Rosh Hodesh: Beauty in the Purim Story

For 6th grade Rosh Hodesh this month, we looked at the Purim story and its #1 hero... Esther! We found that Esther was chosen as queen for her beauty, but saved the day for the Jews by using her brains and bravery. We used this story as inspiration when talking about the way women are judged on their looks today. Though we agreed that men can also be judged by their looks, we all felt that women are judged more harshly- just like Esther in the beauty contest for queen!

We created two group collages from pictures in magazines. One was a collection of positive representations of women. The other was a collection of negative representations of women. Our positive images included good role models (like Taylor Swift, chosen by several Rosh Hodesh members!), "unlikely" models (like women of color or women who were older than the typical model), women who were promoting healthy lifestyles, and women who weren't wearing lots of make up:

Our negative images included women who made big changes to their looks, women who were unhealthy, and women that were too provocative (including a 10 year old model!):

I found it really interesting that it was so much easier for the girls to find negative representations than positive ones! And we pointed out that even our positive representations often left a lot to be desired. This fascinating activity ended with a viewing of Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty video Evolution (so good we watched it twice!).

Rosh Hodesh & Tu B'shevat

Yesterday, our 6th grade Rosh Hodesh group celebrated a very special holiday- Tu B'shevat!

We enjoyed a tasty treat of fruits and nuts from 3 categories- edible insides and inedible outsides, edible outsides and inedible insides, and totally edible.










We also baked our own oatmeal cookies with mix-ins that represented traditional Tu B'shevat fruits and nuts (raisins and walnuts). We threw in some chocolate chips too... because who doesn't love chocolate?!

Rosh Chodesh-Good for the Soul

This week in Rosh Chodesh we focused on the idea of refuah shlemah, or the renewal of ourselves. We talked for a bit, and then temporarily dyed our hair, and made our own facemasks! The facemasks were super fun to make, but didn't taste so great! Ending the calendar year on a focus of ourselves and what we need as humans was great. Can't wait to see everyone after the new year!

-Alison

Rosh Hodesh 12/2

We are some of the members of the 6th grade Rosh Hodesh group. Last week in Rosh Hodesh we did yoga, colored, and talked about how to appreciate ourselves and our bodies. These are some ways to take care and not take care of your body.

How to take care of your body:

• eating healthy
• exercising
• good hygiene
• playing sports
• being positive about yourself 
• making yourself laugh and smile

Ways not to take take care of your body:

• being on the couch for the whole day
• eating too much of good stuff
• thinking negative thoughts

As Jews, we take care of our bodies because we are b'tzelem elohim, made in the image of God. We say blessings in the morning and at night as a way to say thanks for our bodies. Don't be negative, be positive- because you're you!

-GC, RG, SP, LP

Rosh Hodesh Runs for President!!

With the election just days away, the eighth grade Rosh Chodesh group took on political issues! We discussed our opinions and ideas about the different questions that are going to be on the Massachusetts ballot this year, and figured out where we stand on the political spectrum. These ladies are very well-versed on the topics of the upcoming election. Check out the photo above of our newest presidential candidate, Rosh Hodesh!

-Alison