Bess Ezekiel Rosh Hodesh Group

The Bess Ezekiel Rosh Hodesh Group is dedicated to the memory of Bess Ezekiel (z”l), who was one of the founders of the original Rosh Hodesh group at Temple Emunah. Bess was a teacher by training and became a bat mitzvah as an adult. She was deeply committed to lifelong learning and was always involved in Temple Emunah Sisterhood and the Women’s Seder Adult Education committee. The Bess Ezekiel Rosh Hodesh Group is funded by the Bess Ezekiel Memorial Fund.

The Bess Ezekiel Rosh Hodesh Group meets monthly for informal, participant-inspired women’s Rosh Hodesh gatherings. For more information contact Amy Rosenstein.

Kislev: Date: Thursday, November 20, 6:00 PM, Katz Meeting Room and Zoom

Carrie Watkins, Temple Emunah Rabbinic Intern:  Exploring Tehines: Traditional Jewish Women’s Prayer

We all know and love the siddur, our book of fixed prayers. This book was, by and large, created by men, for men. Did you know that Jewish women in Eastern Europe wrote their own sets of prayers? These informal prayers fell out of memory for many of us and are now being reclaimed. Often written in Yiddish, these prayers mark moments in the cyclical Jewish calendar, and mitzvot of particular significance for Jewish women throughout time. Together, we’ll learn more about the history of Tehines, read some together, and have a discussion about what it means to be a Jewish woman in a largely egalitarian society.

Tevet: Date: Sunday, December 14, 10 a.m., Social Hall 1

Breast and Ovarian Cancer Awareness: Challah Making and Presentation 

We will make challah dough together, then have an overview from a genetic counselor and a physician from our community. Finally, we will braid and decorate the challah dough to take home and bake.  Please feel free to bring your pre-school-age children.

Sharsheret is the Jewish breast and ovarian cancer community. Sharsheret improves lives through psychosocial support and saves lives through educational outreach, serving women and families before, during and after a diagnosis of breast or ovarian cancer. 

Shevat: Date: Tuesday, January 20, 6:00 PM, Katz Meeting Room (OPEN – please let us know if you have a topic you would like to discuss!)

Adar: Date: Wednesday, February 4, 6:00 PM, Katz Meeting Room

Tu B’shvat Gathering with Activities (please volunteer to lead an activity, a prayer or a craft!)

Nisan: Date: Sunday, March 15, 10 a.m., Wolk Chapel

Speaker:  Topic-Women and Food; speaker confirmation pending.

Iyar: Date: Thursday, April 16, 6:00 PM, Katz Meeting Room and Zoom

Book Discussion led by Linda Skolnik:  “As a Jew – Reclaiming Our Story From Those Who Blame, Shame, and Try to Erase Us” by Sarah Hurwitz (books available to borrow, please email rosensteinamy@gmail.com to get a copy, then pass along to another RH participant)

Sivan: Date: Sunday, May 17 10 a.m.

Spiritual Walk led by Liza Halley (location to be announced)

Tammuz: Date: Tuesday, June 16, 6:00 PM, Katz Meeting Room and Zoom

Movie Night led by Anna Nerenberg (watch movie ahead of time; movie to be announced in May)

For all events, please RSVP to leahsugarman@gmail.com