Moonbeams: A Hadassah Rosh Hodesh Guide

As one other reviewer here mentioned, one need not be a woman, much less devoutly Jewish, to appreciate the education provided in this book. The intended audience, of course, is women. And much of the material covers the Jewish and Hebrew calendars as they affect women. Nevertheless, the book's nine chapters will interest anyone eager to know about Jewish life, its calendar, or topics important to the Jewish community today. The nine educational programs more or less align with the nine Jewish months that feature major Jewish holdiays. But the book is relevant to all months and years, since Rosh Kodesh, the Jewish welcome for a new month, is celebrated in every month, every year. Don't be confused: Although based on a lunar calendar, the Jewish, like the Gregorian year, includes 12 months---except during the 13th, or Jewish "leap" year, when an extra month is added, much like February 29 in every 4th Gregorian year. As noted by others, the book discusses the history and traditions of the "Rosh Hodesh," literally "The Head (or beginning) of the Month" and other important topics as traditional men's devotional garments (Kippah, Talit and Tefillin), which many Conservative and Reform Jewish women also now wear. I especially like the discussions on medical ethics and Jewish anti-Semitism. (Yes, unfortunately, Jewish Judeophobia is possible and occurs all too often.) But for those interested, the book also broaches female modesty, Jewish feminism and its history, women within the Israeli legal system, Jewish feminism within Jewish Orthodoxy and women Rabbis. Many such books rely on a narrow range of scholarship. Not this one. Rather it references female, male, Jewish and non-Jewish authorities---both current and historical--all of them carefully documented to allow interested readers to study those highly varied sources too.

Moonbeams accompanies the Jewish woman through the year. Its 9 chapters are filled with ideas to think about and activities to engage in - like the 9 months of pregnancy Jews sing about at Passover. The topics: "History and Observance of Rosh Hodesh" grounds the reader in an ancient context; "Kippah Talit and Tefillin" (men's wear redefined). A potpouri of concerns as the woman develops over the 9 months - modesty (an injunction for Jewish women in a miniskirt age?), Jewish self-hatred (does it apply to me?); medical ethics (what would I do if the unthinkable occurred?); "claiming a Jewish feminist heritage (do Jewish women have a history outside the kitchen?); ba'alot teshuvah (how can a modern woman revert to pre-feminist ways?); women and Israeli law (what is happening over there?); and women rabbis (is there a difference with men rabbis?). A wonderful feature of Moonbeams is that each chapter has a large variety of sources - the words of men and women, Jew and non-Jew, past and present. Each excerpt is carefully footnoted so the reader can go on from there to many more years of intellectual and spiritual development as a Jewish woman.Shulamit Reinharz, Ph.D. Professor, Brandeis University

This book is primarily intended for those who celebrate Rosh Hodesh, the Jewish festival of the New Moon -- traditionally considered a woman's holiday -- with a women's group. But you don't have to celebrate Rosh Hodesh or belong to a women's group to appreciate this work. I highly recommend it simply for personal enjoyment and study. The topics are wide-ranging and include medical ethics, women rabbis, the treatment of women in Israeli law, and Jewish self-hatred, among others. Each topic is approached from a feminist point of view. This is a wonderful book to curl up with on a Shabbat afternoon.