The following is the introduction to the unit on the value of Unity.
Have you ever walked through a forest of aspen? On the surface you see a multitude of trees; each a free-standing pillar of beauty with its own unique trunk, branches, and leaves.
However, just under the surface hides an enormous and intricately interconnected root system. Scientists have found that whole forests of aspen are actually one entity. Some botanists argue that such aspen forests are actually the largest living organisms on earth. For example, Dr. Michael C. Grant, in his work as a professor at the University of Colorado, reported an aspen clone consisting of 47,000 tree trunks covering 106 acres and weighing millions on pounds.
The trees may appear separate entities, but they are actually part of one wholeness. This mind-blowing fact compels us to wonder,“Where else do we see things as separate when actually they are but part of an inherent oneness?” This question is at the heart of Jewish teachings about unity, achdut.
The Year of Growth book enriches the Momentum year-long journey. Most Partner Organizations build on Year of Growth resources to deepen group learning. Mothers use the book to share learning with friends and family and to bring the learning back to their children.
Year of Growth is given in Israel to all Momentum trip participants in English, Russian, Spanish, or Hebrew as of 2020.