Thousands of Jewish community members of all ages took part yesterday in wide-ranging Tu Bishvat celebrations held throughout the entire Former Soviet Union. Marking the New Year for Trees, the events reflected the spirit of renewal and growth associated with the 15th of Shevat on the Jewish calendar. For FSU Jewry, Tu Bishvat carries special meaning, symbolizing Jewish continuity and a deep-rooted connection to Jewish identity and the Land of Israel.

Across the FSU, where Jewish life has experienced a remarkable revival since the fall of the Iron Curtain through the ongoing work of FJC’s representatives, communities marked Tu Bishvat with a rich variety of activities.

These included women’s club gatherings with creative cooking and fruit-arrangement master classes; special programs in FJC’s Or Avner network of Jewish schools and kindergartens; EnerJew and YAHAD events featuring games and themed productions; community lectures; learning and Chassidic gatherings accompanied by presentations and educational videos; art and creative expression workshops; social games and quizzes; musical concerts and special plays; and festive tastings of fresh and dried fruits, desserts, and special pastries.

Within FJC’s educational network, as well as informal frameworks such as JFuture and SmartJ, children participated in tailored educational programs – prepared by the Darkeinu Jewish curriculum – focused on the cultural and spiritual significance of Tu Bishvat. These activities strengthened the young participants’ connection to Jewish heritage while fostering a sense of pride and belonging.

EnerJew youth clubs organized dedicated Tu Bishvat programs for teenagers, while YAHAD for students and young Jewish professionals introduced a specially designed experiential board game and instructional video created for the holiday. The game will continue to be available throughout the year, extending the educational impact of Tu Bishvat beyond a single date.

Darkeinu also contributed special learning content for both children and adults, ensuring that Tu Bishvat was experienced not only as a festive occasion, but as a meaningful opportunity for connection and communal growth across Jewish communities throughout the FSU.