Make deep connections to the Jewish holiday of Tu B'Shevat (New Year of the Trees). This daylong celebration centers on agricultural and spiritual themes while reflecting on gratitude for the natural world. Enjoy music, food, conversation, guided walking tours, art making, and more.

Family Art Studio

• Spice Containers
  All Day
  Decorate and fill a container with spices and herbs sourced from local Shemesh Farms.

Haas Conference Center

• Tu B'Shevat Experience with FromSoil2Soul Creator Devorah Brous
  All Day
  Enjoy the bounty of locally-sourced and sustainably-harvested fruit, nuts, seeds, herbs, and juices as we explore the ancient Jewish wisdom of the “Four Worlds” in a beautiful family-friendly journey that involves observing and engaging our senses. Come celebrate stewardship on this communal holiday with samples for tasting and loads of fresh nature. A Tu B’Shevat experience unlike any you have ever experienced before!

  First World (Haas 171)

  The physical world is the one we can see with our eyes. It demands that our body be healthy, safe, and comfortable. This is the world of Assiya (Action). 

  -Make compost with Steven Wynbrandt.
  -View (and then taste!) the display "Hard on the Outside/Soft on the Inside," featuring all the first world fruits (banana, coconut, orange, pineapple). 
  -Visit the LA Department of Sanitation table, dedicated to the work they do to keep our cities clean.

  Second World (Haas 172)

  The next world is the world of emotions, a place to be in safe relationships, able to express your unique identity and be accepted. This is the world of Yetzirah (Emotion). 

  -Pickling in jars for people to take home. Facilitated by Mary MacVean, former Mind & Body editor at Los Angeles Times. 
  -View (and then taste!) the display "Hard on the Outside/Soft on the Inside," featuring stone fruits, olives peaches, avocado, dried fruits.

  Third World (Haas 173)

  The third world is intellectual, a place for our brain to be stimulated by inspirational ideas, and engaged with meaningful learning. This world is Briyah (Intellect). 

  -Creat and write poe-tree on community craft tables with seed paper. Facilitated by Shemesh Farms. 
  -View (and then taste!) the display "Neither Hard on Outside or Inside—Entirely Edible," featuring grapes, strawberries, and blueberries.

  Fourth World (Taper Courtyard)

  The fourth world is the world that culminates or activates when each of the other worlds are nourished. The fourth world is Atzilut (Spiritual). 

  -Take three different guided walks around the premises.
  -Make spice containers in the Family Art Studio with Shemesh Farms.
  -View a mystical (kabbalistic) display.

Hurd Gallery

• Ancient Wisdom for a Future Ecology: Trees, Time, and Technology Gallery Tour
  11:00–11:45 am
  Led by artists Tiffany Shlain and Ken Goldberg, this exhibition draws inspiration from the complex landscape of Los Angeles and the science of tree dating.

Magnin Auditorium

• A-Ha! Moments in Art and Science: A Panel Conversation
  12:00–1:00 pm
  How can a moment of insight change the framework of how we think about trees, nature, math, science, and humans? Join exhibition artist and engineer Ken Goldberg, exhibition artist Tiffany Shlain, and Dean of University of California, Berkeley's College of Data Science and Society, Professor Jennifer Chayes, for a conversation on the connection between big “A-ha” moments when nature gives insights to science and vice versa.
   
• Repair Through Intersectional Climate Activism
  2:00–3:00 pm
  Presented as part of the Getty-led initiative PST ART: Art & Science Collide and in conjunction with the related Skirball exhibition Ancient Wisdom for a Future Ecology: Trees, Time, and Technology, this conversation features young climate activists from across the country who are leading the movement for change. (Originally scheduled for January 19.)

Museum Terrace

• TreePeople—Dirt Doctor Workshop
  11:30 am–12:30 pm and 1:30–2:30 pm
  Help TreePeople’s Dirt Doctor heal our sick city soil through the magic of mulch medicine in this engaging, educational, and fun experience. During this interactive presentation guests will learn about the importance of healthy soil, hear a story about trash-reducing items in a special treasure chest, and plant an Italian Stone Pine seedling to take home and care for. 

Skirball Outdoor Grounds

• Arbor Tour of the Skirball Campus
  11:00–11:45 am
  Learn all about the incredible diversity of trees right here on the Skirball campus with Skirball SVP Operations (and nature lover), Ben Elisondo.
   
• But Those Trees! A Guided Mindfulness Walk for All Ages
  1:00–2:00 pm and 2:00–3:00 pm
  Join mindfulness mensch Mark Landsman for a guided discovery around the majestic natural environment that makes up Skirball’s pristine oasis.

Taper Courtyard

• Roots and Renewal
  3:15–4:00 pm
  End the day with concluding remarks by Skirball’s Rabbi in Residence, Beau Shapiro and FromSoil2Soul’s Devorah Brous to learn more about the lessons of Tu B’Shevat and how we can all continue to take care of our environment even in the aftermath of so much devastation.

Plus, enjoy music throughout the Tu B’Shevat Experience by Soma Raha and pull up to the roaming cart to make nendo dango (seed balls) with Skirball staff.

Tu B’Shevat, known as the New Year of the Trees, is a minor Jewish holiday when we celebrate nature waking up from its winter nap. Before it was considered a festival recognizing one of four “new years” throughout the Jewish calendar, Tu B’Shevat was used by ancient Jewish farmers as a marker for a tree’s birthday to know when fruit was ready to be eaten. Traditionally, as we renew our commitment to the planet, people eat fruits that grow in Israel, like figs, dates, pomegranates, olives, and grapes. Perhaps most importantly, Tu B’Shevat reminds us that we’re all rooted together, and just like trees, we grow stronger when we care for the earth—and each other.