Today, February 8, marks the annual Jewish celebration of Tu Bishvat, the traditional festival of trees. The original date is mentioned in the Mishnah, but over the years the holiday evolved and took on many new meanings, from eating dried fruit to planting trees.
IDF officers plant trees with children in celebration of Tu Bishvat
The IDF celebrated Tu Bishvat all around the country. Yesterday, the officers from the 300th Brigade, tasked with guarding Israel’s northwest border, arrived at the Israeli town of Shomera to share the holiday spirit with local children. The brigade’s commander, Col. Raffi Milo, said:
“Guarding the northern communities of Israel is a top priority for us, and we all believe that once you actually get to know the people you are protecting, you fully understand the magnitude and importance of the mission you face.”
Soldiers from the Givati Brigade arrived at Ashkelon, and celebrated the holiday by planting trees and crafting objects from recycled materials with the local children.
IDF soldiers plant trees with children in celebration of Tu Bishvat
Today, GOC Southern Command, Maj. Gen. Tal Russo, and Head of the Youth and Education Corps, Brig. Gen. Eli Shermeister, arrived at the Black Arrow monument, and planted trees at the site alongside families of the bereaved and soldiers from the Paratroopers Brigade.
Maj. Gen. Tal Russo plants a tree in the Black Arrow Monument
For more pictures of IDF soldiers planting trees on Tu Bishvat, see our Flickr gallery.
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