Rosh Chodesh Minyan - January 2000

Rosh Chodesh-Women's Minyan:
Five Years Strong and Growing

"The Jewish year dances to the rhythm of the moon…" With these words, published in the May 1994 Bulletin, the founding mothers of the Congregation Albert Women's Minyan introduced the celebration of Rosh Chodesh, the new moon, to our congregation.

Rosh Chodesh, celebrated at the new moon, marks the beginning of each Jewish month. The Women's Minyan celebrated our first Rosh Chodesh ceremony on Rosh Chodesh Iyar 5754 (April 1994). On that evening about 20 women gathered in the Chuppah courtyard with candles and flashlights to welcome the new moon, pray, shmooze and eat together.

The service was a compilation of Rosh Chodesh ceremony, song and prayer gathered from other Rosh Chodesh Minyans throughout the country. Under the leadership of Elisheva Crowell, our first shliach tzibor (service leader), the group developed a service and ceremony unique to Congregation Albert that featured the poetry and prose of members of the Women's Minyan. Each month a different woman had the opportunity to give a D'rash on a subject related to the theme of the Jewish month.

After three years, Elisheva stepped down as shliach tzibor and Tanya Miller became the service leader. Tanya has led the group through changes in the form of the service, service time and even location. Some parts of the service have not changed, however. Rosh Chodesh is still an opportunity for women to come together to pray, shmooze and share our knowledge and wisdom as Jewish women.

This month, the Women's Minyan is formally celebrating five years of welcoming Rosh Chodesh at Congregation Albert. Please join us at Friday evening and Saturday morning services on the weekend of 21 and 22 Tevet 5760 (January 28-29, 2000) as we honor our founding mothers and the women who faithfully make the Rosh Chodesh ceremony to this very season.

For a list of Rosh Chodesh Minyan dates, please click here.

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