In the ancient Jewish books by wise men is written, that " There are four New years: from the 1-st Nisan (March - April) are counted years of government of kings and holidays. 1 Elul (August - September) - New year for cut off dessiatina from cattle. 1 Tishrey (September - October) - New year for counting out of years, seventh years and anniversary years, for plantings and vegetables. 15 Shvat (January - February) - New year for trees ".

The holiday Tu-bi-Shvat symbolizes deep connection of the Jewish people with the country, Eretz-Israel. Essence of this holiday - is love to native land and connected with it commandments. Tu-bi-Shvat it is a holiday of country work, holiday of a nature, holiday expressing our love to trees.

The legend says that when the trees found out, that the Most High gave to the people a holiday of New Year, at them the feeling of envy appeared - you see in Torah (main book of all Jews) man is compared to a tree. And trees began to ask the Most High, that he and to them would establish holiday of New Year. The Most High asked trees, in what time they would like to celebrate the New Year. What the trees answered, that month Shvat is the most suitable, because all their life depends on water, and right this month there are most plentiful rains. The Most High agreed with them and arranged for them a holiday.

In Almaty Jewish Community Center "Rimon" New Year of trees celebrated in each club and in each program, as is spoken, and old and young. And the celebration last Friday began. That time on Shabbat (meeting of Saturday) Olesya Murenko, Jacob Lomega and Natalie Inshina told the Jewish youth and teenagers about this remarkable, kind holiday.

And in Sunday at the centre "Rimon" Tu-bi-Shvat met the smallest community members and Family club "Shalom".

For children a celebratory measure was prepared and conducted by the teacher of World Art Culture at author's school of Zhania Aubakirova, Anna Sailyants. The guys found out about one of major customs of a holiday - to eat fruits, for which is famous the country Israel. - Eat only seven kinds of fruits: wheat, barley, grapes, pomegranates, olives, dates and fig, - told to the guys Anna Sailyants, - But also it is accepted to eat those fruits, which remind to us about Eretz-Israel - almond, fruits of locust tree, apples and others.

And tradition to plant trees on a holiday Tu-bi-Shvat appeared absolutely recently, at the end of the last century, when first settlers began to arrive in Eretz-Israel. The country in that time was absolutely empty, and with the large difficulty could support the sons. The people drained bogs, planted eucalypts, the woods and laid on the water, arranged fields and fruit gardens. The Earth blossomed. Today in Tu-bi-Shvat many Israelis, in particular children, are sent on a bosom of a nature to strengthen the connection with native land, plant young trees, which after years will cover open spaces of the country by a rich green carpet.

Despite of that in Almaty the snow lays, and to plant trees community members had no opportunities, nevertheless this important custom they executed. Young plants and flowers were planted on flower pots and set up on window sills of the centre.

Also with observance of all rules and customs of holiday Tu-bi-Shvat the clients of Day Center (chief Natalie Kriventsova), employees of Hesed "Polina" and JCC "Rimon" met.

Anna Naumova