In observance of Tu BiShvat, the Jewish New Year for Trees which will be marked on Monday, February 10, Jewish National Fund-USA (JNF-USA) is increasing awareness about the holiday, while highlighting its afforestation efforts in Israel. JNF-USA has created a #TreesAreTrending social media campaign, in addition to running a and educating thousands of students and teachers about Tu BiShvat – the original ‘Earth Day.’
JNF-USA supporters are being encouraged to participate in the organization’s inaugural Yoga Tree Pose Challenge. As part of the challenge, participants will be asked to take a picture of themselves holding the ‘Tree Pose’ yoga position and posting it on Instagram or Facebook with the hashtags #TreesAreTrending and #PoweredByJNF.
JNF-USA is also running a Catch the Tu BiShvat Spirit . Purchasers of trees between January 31 and February 10 will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win two round trip tickets to Israel.
JNF-USA’s Israel Advocacy and Education Department will celebrate Tu BiShvat through various activities and fundraising efforts across JNF-USA’s Israel Continuum. Schools that plant 100 trees or more ($1,800+) will receive special recognition at American Independence Park in Jerusalem. Schools will also earn prizes based on the volume of trees sold. JNF-USA’s education department is also running a contest where students can win prizes based on individual tree sales.
On college campuses, 25 JNF-USA Campus Fellows will be hosting Tu BiShvat events and have partnered with Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi) on a program called ‘Tu BishBox.’ As part of the program, JNF-USA sent Tu BiShvat-themed boxes to more than 150 AEPi chapters across the country with materials to encourage local chapters to reduce their environmental footprint.