Across the Universe

Yesterday, before the Tu Bishvat Seder took place at the Bombay JCC, An Indian co-worker and myself put on a mix tape of pop songs of the 1960s and 1970s- in Hebrew. We hung up green streamers and danced around to Hebrew versions of " The Age of Aquarius" and " Obla di Obla da", placing the pink, yellow, blue and green Seder Hagadot (booklets) and leaf cut-outs on each of the tables. The sun shined in as we twisted the colorful papers around the room, decorated the tables, and put the finishing touches on a large cardboard tree which was to be used in a craft project following the Seder.

The Seder itself, like the funky Hebrew Beatles' songs, was also an adaptation of sorts. Instead of four cups madeof lighter and darker wine, we used lichi and pressed raisin juice. The fresh figs which we ate during the Seder came delivered by bicycle to the JCC wrapped in fig-leaves inside paper boxes. Older men stood up when saying the blessing of Borei Pri Hagefen over the raisin juice, beginning in their most cantorial voices, singing the first few words outloud, drawing outthe notes before the rest of the community joined in with their ancient tune.And an adorable two-year-old was also eager to grab the microphone and say blessings and "Ah-men!"

Women in Sarees read aloud about the four different mystical world. Families sang together Israeli and traditional songs inbetwen each reading. I managed to tune the old (and slightly warped) guitar in the office to accompany the children when they sang " The Almond Tree is Growing", and my Indian friend Lovena spoke about her experiences going on March of Living and her connection Hannah Senesh, Jewish paratrooper and an icon of courage from the time of WWII, who wrote a poetic prayer about nature. We sang Senesh's 'Eli, Eli' together: Oh Lord, My God, I pray that these never end/ The Sand and the Sea/The rush of the waters/ the crash of the Heavens/ the Prayer of the Heart.

What are my prayers for this community? How do we connect with trees and nature in this overcrowded city? One prayer is that the growth and nurturing of the children and youth here continues. That the community doesn't stop letting itself and the people within it grow, develop, and even change. That we continue planting the "carob trees" for the generations to come.

On a personal level, my prayers for my communities back home are the same. I hope that in all places we continue to foster grwoth and change, and that we value our connections with each other and with nature. Tu Bishvat here is a reminder of home, my Dad bringing baskets of fruits, Mom and Israeli songs about trees. I know that I have been able to grow here, branch out and survive here, because of these roots- my family and my friends- back home across the universe*.


*Lennon McCartney tune from the album Let It Be ( which is practically the motto of this country) 'Across the Universe' incidentally was composed in India during the Beatles visit to Rishikesh in UT.