Celebrating Trees, Art, and Tu Bishvat

"Do Not Destroy: Trees, Art, and Jewish Thought" logoAs the sun sank down below the horizon last night, Tu Bishvat, sometimes referred to as Tu B’Shevat or the Jewish “New Year for Trees”, began. Originally used to calculate the age of fruit trees, recently the Jewish holiday has come to be less pragmatic and more celebratory. In recent years, it’s been touted as the “Jewish Arbor Day.”

“Tu Bishvat is a good reminder of our connection to the Earth,” says David Krantz, president and chairman of the Green Zionist Alliance, a Jewish environmental group. “We have a symbiotic relationship with trees, but we tend to forget that. Humans and trees are dependent on each other. When we harm trees, we harm ourselves.”

In that spirit, many see Tu Bishvat as the perfect day to plant a new tree or care for an existing tree. This year, a new exhibit at the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco has been inspired by Tu Bishvat.

Do Not Destroy: Trees, Art, and Jewish Thought, on view at the Contemporary Jewish Museum February 16 through May 28, 2012, is a provocative and thoughtful two-part exhibition that explores the subject of the tree in both contemporary art and offers fresh perspectives on our connection to the natural world.

A Special Offer

The CJM is pleased to extend California ReLeaf members a two-for-one Museum admission offer to Do Not Destroy February 16 through May 28, 2012. When you purchase one Museum admission at full price, you receive a second for free. Ticket prices are: $12.00 for adults, $10.00 for students and senior citizens with a valid ID, and $5 on Thursdays after 5 PM. Mention “California ReLeaf Offer” when purchasing your Museum admission in the CJM’s Grand Lobby.

The Museum is located at 736 Mission Street (between 3rd & 4th streets), in San Francisco, and is open daily (except Wednesday) 11 AM–5 PM; Thursday, 1–8 PM. For general information, visit www.thecjm.org.