Over the course of history Jews have taken part in the citrus trade out of financial and religious necessity. In honor of the upcoming Holiday of the Trees, we will learn about the significance of "perot hadar" and the place that both citrus and almond (two symbols of the holiday) have had in Jewish kitchens from Marrakesh to Vienna. Although here in New England, we feel neck-deep in winter, the holiday of Tu B'Shvat reminds us the the trees are waking up!

Ariella Amshalem is an American-Israeli Chef and Chef Instructor whose grandparents came from Istanbul and Izmir, Turkey to New York City in the 1920s. After many years living in Israel and working as a cafe cook, culinary tour guide and private chef, Ariella now resides in New England with her husband and children where she teaches about Sephardic culture and history through the lens of food and cooking.
Ariella holds a certificate in Pastry from the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts, and a Graduate Certificate in Food Studies from Boston University.