Every Match is a Seed
Cari Uslan, CEO
Tu B’Shvat, the New Year of the Trees, is both a celebration of what already flourishes and what is still taking root. In Jewish tradition, we honor the trees for the shade they cast and the fruit they bear, but also for the quiet, ongoing work they do to sustain life beneath the surface. It is both a harvest and a beginning. A moment to appreciate what has grown, and to commit again to what we are still cultivating.
This dual truth mirrors the heart of mentorship.
At Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles, every match is a living investment in a young person’s future. Some impact is immediate: a sense of connection, a moment of laughter, the relief of being seen. But often, the deeper transformation unfolds slowly across seasons of trust, encouragement, and steady presence. The roots deepen before the branches stretch.
Judaism teaches us to plant with intention, not only for ourselves, but for the generations that follow. The Talmud tells of a man who plants a carob tree, knowing it may not bear fruit in his lifetime. When asked why, he replies, “Just as my ancestors planted for me, I plant for my children.” This is the same spirit that guides our Bigs. Each outing or conversation with their Little is an act of generosity toward the future. A bet on what could be.
And still, planting is only the beginning.
What sustains growth over time is care. Like tending to a tree, mentorship thrives not only on hope but on action: on showing up, asking questions, listening without rushing to solve, encouraging a young person to step more fully into themselves. The day-to-day work of mentoring may seem ordinary, but over time it bears the sweetest fruit. This is what Tu B’Shvat asks of us: to be caretakers of possibility.
Thank you for planting with us. For trusting that the time and love we invest today will shape the communal landscape of tomorrow.