Hazon Educational Library: Shabbat and Holidays
New Year for the Animals
There are four New Years festivals recorded in the Mishnah. You've probably heard of Tu B'Shvat, the new year of the trees, and Rosh HaShanah, the Jewish New Year. But did you know that Judaism has a New Year for the Animals? It's called Rosh Hashanah La'Behemot, and it falls on Elul 1.
Just as Tu B'Shvat has been revived as a Jewish Earth Day, Rosh Hashanah La'Behemot is a modern-day reminder of human relationships with animals. Animals provide humans with companionship, food, clothing and so much more. Rosh Hashanah La'Behemot is a time for us to honor our relationships with behemot, the animals in our lives.
Category: Animals, Shabbat and Holidays
Tags: Holidays
Climate Action Shabbat Guide
This Guide is designed to be an interesting educational resource and discussion stimulator as well as a practical set of tips and tools for you to adopt. The goal is for you to more closely align your Shabbat practices with your sustainability and Jewish values.
Veggie Prints Postcards
Instead of buying stamps made of plastic or styrofoam, use the unique and natural patterns found in nature to create beautiful art to send to friends and family. If this activity is being run in close proximity to a Jewish holiday, postcards can be framed specifically for these occasions. For example, use oranges, apricots and figs around Tu B'Shvat, use apples for Rosh HaShanah, and use a lulav and etrog after Sukkot.
Havdalah Sachets
Developing ritual objects can bring a depth of meaning into our lives. Create your own blended Havdalah spices to bring home in its own sachet. Learn about different herbs and spices and how they connect to the world around us!
Age(s): Elementary, Teens
Greening Chanukah Guide
The Greening Chanukah Guide offers an overview of Chanukah through the lens of sustainability. Find tips and tricks for greening your holiday and learn more about the environmental implications of oil production to help create a healthier and more sustainable world for all!
Setting a Conscious Table – four questions to help you prepare a Passover Seder
As you prepare for the Passover seder this year, consider using these four questions to help inform your own conscious food choices, and to enhance your discussions with family and friends during the holiday.
A Hanukkah Dilemma: Dairy Making, Judith and the Dairy Industry
Three-fold workshop, which involves delving into the history of dairy on Hanukkah, making cheese and butter, and a discussion about the dairy industry and striving towards greater ethical consumption under capitalism, under the lens of our environmental crisis.
Age(s): Adults
Exploring the Water Cycle and Hebrew Holidays
Students will learn how the Jewish holidays relate to the water cycle. We will look at the water cycle of North East United States & Israel to compare and contrast the differences between the water cycles in each region and the holidays that occur during those times.
Age(s): Middle School
Exploring Do it Yourself Judaism: Crafting Hand Dipped Beeswax Shabbat Candles
In this program, participants explore the intention of Shabbat and the traditional and modern meaning and purpose of lighting Shabbat candles. Participants learn about the value of making Jewish ritual objects by hand, and get a small taste of the exciting world of bees!
Mikveh: Jewish Ritual Immersion in Living Waters
This program leads participants in mikveh, Jewish ritual immersion, in a spring-fed stream.
Age(s): Adults
Rosh Hashana Symbolism Through Food
A Rosh Hashana seder during which you will be connecting food to different intentions for the new year.
Category: Jewish Food traditions, Shabbat and Holidays
Age(s): High School, Middle School
