Galil Blog

Shalom, Galil Families and Friends!

As we move away from the subzero January temperatures and into February, I’m reminded of why this time of the year is one of my favorites (and no, it’s not just because my birthday on the Lunar calendar happens to align with Purim). The holiday I think of instead is Tu Bishvat. 

As a child, I always wondered why Tu Bishvat—the New Year of Trees—took place in late January or early February. Why celebrate the renewed cycle of plants in such a dark and dreary time? Wouldn’t it make more sense to celebrate in-line with the Spring Equinox, in late March?

From this, I learned the Jewish value of סַבְלָנוּת. Savlanut. Patience. 

To me, the beauty of Tu Bishvat is the celebration of what is yet to come. A reminder, during the coldest and darkest of times, that every year our planet has never failed to return to us our trees and flowers. Tu Bishvat serves as a reminder that despite the biting winds of January and February, we will be warm again. During these times, Tu Bishvat is a reminder for me to remain patient. Although Tu Bishvat falls in some of the hardest of times, it is a reminder that the very best of times are right around the corner.

I now try to reflect on Tu Bishvat’s lesson of patience more than ever—as Tu Bishvat is also a reminder that my birthday is still more than a month away. Sigh.

And as the seasons start shifting, I am also reminded of the fact that Camp Galil’s opening day is still 129 days away (and they aren’t counting down any faster. I checked). As much as I wish we could skip right to the start of Camp, I remember: savlanut. 

I wish everyone savlanut as they make it to the end of their week, and wish everyone a wonderful, restful weekend. 

Aleh v’Hagshem,

David HD – Rosh Galil 2026