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Skirball Cultural Center

Roots and Renewal: Honoring the New Year of the Trees

Public Programs | Special Event

Outdoor image of a lush green corner of the Skirball campus with a large tree in the center.

Photo by Lindsey Best

Join us for a FREE day of gratitude, healing, learning, and community in recognition of the Jewish New Year of the Trees with artist-led talks, a curated Tu B’Shevat experience, food samples, guided campus walks, panel discussions, art making, and more.

This is a past program

This program took place on
Sunday, February 2, 2025

About the Program

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

Tu B'Shevat Experience

Haas Conference Center/Taper Courtyard

  • 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!

    -View (and then taste!) various displays.
    -Create and write poe-tree on community craft tables with seed paper. Facilitated by Shemesh Farms
    -Pickling in jars, facilitated by Mary MacVean, former Mind & Body editor at Los Angeles Times
    -Make compost with Steven Wynbrandt.

And more.

More Activities

Family Art Studio

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

Hurd Gallery

  • Ancient Wisdom for a Future Ecology: Trees, Time, and Technology Gallery Tour
    11:00–11:45 am and 2:30–3:15 pm
    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, BLDGBLOG author Geoff Manaugh, and author and podcast host Nicola Twilley, 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.
     
  • Guided Mindfulness "Awe Walk" for All Ages
    1:00–2:00 pm and 2:00–3:00 pm
    Join Skirball’s mindfulness mensch, Mark Landsman, for a guided awe walk through the magical natural environment of our campus.

Taper Courtyard

  • Tote Bag Screen Printing Workshop
    11:00 am–3:00 pm
    Hosted by Self Help Graphics.
     
  • Roots and Renewal—Community Ritual
    3:15–4:00 pm
    End the day with concluding remarks by Skirball President and CEO Jessie Kornberg, Skirball 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.

About Tu B'Shevat

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.

Donor Support

Roots and Renewal: Honoring the New Year of the Trees at the Skirball Cultural Center is made possible through generous support from the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles.

 

Jewish Community Foundation Logo
Mother holding young daughter dancing and smiling outside during a festival

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