More than 25 communities celebrate Tu Bishvat at cross-communal eco-seder

More than 25 Jewish communities, from across the religious spectrum, held an EcoJudaism seder to celebrate Tu Bishvat.

The charity is the UK Jewish community’s response to the climate crisis and the concept of a Tu Bishvat seder originates from 16th and 17th century Jewish kabbalists.

Each of the communities taking part were provided with a resource pack including a denominationally-specific seder guide, set of discussion questions, details on trees and tree planting from conservation project JTree and a £15 Sainsbury’s voucher for fruit. JTree also planted a tree in honour of every community participating.

After the seder, communities then joined an interactive cross-communal zoom event including a conversation between Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg (Masorti Judaism) and Guardian columnist and environmentalist George Monbiot. The session was led by Rabbi Wittenberg with his fellow EcoJudaism Trustees Rabbi Mark Goldsmith (Movement for Reform Judaism) and Rabbi Jeff Berger (S&P Sephardi Community).

George Monbiot praised the Jewish community for its work on the environment. He said: “Religious communities can be a big part of the change that we need to see. Because you are already working as a community, that gives you a powerful head start.

“There is an extraordinary power in people coming together. We now know roughly where those tipping points are, it’s around 25%. If you have 25% of people committed to a new idea it’s very difficult to stop that new idea from happening.”

EcoJudaism became a registered charity in December and is currently seeking funding. Incorporating the EcoSynagogue project, an official launch event is being planned for the summer.