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Moving forward, all of our source sheets, and program ideas will live here!

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Jewish Holidays and Commemorations

Sigd: (Sunset Wed. Nov 19 – Sundown Thurs. Nov 20)

Sigd is an Ethiopian Jewish holiday celebrated on the 29th of Cheshvan, exactly 50 days after Yom Kippur. Sigd is about accepting the Torah and yearning for Israel and the Temple. Traditionally, members of the Beta Israel community fast on Sigd, read from their scriptures, recite psalms, and pray for the rebuilding of the Temple. The fast ends at midday with a feast and dancing. In Israel today, it is celebrated for an entire month leading up to the 29th of Cheshvan, and it is an opportunity to raise Ethiopian Jewish visibility and educate Israeli Jews about Beta Israel customs.

• 🧿 Watch a movie about the Beta Israel community and have a discussion
  • Ex. “The Fig Tree” directed by Aalam-Warqe Davidian available to watch for free via Tubi
• 📖 Explore resources from Naftali Aklum, Advocate for Ethiopian Jewry 
  • Consider watching one of his lectures or reaching out to collaborate
• 📖 Organize a local hike and learn about the Sigd mountain-climbing tradition 

Rosh Chodesh Kislev: (Sunset Thurs, Nov. 20- Sundown on Fri, Nov. 21)

Kislev or Chislev (Hebrew: כִּסְלֵו‎) is the third month of the civil year and the ninth month of the ecclesiastical year on the Hebrew calendar. Kislev has 30 days, but because of the Rosh Hashanah postponement rules, in some years it can lose a day to make the year a “short” year. Kislev is a month that occurs in November–December on the Gregorian calendar and is sometimes known as the month of dreams. Rosh Chodesh or Rosh Hodesh, is a minor holiday that occurs at the beginning of every month in the Hebrew calendar, marked by the birth of a new moon. 

• 🧿 Consider hosting an At the Well Rosh Chodesh Circle
• 🧿 Register for the Jewish Studio Projects Rosh Chodesh virtual art-making event on Sunday, November 9th
• 📖 Use the “Sweet Dreams Are Made of These” Jewish Dreams Exploration ready-to-go program to welcome Kislev, the month of dreams

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Torah Portions

Saturday, November 1^st: Parashat Lech-Lecha – “Go Forth”

In this Torah portion, God makes a covenant with Abram promising to make his descendants a great nation. God changes Abram’s name to Abraham. Abraham has a child with Hagar and names him Ishmael. God then promises Abraham’s barren wife, Sarah, that she will have a child. 

• 🧿 Take the command of “Lech-Lecha” seriously and venture outside of your Moishe House with Hitbodedut for Heshvan
• 🌱 Pair venturing outside with a hike and trail clean up  
• 🧿📖 Explore the role of blessings in Jewish tradition by hosting a “Blessing-Bee” (basically the equivalent of a spelling bee just with Hebrew blessings)
• 📖 Learn about Jewish names and host a name bestowment party where anyone who doesn’t yet have a Hebrew/Ritual Name can get one

Saturday, November 8^th: Parashat Vayera – “And He Appeared” 

In this Torah portion, three guests arrive at Abraham and Sarah’s tent. They inform Abraham that God will give the elderly Sarah a child. The prophesy comes true, and they name their son Isaac. God informs Abraham that Sodom and Gomorrah will be destroyed, though Abraham attempts to convince God otherwise. God tells Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. Abraham obliges but is told that it was a test of faith and offers a ram to sacrifice instead. 

• 🧿📖 Use verses from this week’s parashah to host a Torah-inspired mezuzah-making event with my ready-to-go program Signs Upon Our Doorposts
• 🧿📖🌱 Explore resources from the National Council of Jewish Women to inspire a program about Judaism and reproductive rights
• 🧿 In honor of Isaac, whose name means laughter, host a Jewish comedy movie night

Saturday, November 15^th: Parashat Chayyei Sarah – “The Life of Sarah” 

In this Torah portion, Sara dies at the age of 127. Abraham searches for a place to bury her and settles on Machpelah. Abraham searches for a wife for his son, Isaac. Abraham sends his servant to find a wife for Isaac. The servant meets Rebecca at a well, where she provides water for him and his camels. Abraham marries Keturah and has six more sons. He then dies at the age of 175. 

• 🧿📖 Or you could use verses from this week’s parashah to host a Torah-inspired mezuzah-making event with our ready-to-go program Signs Upon Our Doorposts
• 🌱📖 Clean a Jewish cemetery and learn about the symbols on Jewish gravestones
• 🧿 Play the role of Eliezer, Abraham’s servant who finds a wife for Isaac, and host a “You Should Date my Friend” night advertising your available friends’ Jewish values

Saturday, November 22^nd: Parashat Toldot – “Generations” 

Rebecca and Isaac have twins, the smooth-skinned Jacob, whom Rebecca favors, and the hairy Esau, who Isaac favors. After returning from a hunting trip, Esau asks his brother for some lentil soup, but Jacob tells him he must trade him his birthright. Years later, when Isaac is old and blind, Jacob tricks their father into giving him the firstborn blessing. Jacob leaves home, fearing his brother will retaliate, and finds a wife at his uncle Laban’s house. 

