Rosh Chodesh programming at B’nai Torah Congregation
Women come together from the synagogue and community-at-large for an intimate program, several times per year, to celebrate Rosh Chodesh, on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:00 PM. Each of these scheduled programs is an opportunity to celebrate a new Jewish calendar month, discover its themes, discuss the holidays that occur within that month, and learn together in a place of non-judgement and authenticity- created for and by Jewish women.
Rosh Chodesh means “head of the month” in Hebrew and marking the new month was one of the very first commandments that were given to the Hebrews. According to legend, the holiday was a reward given to the women of Israel as they were wandering in the desert after they were slaves in Egypt, because they refused to surrender their jewelry for the creation of the Golden Calf. Because of their righteousness, the women were exonerated from working on Rosh Chodesh and it then became a joyous time in the calendar to bond with like-minded women, discover ways to bring Judaism into their daily lives., and envision a path forward as a free person who can influence their own future.
Today, women display immense creativity in recouping this observance of Rosh Chodesh by creating programs ranging from traditional text study to nature walks, singing, arts and crafts, learning circles, and thematic discussions.
Please feel free to join us as we gather together as women and distinguish the mundane passage of time, of months, into sacred moments. We do not let the months simply pass, but we set intentions for what we hope to achieve in the new month ahead.
Becky Starr, Chairperson