Ringing in unique new year

Natasha Yangarber-Hicks brought her 2-year-old daughter, Hannah, to Morton Arboretum Sunday for a little Jewish flavor.

The two first listened to a storyteller and puppeteer, and later planned to make paper, watch Israel folk dancers and listen to a Yiddish song group. All in all, they said they had a blast celebrating the Jewish New Year for Trees in Lisle.

"I want (Hannah) to be exposed to Jewish-related events," the Wheaton resident said.

Storyteller and puppeteer Marilyn Price of Evanston specializes in Judaism and travels around the country to perform.

"This is the Jewish holiday, and it celebrates the Jewish new year for trees," she said. "It's the time of year you plant trees if you live in Israel."

Price enjoyed the full house crowd Sunday.

"I love the audience," she said. "I love teaching, and these are stories of value so they actually hit each audience member in a different way."

Jennifer Toffler of Elmhurst brought her husband, Steven, and daughters Maya, 6, and Laney, 2, to the tree celebration.

"We don't know much about this Jewish holiday, and we thought it would be fun for the kids to learn a little bit more -- and for us to learn a little bit more," Toffler said.

Dozens of people throughout the day stopped at the arboretum, despite the single-digit temperatures.

Jane Wang of Lisle also sat in on the puppeteer show.

"The lady is very good at telling stories. She makes those sounds and captures people's attention," Wang said. "I usually just read from a book."