Nature and trees highlighted at Shabbat Dinner in Westlake

Chabad of Westlake Village will host a Shabbat Dinner in honor of Tu B'shvat, the Jewish Arbor Day, also known as the New Year for Trees and Nature, on Fri., Feb. 2.

Services and candle lighting will be at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m.

Guest speakers will include nature instructor Rabbi Menachem Rodal of Los Angeles, who's known for his hands-on presentations about mother nature, the animal kingdom and insects.

Rabbi Yitzchak Sapochkinsky, leader of the Westlake congregation, will speak on "Everything I Needed to Know I Learned from a Tree."

The program is open to all adults and children, regardless of affiliation.

There's no fee, although donations will be accepted.

Chabad will join with hundreds of communities marking Jewish Arbor Day.

Celebrations typically include planting trees, committing oneself to environmentally friendly projects and learning about the sanctity and importance of nature.

RSVP by Mon., Jan. 29 by calling (805) 374-8666.