This season we celebrate TU B'SHVAT and PURIM (and there is one fast day).
CALENDAR
Date
Holiday
Description
December 23, 2012
Tenth of (Asara b') Tevet
Fast to remember the beginning of the siege on Jerusalem. The death of Ezra the Scribe and the ordering of the first translation of the Bible (into Greek) also occurred on this day.
January 26, 2013 ( Begins on the 25th at sundown)
Tu B'Shvat
Arboreal New Year. Plant a tree. Eat the "7 species" - fruits originating in Israel (figs, dates, carob, almonds etc.).
February 24-25, 2013 (begins on the 23rd at sundown).
Purim
Festival of Masquerades: more meaningful than Halloween, more fun than Mardi Gras. Wear a costume. Read or act out the Megillah (Book of Esther). Spin the grogger. Eat Hamentashen. Give food baskets and charity.
