This text brings up themes around climate change, planting, and what might last from generation to generation, and is key for understanding the themes of Tu B’Shvat (the new year for the trees).
We will learn this text to inspire us to make our own plant potters to keep and to give away to those in need. In keeping with the theme of Tikkun Olam, we will be upcycling old household objects (bottles or tins), and then planting seeds in them, exploring themes of renewal and heralding in the arrival of spring.
What to expect: Text study, plant pot prepping from found materials, and then plant pot decorating. We will finish the workshop by doing our own planting of seeds into these pots!
In line with our theme of Tikkun Olam, we will create two plant pots each - one to keep and one to donate to the JW3 Foodbank. We will use the latter to grow herbs and other ingredients which our Foodbank volunteers can cook with to prepare hot meals for Foodbank service users.
Please bring a tin can of any size with the label removed. To remove the label, soak the tin can in water and it should easily come off. We will provide all the painting supplies.
About the Young JW3 Artist Beit Midrash
The Artist Beit Midrash (house of study) is a chance to learn Jewish text connected to upcoming festivals and use this learning as a jumping off point to make new artwork. Whether it’s your first time or hundredth time getting creative or diving into Jewish learning, these sessions are right for you! Text will be provided in the original language and in translation, and art projects won't require advanced skills. Sessions will incorporate JW3’s theme for the year of Tikkun Olam, repairing the world, bringing in elements of social justice and social action. The sessions will help us prepare for Tu B’Shvat, Purim, and Pesach. Each session’s themes and making will build on each other, so you are encouraged to attend all three sessions to be a part of our Beit Midrash community. However, if you can only attend one, they will also function as stand-alone sessions. Dinner and dessert, with time to get to know other participants, will be included in each session.
About Yael
Yael Roberts is a Jewish educator, artist, and community builder. She is a PhD student in Creative and Critical Practice at Sussex University, where she has received the Morris & Bessie Emanuel Scholarship in Modern Jewish History and Culture. Her research explores the 19th century Hasidic homilies of Izbica/Radzyn. Outside of her studies, she is a visiting service leader and educator at Exeter Synagogue, and an educator for the Jewish Learning Collaborative. Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, she has lived in the UK for over a decade. She has taught across the UK at Limmud and Azara Yeshiva, and has worked at Alyth Synagogue, Westminster Synagogue, and Reform Judaism.
