LATE BREAKING NEWS — TU B’SHEVAT SEDER THIS FRIDAY!

TU B’SHEVAT SERVICE AND SEDER — Friday, January 29, 6:30 p.m., 2101 Bluebonnet Lane. (See Shabbatfor directions.)

Another South Austin minyan — known as A Group of Young Jews — invited us to join  their annual Tu B’Shevat seder, to be held here at Beth Firepit, and we accepted.

There will still be a short Shabbat evening service at 7 pm, followed by the seder (held at a table outside) or the usual potluck, whichever you prefer. Please visit Holidays for specific details and note that we need an RSVP if you’re coming to the seder!

Tu B’Shevat originated in the 16th century as a celebration of trees held when spring rains arrive in the Middle East, with a ritual feast using symbolic foods. Modern Jews expanded the theme to encompass Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax, Kabalistic mysticism and everything in between. A Group of Young Jews uses a haggadah written by Jews for a Just Peace, which defines itself as “Jews who oppose the Israeli government’s policies and practices toward the Palestinian people” — a viewpoint you may or may not embrace. Nevertheless, the seder is meant to stimulate discussion and, more importantly, reconciliation between Israel and Palestine, and while the Firepit Minyan hasn’t taken political positions, we’re all about discussion and reconciliation. The haggadah contains wonderful readings from the Torah as well as early and modern Israelis and Palestinians.

GET OUT YOUR DATEBOOKS

The Firepit crew has straggled back from the December break and made some big plans.

Next Shabbat evening service is Friday, January 29 at 6:30 pm. Not only that, it’s Tu B’Shevat. Find out more. . .

Next Mitzvah Corps project takes place at the Food Bank, Saturday, January 23, from 1 to 4 pm. Find out more. . .

Purim and Pesach are fast approaching. We need castmembers for the purimshpiel and revelers, chefs and sommeliers for the seder. Find out more. . .

And finally the Firepit Minyan page on Facebook has some incredible photographs of Hanukah, taken by brilliant Joey Gidseg. (This may be a link.)

MAYBE LATER WE CAN BUILD A SNOWMAN? NAH. . .

Two Christmas mitzvah projects are now available to minyanites and their friends and some are doing both. You can:

- volunteer at Seton Hospital during an assortment of 4-hour time blocks on December 24 or 25, and/or

- feed the hungry in a freelance manner with our minyan gang on Christmas morning.

Go immediately to Mitzvah Corps for the details, and to RSVP.

Furthermore, who wants to coordinate dinner — Chinese, deli? — on Christmas night? Email Robin. Let’s make it happen.