Tu B’Shevat is a Jewish holiday that marks the beginning of the “New Year for Trees.” During this season, the earliest-blooming trees in Israel emerge from their winter dormancy and begin a new fruit-bearing cycle. Tu B’Shevat is traditionally celebrated by eating fruit, particularly, those praised in the Torah such as grapes, figs, pomegranates,
olives and dates. Today, the holiday is also observed by planting trees to raise ecological awareness.