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In honor of Tu BiShvat (the Jewish New Year of Trees), have some of my favorite Jewish art depicting trees.

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When Nikolai the walrus, from the Netherlands, received a fish cake for his birthday from a zookeeper. This was his reaction.

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Came across this fallen Chaffinch nest, fortunately fallen before any eggs laid it seems. Absolutely gorgeous nests

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bunnies in chinese hanfu from various dynasties by 添添Emily

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Video I've been thinking about a lot recently

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The night sky on Mars

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Hershel facing down the Goblin King from Eric Kimmel's book : 'Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins' illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman

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Vampire moth by The Magical Bat

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And here is my husband’s grandmother’s recipe, in her handwriting. She interviewed all the ladies around the pool in Florida to come up with the best recipe:

Erev Yom Kippur Honey Cake

3 cups sifted flour

2 teaspoons double-acting baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

2 tsp ginger

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp salt

3 eggs

1 cup sugar

1 cup honey

1 cup boiling coffee

2 tbspns oil or melted shortening

2 tbspns chopped nuts (optional)

Sift flour. Measure & sift again with baking powder, baking soda, spices and salt.

Beat eggs until thick & light, about 5 minutes.

Add sugar to eggs gradually, beating well.

Add honey, coffee and shortening. Blend well.

Add dry ingredients. Beat until well blended.

Sprinkle nuts on bottom of greased and waxed paper lined 9x13x2 inch pan.

Bake in moderate oven (375 F) 30-35 minutes or until done.

Let stand in pan 5 minutes, then turn out on rack.

Cut into squares. Makes 24 servings.

Jewish culture is having a honey cake recipe for Rosh Hashanah written out in your great-grandmother’s handwriting

[id: a handwritten recipe written in cursive on an old and stained lined page. /.End id]

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Beaded Torah Mantle, Jewish Museum, New York.

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Hedgehog-shaped jar, Neolithic period (3500-3000 BCE)

Courtesy Alain Truong

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