Tu B’Shvat – Growing a Compassionate Community
Dear Friends,
As we celebrate Tu B’Shvat, a new year for the trees, we reflect on growth, resilience, and the deep roots that sustain us as individuals and as a community. Just as trees rely on their roots to anchor them and draw nourishment, we all thrive when supported by a community built on love, acceptance, and shared responsibility.
At Libenu, we see this daily—the beauty of a community that uplifts every individual, recognizing that Kol Yisroel Arevim Zeh L’Zeh, all Jews are responsible for one another. This sacred value teaches us that no one stands alone. We are all interconnected, like the trees of a forest, supporting each other through acts of kindness, understanding, and compassion.
Tu B’Shvat also reminds us to express our Hakarat Hatov, acknowledging and appreciating the many blessings in our lives. Just as we are thankful for the fruits, shade, and beauty of the trees, we pause to express gratitude for the people who fill our lives with meaning. At Libenu, we give thanks for the individuals, families, and supporters who help us create programs filled with love and inclusion – our embracing kosher homes that provide peace of mind for the future and our Lev Respite After-School, Lev Lilah, and Camp Lev programs where families find a much-needed reprieve from the constant demands of caregiving. Like the trees in the forest whose roots run deep and strong, Libenu stands firmly rooted in the community, providing unwavering support, love, and inclusion for individuals with disabilities and their families.
This Tu B’Shvat, as we plant seeds for the future, let us renew our commitment to growing an inclusive community where every individual is seen, valued, and loved. May we continue to nurture each other with care and kindness, knowing that, like a tree planted by the waters, we will grow stronger together.
Best wishes,
Shana Erenberg, Ph.D.
CEO
