The “Feast,” which kicked off last month, continues through Saturday, Feb. 20 with events throughout the Bay Area.
Traditionally a women’s celebration, the monthly appearance of a tiny sliver of the waxing moon is observed as a time of renewal. Rosh Hodesh means literally “the head of the month.”
BJE is hoping to create a renewed interest in Rosh Hodesh among women, men and children. The celebration offers an opportunity to examine how Jews mark and use time. It is also an occasion to celebrate all of creation by expressing gratitude for the renewal of life.
The BJE has compiled more than 1,000 bags stuffed with information and gifts related to Rosh Hodesh, including an educational pamphlet called “Rosh Hodesh: How to.” The booklet continues the following information on how to mark Rosh Hodesh:
Each month on the Jewish calendar has its own special character shaped by the seasons and holidays, anniversaries of historic events, and birthdays and yahrzeits (anniversaries of deaths) of historically significant Jews. Below you will find some ideas for study, discussion and celebration at Rosh Hodesh. Remember, there are virtually no rules for marking Rosh Hodesh, so let your imagination and interest guide you.
Tishrei (September-October)
Holidays: Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot and Simchat Torah
(Rosh Hodesh Tishrei is not celebrated as a Rosh Hodesh per se. The first of the month is actually the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah.)
*Examine the process of teshuvah. (Often translated as repentance, it means “returning,” or personal transformation through self-reflection.)
*Study Genesis 1-3 (stories of Creation and Eden).
*Enjoy the bountiful fruit of late summer and early fall.
Heshvan (October-November)
Sometimes called Mar Heshvan — Bitter Heshvan — because it contains no holidays.
*Study the story of Leah and Rachel (Genesis 29-31 and 35:16-20). Rachel’s death is said to have come on the 11th of this month. Discuss reasons for her bitterness and sorrow.
*Discuss the significance and symbolism of rain and winter.
Kislev (November-December)
Holiday: Chanukah
*Discuss miracles: What is a miracle? What miraculous events have we experienced?
*Study the story of Judith (from the Apocrypha).
*Eat fried foods as a reminder of the miracle of the oil in the Chanukah story.
Tevet (December-January)
Holiday: Fast of the 10th of Tevet, which commemorates the siege of Jerusalem at the end of the First Temple period.
*Learn about Jeru-salem, past and present.
*Study the poems about Jerusalem written by Yehuda Amichai, a contemporary Israeli poet who writes with irony, anger and love about this complicated city.
Shevat (January-February)
Holiday: Tu B’Shevat, the New Year of the Trees.
*Hold a Tu B’Shevat seder, a ritual similar to a Passover seder in format, but focused on trees and the relationship between Judaism, nature and ecology. (Haggadot for Tu B’Shevat seders are available through the BJE, synagogues and Jewish environmental groups.)
Adar (February-March)
Holiday: Purim
*Study the Scroll of Esther.
*Organize a food drive for the hungry in honor of the Purim tradition of creating Mishloach Manot (care packages).
Nisan (March-April)
Holidays: Passover and Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day.
*Discuss slavery and freedom in our history and in our own lives.
*Read and discuss Elie Wiesel’s book “Night” or selections from Anne Frank’s diary.
*Mark the beginning of spring by planning a walk or hike, go bird watching or look for wildflowers.
*Have a Passover recipe swap or share Passover songs.
Iyar (April-May)
Holidays: Yom HaAtzma’ut, Israel Independence Day; Lag B’Omer, the 33d day of counting the Omer; and Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day.
*Examine Israel’s Scroll of Independence and use newspaper clippings to discuss Israel over the past 50 years.
*Have a picnic with Israeli foods and light bonfires in honor of Lag B’Omer.
Sivan (May-June)
Holiday: Shavuot. The Feast of Weeks marks the first fruits of the harvest in ancient Israel and the time when Moses received the Torah at Mount Sinai.
*Study and discuss the Ten Commandments. For example, which commandments would you include if you were to write them today? Which ones would you change? Why?
*Eat early summer fruit and dairy products like blintzes or cheesecake.
Tammuz (June-July)
Holiday: Fast of the 17th of Tammuz. It marks the day the Romans breached the walls of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.
*Make a healing amulet or a mizrach, which is a traditional wall hanging that says “east” and is placed on an eastern wall to indicate the direction of Jerusalem.
Av (July-August)
Holiday: Tisha B’Av, the Fast of the Ninth of Av, which commemorates the destruction of both Temples and other major calamities.
*Study the Book of Lamentations.
*Look at Judaism’s perspective on death and mourning.
Elul (August-September)
No holidays. This month is used to prepare for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
*Discuss the significance and liturgy of the High Holy Days and ways to make them meaningful.
*Learn to sound the shofar, the ram’s horn blown each morning in Elul and on the High Holy Days.
*Make Jewish New Year cards to send to family, friends and homebound seniors.