Jews Talk Racial Justice - S2E1: Tu B'Shevat and the Wisdom of Trees
QUICK EPISODE OVERVIEW
In honor of the New Year of Trees, April and Tracie take some time to think about what we have to learn from trees. From rootedness to developmental stages in a life cycle to the capacity to be kind, trees model some key lessons for humans.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
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Do you celebrate Tu b’Shevat? What is the significance of the holiday for you? Has its significance changed given the pandemic and/or the current situation of the world?
April tells us at the beginning of the episode about how she has been thinking about “the intuitive and sacred guidance that trees offer us around how to be in the world.” What immediately comes to your mind when she says this? When, if ever, have you used or heard metaphors of trees to bring guidance and wisdom in your life or the world?
April recounts how many folks she works with often have a sense of urgency around racial justice and wants things to be concrete “right now.” Do you have these tendencies of urgency? How do they show up in your life?
Tracie and April talk about the rootedness (hishtarshut) of trees, connection, and belonging. Where in your life are you well rooted? Where might you be able to strengthen your roots in your life and communities?
Tracie adds to April’s point by explaining how trees share resources with other trees and are kind to each other through their roots, even asking each other for more nutrients when needed. What does this image bring up for you? Are there examples in your life and in your communities where this happens? What would the world look like if we incorporated this more into our lives?
Thinking again about roots and rootedness, how has the Covid-19 pandemic (and where the world is now generally) shaped or changed your roots?
INSIGHTS FROM THIS EPISODE
“Rootedness in the context of capitalism, and racism, and patriarchy is so undervalued, because to be rooted is to be powerful, and systems of oppression don’t work well when people are powerful. And yet, that is how we cultivate spiritual, emotional, mental, and even racial justice power, by steady, slow, irreversible, consistent progress.”
“Trees are meditative, and trees take their time, and this world as it exists right now wouldn’t be possible without trees. And trees can live for a very long time. They take the time they need to grow strong and big, and they’re in communication with each other. They often honor each other’s boundaries. And they’re incredibly resilient.”
“If she is judging herself because she’s not the mighty oak, it’s only because she hasn’t taken the time to grow. There’s wisdom in the flexibility of a sapling; it has to be flexible so that it can bend, but not break.”
“What’s possible with patience and profound commitment and trust that if we do the right things and take one step at a time, that mighty accomplishments can be achieved?”
“In this time that feels so hard, it will just be one ring in that trunk and this too shall pass.”
COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS?
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