Tu B’Shvat (Feb 2026)

Tonight we gather at an intersection in Jewish time. It is Tu B’Shvat, the New Year of the Trees—a day that invites us to notice growth that is slow, patient, and often hidden beneath the surface. Our Torah portion this week, Vayishlach, offers a parallel kind of growth: the inner transformation of Jacob as he prepares to meet his brother Esau after years of estrangement.

Jacob famously wrestles with an angel/man/brother all night; it is one of the most mysterious and powerful moments in Torah. He is alone, vulnerable, unsure of what the morning will bring. And yet, in that darkness, something essential takes root. He emerges limping, yes—but also renamed (Israel – one who struggles), renewed, and ready to face what he had long avoided. His transformation is not sudden; it is the result of years of struggle, reflection, and the courage to confront what he once ran from.

Tu B’Shvat teaches us something similar. Trees do not grow overnight. Their strength comes from deep roots, from seasons of dormancy, from resilience in wind and drought. What looks still on the surface is often full of quiet, necessary work.

As a board, we are the gardeners of this community. The decisions we make —about programs, budgets, relationships, and vision—are seeds. Some will blossom quickly. Others may take years to bear fruit. But all of them matter. Our task is to plant them with intention, to nurture with patience, and to trust that growth is happening even when we cannot yet see it.

May this Tu B’Shvat remind us that strong communities, like strong trees, are built through steady, thoughtful care. And may Vayishlach remind us that transformation—personal and communal—is always possible when we meet our challenges with courage and heart.

Kein yehi ratzon – Let is be so

Title Photo by Andrew Shelley on Unsplash