Rosh Hodesh

A time for women 

In the Jewish calendar, the appearance of a tiny sliver of the waxing new moon is observed every month as a period of renewal. Rosh Hodesh, literally "the head of the month," is celebrated 11 times a year (except in the month of Tishrei, when Rosh Hashanah, "the head of the year," takes precedence). When a new moon appears in the night sky and a new month begins, it is a time of special blessings, songs, study and feasting.  

In particular, women have maintained a strong connection to Rosh Hodesh, perhaps because we have long been associated with the moon and its cycles, or perhaps, as the Sages tell us, because the Israelite women did not contribute their gold and jewelry to the creation of the Golden Calf and, as a reward, were given Rosh Hodesh as a day off from work. Over the past 30 years, groups of Jewish women have once again used Rosh Hodesh as an opportunity for monthly celebrations. 

Since 1994, the women of Shir Hadash also have celebrated the new moon with special blessings, songs, study and feasting. Our vibrant Rosh Hodesh group has studied many things together: We have learned about the mikvah; about strong women such as Ruth, Esther, Vashti, Miriam, Judith and Lilith; about what makes us strong; about miracles and whether we have ever experienced any ourselves; about the environment and nature; about the Jewish zodiac; and about each other and much, much more. We have made Jewish-inspired dream-catchers, talitot, masks and music. We have reconstructed rituals such as the counting of the Omer.

One month we gathered with a Catholic women's spirituality group and had a wonderful interaction. Another month, we helped someone hang their mezzuzah and dedicate their house. We have become a support network helping each other through illness (our own and family members), difficult pregnancy/post partum, and bereavement. And in our group's 13th year, five of us celebrated adult b'not mitzvah together in a single ceremony. Every month we gather in each others' homes and have a sumptuous potluck feast. Join us!

Sara Shutkin is our Rosh Hodesh group coordinator.

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