The Jewish Club and the Gardening Club came together in the garden to celebrate the Jewish Holiday of Tu B’Shevat on Tuesday, February 10.
Members of both clubs walked down to the garden with Gardening Club Faculty Advisor and Science teacher Geoff Robertson, to celebrate the holiday.
Jewish Club Faculty Advisor and math teacher Mayan Benami spoke about the meaning of the holiday of Tu B’Shevat in greater detail.
“Tu B’Shevat, the name is actually the date,” Benami said.“The holiday is celebrated on the 15th day in the month of Shevat. It’s a day for planting trees. It is a day of celebration for our trees and our plants. It’s also a natural time for trees to be planted and succeed throughout the spring. It’s the first hint of spring in the Jewish calendar.”
In the garden, 15 students from the two clubs used shovels to treat the soil and picked weeds so that the plants growing in the garden can succeed through this spring season. Students also planted a new crop, Swiss chard, and were allowed to take home packets of seeds as souvenirs. In the picture, gardening club member Joseph Holly ’29, holds his parsnip plant next to other Jewish club members.
Robertson has been dedicated to keeping this garden space maintained.
“I want to get kids outdoors, and more engaged with nature, and more engaged with the topics we usually don’t get to discuss in Biology class.” Robertson said. “The more plants we have around us, the happier people are in general. The cleaner the air, the more lively people’s lives are.”
Sidney Kohls, a Jewish club faculty advisor and English teacher, explained the significance of the collaboration of the two clubs, and the idea of connecting the Jewish holidays to our community members throughout this school.
“It’s a way to extend community, share education, and it’s a great way to share our interests and our culture.” Kohls said.
Jewish club leader Ryan Auerbach ’29 also weighed in on this topic. “[Collaborating] allows people who aren’t Jewish to learn more about us, to understand the holidays that we celebrate. We all are the same. We are always open to celebrate together and with others.” Auerbach said.
Jewish club members found a new interest in gardening while the gardening club members learned more about a holiday that members of the Jewish club celebrate. It is the reason why clubs collaborate: to learn more about each other, and have fun along the way.
