 to as Etz Chaim—the Tree of Life. This month, we will celebrate the holiday of Tu Bishvat when trees play a starring role in our celebration. We can observe this holiday in a variety of ways, each of which center on trees, nature and the environment. This is our chance to be green and increase our devotion to being responsible caretakers of the earth.
The holiday of Tu Bishvat is celebrated on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat. It is called Tu Bishvat simply because the Hebrew letters Tet and Vav, which spell the word Tu, add up to the number 15. Each letter in the Hebrew alphabet has a corresponding numerical value. Basically the holiday is named for the date it falls on. On Tu Bishvat, we celebrate the New Year for trees. In fact, another name for the holiday is Rosh Hashanah L’Ilanot: the New Year for Trees. In the midst of our North American winter, we are reminded that in the Land of Israel it is the beginning of spring. The first tree to blossom in Israel is the almond tree, signifying the start of the new agricultural year. What a special thing that we are able to mark another new year, a year for trees, as a cause for joyous celebration. Tradition tells us that just as the fate of human beings is decided on Rosh Hashanah, the fate of the trees is decided on Rosh HaShanah L’Ilanot.
Over time, Tu Bishvat has become a holiday to commemorate our connection to the land of Israel. This could be a good time for interfaith couples to discuss what that means to you, and why you do or do not feel this connection. Many celebrate by having a seder for Tu Bishvat and eat foods that are indigenous to the land of Israel, such as dates, figs and almonds. Similar to a Passover seder, four glasses of wine are consumed, representing the four seasons.
Traditionally, children plant saplings and donate money to the Jewish National Fund, the agency responsible for planting trees in Israel. This is still a popular way to celebrate, but new themes have emerged as our environmental awareness as a society has increased. The ethical Jewish value of caring for the earth has become integrated with the universal value of what it means to do this. Whether you grew up in a Jewish home or not, couples and families can easily engage in this universal value together.
In the first book in the Torah, the Book of Genesis, we read that God brought Adam into the Garden of Eden to cultivate and guard the land. These verses suggest that our role is to be responsible guardians over the land. Later on in the Book of Deuteronomy, there is a verse that reads, “When in a war against a city, and the fighting goes on for a long time before capturing it, you must not destroy the trees…you may eat of them, but you must not cut them down.” (Deut. 20:19) This quote, “you must not destroy” or Bal Tashchit in Hebrew, has become the source for all things environmental and has grown into a major theme for the holiday of Tu Bishvat.
One of the many beautiful things about Judaism is that over time, various interpretations get woven into a larger tapestry of meaning, and allows for many levels of observance of a holiday, all of which add to this rich tapestry. Tu Bishvat, a holiday that has really no requirements for observance has evolved into a wonderful celebration that includes experiencing the fruits of the land of Israel, exercises in how we can become better guardians of our earth and prime opportunities to increase our environmental consciousness. Each Tu Bishvat, we are afforded the opportunity to deepen our commitment to what it means to take care of the earth.
Let’s use this holiday as an opportunity to play our part in fulfilling the mitzvah of Bal Tashchit and keep taking steps in preserving our earth and conserving our resources.Originally from Ghana, Emmanuel travelled to Murdoch on an Australia Award Scholarship to fulfil a lifelong dream of improving blood services back home.
Emmanuel made the near 13,000km life-changing journey from Ghana to Perth after being awarded an Australia Award Africa Scholarship.
A prestigious international scholarship, Australia Awards offers the next generation of global leaders from more than 50 developing countries an opportunity to undertake study, research and professional development in Australia.
"Murdoch was the only university in Australia which was offering my aspirations and interests in one course - the Master of Health Administration, Policy and Leadership. The leadership aspect attracted me because I want to be a global citizen leading change."
The only course of its kind in Australia, Murdoch's Master of Health Administration, Policy and Leadership is designed to help students like Emmanuel become a fully informed and competent health industry leader.
Prior to studying at Murdoch, Emmanuel worked in the National Blood Service of Ghana as a Senior Research, Planning and Data Officer and has participated and spoken at international blood transfusion congresses in Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Denmark, Canada and the United Kingdom.
Emmanuel enrolled at Murdoch University to fulfil his passion for promoting and improving blood services in Ghana and the wider African community.
"I want to make an impact in health service delivery in Ghana and across Africa. I want to gain the necessary leadership skills needed to transform the health industry, improve the health of humanity and provide universal health coverage for all, especially marginalised populations."
By choosing to study a Master of Health Administration, Policy and Leadership, Emmanuel has the ability to specialise in the areas of health administration and leadership, evaluation and policy, or health informatics and analytics.
"My degree is already preparing and shaping me to think about health on a global level while challenging me to harness my inner potential. I'm confident that I'll be able to cause change in any setting I find myself in using evidence-based principles and concepts."
Murdoch's emphasis on alternative teaching methods like the Work Integrated Learning program, gives students the opportunity to intern with government agencies (e.g. WA Health), not-for-profit organisations (Red Cross and Ngala) and small to medium enterprises.
"What I like most about studying in Murdoch is the teaching methods and supportive environment aimed at making students excel in their endeavours. The environment allows you to think freely and differently without limiting your potentials."
This free-thinking ethos extends out of the classroom, creating a campus where students can be themselves and excel in their studies.
"Murdoch has a warm and welcoming ambiance that makes you feel comfortable to be yourself. The supportive culture at Murdoch gives me the peace of mind to concentrate on my studies without worrying about failure because I have the conviction that all faculty and facilities are there to support me to be successful."
Emmanuel has also easily fit into the wider multicultural Perth landscape, which is ranked in the top 30 in the world for best student mix (QS, Best Student Cities 2019).
"Perth is a liveable city that embraces all persons with different cultural backgrounds. The city is affordable for students to live, study and work and has a fantastic balance between modern development (sophisticated buildings and skyscrapers) and nature (greenery, clean air, birds and water bodies).
"It suits the lifestyles of people who enjoy the quiet life as well as those who like the hyper life."
When looking towards the future, Emmanuel aims to use the knowledge and skills gained through his studies to contribute to producing better health outcomes, especially for marginalised populations, women and children.
"Murdoch is helping to understand and shape my dream beyond what I had planned to do in future. Murdoch is preparing me to be successful in the career path I have chosen by empowering me with the essential skills and knowledge that I need to think freely, differently and positively.
Learn more about Murdoch's Master of Health Administration, Policy and Leadership, the only course of its kind in Australia.An explosion of prismatic sparkle against a wash of color... Miniscule bits of sophisticated glitter give you sexy, twinkling lids. No fallout, no teen glitter.
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