Neighbor News
Rosh Hodesh Sh'vat Celebrated by TBA Sisterhood
Recently members joined to welcome the month of Sh'vat in the Jewish year 5776.
Rosh Hodesh is the Hebrew term for the beginning of the month on the Jewish calendar. The new month, or Rosh Hodesh, has evolved into a women’s holiday. Temple B’nai Abraham’s Sisterhood joins together, led by Rabbi Faith Joy Dantowitz, a few times a year to welcome the new month with conversation, learning, spiritual growth, and connection. Recently members joined to welcome the month of Sh’vat in the Jewish year 5776. In the middle of Winter, Sh’vat is a time to reflect on rebirth and renewal. Sh’vat which often occurs in January or February, is the month in which the holiday of Tu B’shvat is celebrated sometimes with a Seder (the New Year of the Trees). To celebrate the New Year of the trees, it’s customary to eat three categories of food: food with inedible shell (such as almonds); food with pits (such as olives) and fully edible fruit (such as grapes). Commenting on Rosh Hodesh, Rabbi Faith Joy Dantowitz noted, “Rosh Hodesh is a special women’s holiday. Treat yourself to a night out here at TBA. Sisterhood invites you to join in an evening of warmth, spirituality, conversation, learning and of course, nosh! All women are welcome, from all generations!”
Pictured several members of Sisterhood invoking the presence of our matriarchs as they light candles and prepare for Sh’vat with a Tu B’Shvat Seder.
The next Rosh Hodesh session will be Thursday, March 10, at 7:30 PM, free and open to the community. For information, call Rabbi Dantowitz at 973-994-2290 or visit www.tbanj.org.
