Joy and Pruning: Two “Thinking Jew” Conversation Starters for Tu B’Shvat One of the many goals of our Kinneret 8th Grade is to become what we call a “thinking Jew.” Thinking Jews explore new ideas in Judaism and new trends in the culture of our people both here in the US and in Israel and they integrate that information into their identity.. Thinking Jews also look at the Chagim with more mature understandings, aiming to acquire meaningful lessons they can take with them as emerging adults. With this in mind, we asked the following questions in our class with respect to Tu B’Shvat. They helped all of us to become better “thinking Jews” and they helped us explore personal meaning in the chag. 1- Simcha: Rabbi Rabbi Dovid Hofstedter in his book the Doresh David points out that as Tu B’Shvat is the Rosh HaShanah for trees (Mishnah Rosh Hashana 1:1), and we act with joy toward this day. We omit supplicatory prayers like tachanun and we greet each with the chag sameach greeting. Yet,