The Blogs: Tu B’Shvat, and the Rebirth of Hope

The Promise of Renewal

Tu B’Shvat, the Jewish New Year for the Trees, arrives at the lowest point of winter. The land looks barren, and the trees stand lifeless. Yet, the almond trees—the shkediot—begin to blossom.

It’s a breathtaking sight, especially after the late winter rains. It is a sign of renewal, a reminder that life pushes forward, even in the harshest conditions.

The lupine fields near my home will bloom in a few weeks, painting the hills with colour—a natural revival. But this year, it feels different. Maybe this is not just a time for nature’s rebirth but a time for rebuilding everything. Perhaps we need to replant, rethink, and restart.

After October 7th, after destruction and pain, perhaps the real question is:

What should we rebuild? And what should we leave behind?

Tu B’Shvat and the Unity of Holistic integrated Judaism.

Tu B’Shvat is a remarkable day that fosters unity through shared values and actions. In Israel, it connects early schoolchildren across all spectrums of Israeli Society—hareidi, national religious students (Dati Leumi), and secular (and hopefully Arab) children to the land. Across the country, children plant trees, bring home plants, and eat fresh and dried fruit, symbolising renewal and a deep-rooted bond with the land and the environment.

It is worth noting that Israel is the only country in the past century with a net-positive tree count, significantly increasing its forests. At the same time, much of the world faces deforestation. The Israel Environment story is a remarkable testament to Israel’s environmental resilience and commitment to sustainability—an aspect I’ll explore further in the future.

However, today, I want to focus on something broader: the three core values that define a holistic Judaism in our time—Religious Identity, Zionist Action, and Global Responsibility (Tikkun Olam). These values, though often compartmentalized, are deeply interconnected. Some Jews overseas have distanced themselves from the Zionist aspect of Judaism, but I want to keep this discussion positive and highlight how these three pillars come together.

Religious Identity – The Tu B’Shvat Seder and Spiritual Growth

The Tu B’Shvat Seder, established in the 16th century by the students of the Ari HaKadosh, follows a structure similar to the Pesach Seder, incorporating four cups of wine and symbolic fruits of the Land of Israel. This celebration of the Tree of Life (Etz HaChaim) reflects our spiritual growth and connection to the land.

This year, I was privileged to attend a Tu BiShvat Seder at Yiboneh, https://www.yiboneh.com/, a Jerusalem-based organization that fosters Jewish learning and chesed. Rabbi Yitzchak Breitowitz led the event, highlighting the importance of the Torah, tradition, connection to the environment and Jewish unity. It was a reminder that religious life is not just about ritual but about cultivating deep, meaningful connections—to God, the land, and one another.

Link to YouTube video:

Zionist Action – Reviving the Land Through Agriculture & Innovation

Tu B’Shvat is not just about trees—it’s about the revival of Israel itself. From the early Kibbutz movement to today’s cutting-edge agri-tech and water solutions, agriculture has been vital in Israel’s rebirth.

Israel’s success in desert agriculture, water conservation, solar energy, and sustainable farming has made it a world leader in agricultural innovation.

Here is a powerful Zionist message: our connection to the land is not just historical or spiritual but active and ongoing.

One of the greatest testaments to Israel’s commitment to empowering others comes from Golda Meir. In the late 1950s, as Israel’s foreign minister, she saw a unique opportunity to share Israel’s agricultural expertise with Africa. In 1958, after visiting newly independent African nations, she initiated MASHAV, Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation.

https://mashav.mfa.gov.il/

MASHAV is not about charity—it is about partnerships. Israeli experts go to Africa to teach water conservation, advanced irrigation techniques, and cooperative farming models. Instead of offering handouts, Israel empowered nations to build sustainable agricultural industries.

Golda Meir understood that despite Israel’s challenges—including economic hardship, regional threats, and its struggle for survival—we still had something to offer the world. And today, that message is more relevant than ever.

Despite the war, the hate, and the efforts to isolate Israel, we are still here, and we still believe in empowering others.

This is why Israel continues to lead in agri-tech, water innovation, and food security—not for political gain but because we believe in fostering relationships, improving society, and building a better future.

This translated to my message of Upgrading ESG – Empower Society for Good. I invite you to read about it in my book. https://www.upgradingesg.com/book

Global Responsibility – Sustainability, SDGs, and the Power of $10

Beyond Israel, Tu BiShvat teaches us about our responsibility to the planet and humanity. The concept of Tikkun Olam—repairing the world—extends beyond our immediate community to the broader global effort to promote sustainability and social impact.

A few years ago, I launched FarmUp, a platform I developed to promote social agro-finance loans. I want to reignite this vision by raising awareness about how small contributions can lead to massive change through the right kind of sustainability projects aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), bringing the knowledge and passion of Israelis.

Re-introducing FarmUp: A People-Powered Solution

Before October 7th, I envisioned FarmUp as a platform for agro-social finance loans—helping African farmers grow sustainable businesses, build infrastructure, and create joint agricultural projects.

But traditional investors hesitated. Bureaucratic funding models failed.

Then my son, while working on a business strategy project, suggested:

Why rely on institutions when we can harness the power of the people?

This suggestion led to a new vision: FarmUp as a global crowdfunding platform. In this movement, ordinary people fund sustainable farming projects across Africa, driven by Israeli expertise and the principles of Tikkun Olam.

A Simple, Scalable Model – $10 a Month

The idea is simple: small contributions ($10 at a time) could fund agricultural projects and empower farmers in developing regions. (Ditto – we can use the same concept to fund new projects in Israel)

Imagine if just one million people contributed $10 a month—the price of two cups of coffee.

1 million people → $10 million per month → $120 million per year

This $10 isn’t just charity—it’s empowerment. Together, we can Empower Society for Good.

A Unified Vision for the Future

Tu B’Shvat and the broader Jewish experience remind us that unity is not just an abstract ideal but a reality we create through action.

Through spiritual practice, Zionist initiatives, or global responsibility, we can embrace a holistic Judaism that strengthens Israel and betters the world.

From the Tu B’Shvat Seder, Israel’s agricultural transformation, Upgrading ESG to Empowering Society for Good, and the contribution of $10 in agro-social finance, these interconnected ideas show how Judaism is not just about the past but about building a sustainable and ethical future.

Despite war, challenges, and setbacks, we need to go on with life, work, and make an impact. We all have our battles and our own shikum (rehabilitation) to do.

For me, it’s projecting a positive Israel and sharing content, ideas, and initiatives. For you, it may be something else.

But this is what I can do; this is how I can contribute, and I believe we can rebuild something more potent than before.

Join the movement to Empower Society for Good.

Reach out if you want to help turn this vision into reality. www.farmup.tech

All images sourced and used with permission of www.upgradingesg.com