It’s a New Year’s Celebration – Part Two

Jewish “Arbor Day” Celebration Features Dancers, Singers, Crafts, Storytelling, Dinner

LISLE, IL (January 3, 2008) – Get ready for more New Year’s celebration. But this time around, instead of streamers, confetti, and champagne corks popping, there’ll be beautiful Israeli folk dancers, a Yiddish song group, traditional Jewish foods, and more.

Visitors will celebrate “Tu B’Shvat,” the Jewish New Year for Trees, at The Morton Arboretum on January 20, from 1 – 5 p.m. Some call this day the Jewish Arbor Day.

“Down through the years, many cultures have recognized that trees are tremendously important to our very existence, and held celebrations incorporating the wonderful gifts that trees give us. We invite visitors of all cultures to join in the Tu B’Shvat festivities to have fun, perhaps learn a bit about trees, and enjoy the day,” says Diana Fischer-Woods, Arboretum Special Events Coordinator.

In flowing movements, the Israeli folk dancing group Shalechet Aviv will perform from 3 – 3:30 p.m., with several changes of lovely costumes that reflect various dance styles.  

“We will present the modern style along with more traditional dances,” says Phil Moss, the group’s business manager, who explains that he’s a longtime leader of Israeli folk dances in the Chicago area.

Afterward, group members will invite visitors to come forward and learn some of the dances.

The festivities get underway with tree-related crafts, such as papermaking, from 1–5 p.m. The group, Treewhispers, shows how easily one can recycle used paper into pulp, and ultimately, into paper once again. Visitors will create large circles of paper, and are invited to make colorful tree drawings, or write a story of a tree that was particularly significant in their lives.  

Puppeteer Marilyn Price shares Jewish fables that focus on trees using puppets that she makes herself from recycled goods. Price demonstrates how easily they can make puppets. Her storytelling runs from 1:30 – 2:15.

In Israel, almonds play an important role in the Tu B'Shvat celebration.  Learn how our native nut trees play an important role in our area and how we can celebrate them in a tram ride and walking tour of the Arboretum Walnut Family Collection. Cost is $3 per person, ages 3 and up, for the tours at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m.

Later on, the Mameloshn Yiddish Song Group performs from 4 – 4:45 p.m.

At 6 p.m., cocktails (cash bar) and appetizers are served, followed by a 6:30 dinner that begins with a Seder, and a buffet featuring braised leg of lamb; Mediterranean roasted chicken; barley risotto; grilled vegetables; and rice with dried fruits, nuts and fresh herbs, seasoned with saffron. Reservations are required for dinner, by calling 630-725-2066 or visiting www.mortonarb.org. Tickets are $47 for adults and $24 for children ages 3-12 ($40 and $18 for Arboretum members).

The Morton Arboretum is an internationally recognized 1,700-acre outdoor museum with collections of 4,057 kinds of trees, shrubs, and other plants from around the world. The Arboretum's beautiful natural landscapes, gardens, research and education programs, and year-round family activities support its mission – the planting and conservation of trees and other plants for a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world. Conveniently located at I-88 and Rte. 53 in Lisle, Illinois, the Arboretum is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central Time or sunset, whichever is earlier. The Children's Garden is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., March through October, and 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., November through February. Visit www.mortonarb.org or call 630-968-0074 to learn more.

Media Contact:    Gina Tedesco, 630-725-2103, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it