Opening Circle at BJ Women's Retreat 2009
Upcoming Events for Women | Rosh Hodesh | BJ Women’s Retreat | Resources for Rituals for Women
Almost a decade ago, the women at B’nai Jeshurun desired a communal space, to learn, pray and sing together.
Rabbi Felicia L. Sol felt the privilege and the responsibility to create this space. Together, in 2001, they established monthly Rosh Hodesh group meetings, corresponding to the Hebrew calendar months, and held the first Women’s Retreat. There has been an annual Women’s Retreat every year since then. There was an incredible awakening to have a forum where women could explore Judaism on their own terms and only hear voices of women, which had been less loud until our time.
Begin the Accounting of the Soul – “Heshbon Hanefesh”
Tuesday, August 10 | 7:30-9:00PM | 88th Street Frankel Hall
Join Rabbis Felicia Sol and Michelle Dardashti as we welcome the month of Elul and begin preparing for the High Holy Days. Please bring a dairy/vegetarian kosher offering to share.
If you would like to receive periodic emails about Rosh Hodesh meetings and other women’s events, contact Yaffa Garber.
There are many reasons why Rosh Hodesh is given as a holiday for women. Legends tell us that the women of Israel refused to surrender their jewelry for the creation of the golden calf. As a reward, the Israelite women were pardoned from working on Rosh Hodesh. Another popular reason is the similarity between the moon’s cycle and menstruation.
Each new month on the Hebrew calendar, we study, discuss, celebrate and pray together on this holiday traditionally associated with women. Please bring a dairy/vegetarian kosher snack to share.
Click here to read reflections of Rosh Hodesh and the Women’s Retreat.
Av: Monday, July 12, 2010
Elul: Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Heshvan: Saturday, October 9, 2010
Kislev: Sunday, November 7, 2010
Tevet: Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Shevat: Thursday, January 6, 2011
Adar I: Saturday, February 5, 2011
Adar II: Saturday, March 5, 2011
Nisan: Monday, April 4, 2011
Iyar: Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Sivan: Thursday, June 2, 2011
BJ has organized Women’s Retreats since 2001, half of them with Israeli delegations from Hamidrasha Institute. In recent years, the retreats have been held at Isabella Freedman’s retreat center in Connecticut. The retreats, a highlight for many BJ members, give women a chance to disconnect from their everyday lives and find connection in Judaism, nature, spirituality, song and each other.