Yes, it’s cold and grey and snowy. It’s February! The cruelest month. But more and more, slowly, slowly, we are beginning to register that the sun is rising earlier and riding higher in the sky. Sunset is holding on a few minutes later each and every day.

Resilience. Renewal. Hope.

The genius of the Jewish calendar for me is how it reflects what is happening in the natural world around us and the inner experience of life-time and seasons. For example, in the dark days of winter, we celebrate Hanukah by lighting candles at home to counter the cold.

During the change of seasons in fall, Jews celebrate a raft of holidays that urge us to see our lives in balance, to self-examine, to appreciate the blessings of harvest and to embrace our vulnerability as we head into winter.

This full moon in February is a lesser-known Jewish holiday called Tu Bishevat – literally the 15th of (the month of) Shevat which is hailed as The New Year of Trees. In this turning from the depth of winter, the trees know that it is time to soften their outer exterior and let sap flow up from the warming roots. This time of year, a new ring forms beneath the bark. This is the season of tapping our maple sap as this sweet elixir of new life rises.

The first signs of rebirth are subtle, quiet, unseen. But something rises. There is a hope, a possibility. This is emergence from the deep stillness.

This is how it is to emerge out of personal darkness. This is how it is to emerge from collective despair.

Verse after verse, the psalmist cries out “Where will my help come from.” In depression and despoilment, we have the same question. Perhaps we are even too hopeless to ask.

This actual image of sap rising – this metaphor – is an organic truth in this moment. Perhaps in early spring we can “tap into” our inner rising.

My prayer for you and me and all of us is to feel more and more the return of light – in all its meanings – in our darkest hours.

Rabbi Andrea Cohen Kiener leads Temple Israel in Greenfield. She was ordained with the Alliance for Jewish Renewal, which practices a heart-centered and socially progressive expression of Judaism. She chose to serve in Greenfield because of the beautiful environment and rich local food scene. Andrea has been active in local garden projects and the EggShare chicken cooperative. Andrea is an active member of the Interfaith Council of Franklin County. Her grown children are all slightly above average and her grandkids are very, very cute.

Temple Israel Greenfield is the heart of Jewish life in Franklin County. The temple offers programming – cultural, social and spiritual – for all ages and stages of life. Regular offerings include Hebrew language classes, holiday and social gatherings. The recently refinished sanctuary is a unique and beautiful space which compliments the sound of singing and worship. Temple Israel is the home of several on-going musical series, including the Shtetl Twang music series and Hiddur Shabbat worship services. Temple Israel is an open and affirming community.

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