Moonbeams: A Hadassah Rosh Hodesh Guide

by Leora Tanenbaum

This hands-on "idea book" focuses on Rosh Hodesh, the festival of the new moon, as a source of spiritual growth for Jewish women. A complete sourcebook which will initiate or rejuvenate women's study groups, it is also perfect for women preparing for bat mitzvah, those seeking to expand their Jewish education, or for anyone interested in learning more about Rosh Hodesh observance and what it has to offer. Set up to guide readers through nine months of study and contemplation during each new moon, it can be used for spiritual exploring on your own, or as a group workbook. The study texts, discussion questions, outline of a Rosh Hodesh service, Bible readings, poetry, suggested readings, and more combine to offer readers a bounty of information for learning about and incorporating this inspiring part of Judaism into their lives. Selected • The History and Observance of Rosh Hodesh • Kippah, Tallit, and Tefillin • Claiming a Jewish Feminist Heritage • Ba'a lot Teshuvah • Women and Israeli Law • Women Rabbis

240 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2000

About the author

Leora Tanenbaum, author of six books, began researching and writing about slut-shaming before the term even existed. Her first book, Slut! is regarded as a significant contribution to feminist thought and the foundational text on slut-shaming. Called one of the 20 “must-read” books of all time for women, upon publication it shot up to become an Amazon Editor’s Choice book and an Amazon Top 10 Women’s Studies book.

I Am Not a Slut: Slut-Shaming in the Age of the Internet was the first book to analyze the proliferation of slut-shaming in the age of social media and digital culture. It was named one of 11 "groundbreaking books about women making history."

Currently, Tanenbaum is a frequent commentator for USA Today, where she discusses the gendered double standards faced by celebrities and non-celebs alike. She has written for The New York Times, Seventeen, Cosmopolitan, New York Daily News, The Nation, and U.S. News & World Report and has been a guest on Oprah, The Today Show, Nightline, Bill Maher, Fox News, MSNBC, and National Public Radio.

Reviews

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

i was disappointed that this book was not actually more dedicated to Rosh Chodesh proper, and was more of an overview and help-guide to holding/organizing Rosh Chodesh observances (i.e. women's meetings, etc.) for the days in question... still a good book though.

[Lev]

some interesting information on the history and observance of rosh chodesh, but not much else for the feminist, anti-zionist jew of today.