In Israel, More than Just Familiar Themes for ?New Year of the Trees?

Today is the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat, a historically minor Jewish holiday that has gained momentum and become an important day in Israeli history. While we all know that Rosh Hashana is the official new year for the Jewish calendar, today?s holiday of ?Tu Bishvat? is celebrated as the ?New Year of the Trees.? A symbolic day of revival and rejuvenation, it is often chosen as the inauguration date for Israel?s major institutions. For example, Israel?s parliament, the Knesset, celebrates its birthday on Tu Bishvat. The cornerstone-laying of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem took place on Tu Bishvat in 1918, and the Technion in Haifa, which was recently announced to be partnering with Cornell to build New York City?s new high tech campus, was inaugurated on Tu Bishvat in 1925.

In a sense, the entire State of Israel, founded in 1948, embodies the spirit of Tu Bishvat. The sprawling forests in Israel are largely the result of afforestation efforts by organizations like the Jewish National Fund, which, thanks to planting over 240 million new trees, made Israel one of the only country in the world who entered the 21st century with a net increase in trees over the last century. While everyone knows the history of Jerusalem and its amazing history, perhaps it is Israel?s second largest city, Tel Aviv, that tells the story of ?new Israel.?

Tel Aviv, famous today for its party scene and restaurants all situated next to gorgeous Mediterranean beaches, would have been unrecognizable a century ago. In the early 20th century, the area which is now Tel Aviv was nothing put sand dunes as far as the eye could see. When the population began to boom in the 1920s, Tel Aviv?s city council began to think about planning the new city to be able to expand by Patrick Geddes, a Scottish botanist. Today, Tel Aviv?s green imprint is evidenced every time you walk down its most famous streets, like Rothschild Boulevard, which features a ?green belt.? This Saturday, February 10th, there will even be a special English-language tour of Tel Aviv?s ?green? avenues.

Of course, like any good holiday, there needs to be delicious food! Think of it as a passover Seder, substituting matzoh and brisket with Israeli fruit and nuts. Check out this recipe below for an almond and orange braid (makes about 2 7? braids), courtesy of Haaretz.

Ingredients:

1/2 lb finely almond flour, or finely ground almonds

4 1/2 oz. granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds (optional)

1 egg

2 egg yolks

4 tablespoons chopped candied orange peel (or grated zest of one orange)

2 sheets of puff pastry, 1.1 lb., thawed in the fridge over night.

1 tablespoon coarse sugar

Directions:

1. Put the almond flour, granulated sugar, fennel seeds, egg and one of the yolks in the food processor and run until it forms a dough.

2. Transfer into a bowl and knead the orange peel in.

3. Turn the oven to 375 degrees. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper.

4. Spoon the almond filling lengthwise down the center of the pastry. Cut slits 1 inch apart from the 2 sides of the pastry rectangle to within 1/2 inch of the almond filling. Starting at one end, fold the pastry strips over the almond mixture, alternating sides, to cover the almond filling.

5. Mix the second egg yolk with a tablespoon of water. Brush the pastry with the egg yolk mixture. Sprinkle with the coarse sugar. Place the pastry onto the baking sheet.

6. Bake for 25 to 30 minute, until the braid is puffed and the top is golden. Serve warm with ice cream on the side.

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