasons.''

The hourlong Seder, which is open to the community, consists of eating three categories of fruits. Individual plates, set before each participant, contain fruits with a peel or shell that cannot be eaten, like pistachios, bananas, oranges or pineapple.

The second category includes fruits with pits, such as dates, apricots or cherries.

Strawberries, grapes and raisins are in the third category, fruits which can be consumed in their entirety.

Another symbolic tradition at the Seder is the four-part mixing of red grape juice into white juice, which symbolizes the four seasons.

``The Seder is very nice, particularly for the whole family,'' said temple member Arlene Stein. ``In the past, the rabbi has invited the kids attending to come up and read from some of the passages. We've always had fun participating.

Cantor Sharone Rosen is planning congregational singing, which will include a rendition of ``Turn, Turn, Turn,'' made popular by the rock group The Byrds in the '60s. Some of the lyrics, addressing life or seasonal changes, are found in Ecclesiastes.

``Most of the adults know the song, and the children enjoy singing it. It fits in nicely with our celebration,'' Rosen said.

While tree planting is traditional, Kraus said that Jews have always considered planting a tree in any season as a mitzvah, a commandment.

Shirley Berg, a member for more than 40 years at the almost 50-year-old temple, said the celebration is meaningful to everyone.

``It makes you appreciate how important trees and nature are in our lives. We have the opportunity to come together to acknowledge and thank God for these beautiful parts of nature that we enjoy. Tu B'Shevat also cheers us up from the winter blues and makes us look forward to spring,'' Berg said.

``My hope is that the adults and children at our Seder will go away thinking about the everyday, simple things in their life, like the fruits and nuts on the Seder plate, and be more aware of God's unique creations in their daily routine,'' Kraus said.

To have a tree planted in Israel in honor of, or in memory, of someone, at $10 per tree, contact the Jewish National Fund, 6310 San Vicente Blvd., Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90048, or call [phone].

The Tu B'Shevat Seder is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. Feb. 11 at Temple Beth Torah, 16651 Rinaldi St., Granada Hills.

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PHOTO Rabbi E. Robert Kraus, left, and Cantor Sharone Rosen talk to kids.

Terri Thuente/Daily News