Tu’Bishvat has been celebrated widely across Kisharon services.
Children at Tuffkid Nursery took part in fruit-themed activities including creating a fruit shop where children with toy money and credit cards had fun exchanging different fruits for Tu’Bishvat. They also learnt about juice by squeezing oranges and sang songs for the Chag.
At Kisharon Noe School, pupils took part in an array of activities including planting flowers and making fruit kebabs. Volunteers at Kisharon’s Childs Hill Library, people who attend Kisharon Adult Opportunities and those who live in Kisharon Supported Living marked Tu’Bishvat by planting fruit shrubs in the library garden.
Sarah Sharlott, Head of Social Enterprise and Community Development said, “All the people we support and volunteers were thrilled to be outdoors and celebrating Tu’Bishvat. We planted raspberry canes and strawberry plants and were shown by someone we support how to plant the strawberries. It has been a wonderful day.”
Totteridge Ward Councillor, Caroline Stock and Childs Hill Councillor, Anne Clarke who represents Barnet and Camden in the London Assembly were delighted to be invited and were given a plant to commemorate the occasion.
The councillors praised Kisharon’s commitment to developing the green space at the library with its gardening club. Both were delighted to hear Kisharon had secured funding to develop raised beds where people Kisharon support will be growing a variety of crops including horseradish to be used at Pesach. They were also impressed to see how Kisharon was making the connection between outdoor space and mental and physical wellbeing.
It was extra special for those attending the garden to help a year after planting the Covid-19 memorial garden at the library which has been used by the community as a place of reflection for those who lost friends or relatives.