• 🧿 Still not over election season? Host a great Parashat Toldot Debate
• 📖🌱 Esau the Hunter: Learn about Jewish perspectives on firearms and gun violence prevention
• 📖 Jacob the Trickster: Attend a magic show and learn about other famous tricksters in Jewish tradition, like Harry Houdini, David Blaine, and David Copperfield

Saturday, November 29^th: Parashat Vayetzei – “And He Went Out” 

In this Torah portion, Jacob has a dream in which angels go up and down a ladder connecting earth to heaven. God appears before Jacob and renews the covenant that God had made with Abraham. Jacob sees Rachel, Laban’s daughter, tending sheep and wishes to marry her. Laban tricks Jacob into marrying his eldest daughter, Leah, after seven years of labor. In exchange for another seven years of work, Jacob is allowed to marry Rachel. Jacob has many sons with Leah, but Rachel is unable to conceive. Finally, God blesses Rachel, and she has a son, whom she names Joseph. 

• 📖 Use “Sweet Dreams Are Made of These”one of our ready-to-go programs to explore Jewish dream interpretation
• 🧿📖🌱 Explore resources from the National Council of Jewish Women to inspire a program about Judaism and reproductive rights
• 📖 This portion contains one of the most fascinating hapax legomena in the Torah. Explore this phenomenon of words which appear only once with a creative writing or painting activity

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Secular Celebrations and Remembrances

Native American Heritage Month

• 🫂 Often during calls and meetings, people will do land acknowledgements, however, do you really know the land you stand on. Look into the historical background of the “land” of which your House, Pod, or home is located on and what tribe it is associated with. Host a program speaking on the history of the land and the tribe. Enter your address HERE to learn more about your land.  

November 1st (Sa): National Author’s Day

• 🧿 Host a Blind Date with a Book event with books by Jewish authors
• 📖 Who wrote the Bible? Learn about the different origin theories and discuss the human in Torah 

November 2nd-8th: National Animal Shelter Week

• 🌱 Volunteer at your local animal shelter, walk/socialize animals from the shelter, make DIY dog toys and no-sew blankets and discuss this service learning  

November 3rd (Mo): National Sandwich Day

• 🌱 Host a sandwich-making party for a local foodbank or to give to unhoused people in your community 
• 📖 Learn about proto-Rabbi Hillel and enjoy his namesake sandwich while discussing his greatest mic-drops 
• 🧿 Visit a Jewish deli and learn about their history over some pastrami on rye 

November 5th (We): US Election Day

• 🧿 Politics are a big topic of debate, explore the idea of debate in the Torah with a Parashat Toldot Debate night

November 9th (Su): The Global Day of Jewish Learning

• 📖 Sponsored by Limmud North America, community centers and informal study groups around the world will host concurrent learning programs, joining together more than 10,000 Jews in collective study. The theme this year is 70 Faces of Torah! Registration and info can be found here.
  • Reach out to your JLS to help brainstorm a Jewish learning program that will fit your community!  

November 10th-16th: Recycling Week

• 🌱 Host a hard to recycle items collection program, invite a speaker to talk about local recycle programs, host an up-cycle program. Discuss this recycling Jewish service learning

November 11th (Tu): Veterans Day

• 🌱 Host a Jewish veteran or a Jewish military chaplain to speak with your community about their work; Write notes and make care packages for veterans; Volunteer with Jewish War Veterans  

November 11th (We): National Sundae Day

• 📖 Host an ice cream social and add a Jewish learning element with this source sheet on ice cream and Judaism 

November 12th (Th): National Chicken Soup for the Soul Day

• 🧿🌱 Use this ready to go Community Soup Kitchen program and make chicken soup for your community members. Learn how this small act helps embody the value of chesed (loving-kindness) 

November 13-20th: Transgender Awareness Week

• 🌱 Write notes to trans folks with Point of Pride and remind someone they are seen, supported, and valued. Full program guide here  
• 🌱 Join a local Trans Day of Remembrance ceremony 

November 14th (Fr): National Pickle Day

• 🧿 Host a pickling event and learn about the intersection of Judaism and pickling 

November 14th (Fr): World Diabetes Day

• 🫂 Host a program and discuss how diabetes affects marginal communities and the difference between type 1 and 2 diabetes. Food deserts are typically a large contributor to this factor and marginalized community live in these areas. See this link for more information.  

November 15th (Sa): National Philanthropy Day

• 🌱 Host a giving circle and learn about the power of donating money as a community group  
• 🌱 Learn about SparkIL, a new way of igniting Israeli entrepreneurship by helping to donate money to provide interest-free loans to Israelis. As the loan is paid back, you can reinvest in a new entrepreneur or keep the money

November 17th (Mo): National Homemade Bread Day

• 🧿 Make and freeze challah for the following Shabbat! And be sure to check out the ready to go program on how to lead a challah bake 
• 🌱 Bake (or buy) bread, and add to local community fridges  

November 17th (Mo): National Take a Hike Day

• 🧿 Go on a hike in your area and use our ready-to-go Hitbodedut for Heshvan program!  
• 🌱 Trail Clean Up – clean up a trail as you hike or join a local trail maintenance group. Learn about Leave No Trace values and Jewish values  

November 21st (Fr): Wicked Part 2: For Good Release Day

• 🫂📖 Host a screening for the movie, using the resource sheet to discuss Jewish themes in the movie 

November 23rd (Su): National Espresso Day

• 🧿 Explore the intersection between Judaism and coffee as you enjoy some caffeinated beverages at your local coffee shop or right in your MH living room 

November 27th (Th): US Thanksgiving Day

• 🧿🌱 Host a Friendsgiving: Moishe House Style with this ready to go program 
• 🌱 Participate in a charity run in your area 
• 🌱 Volunteer at a local food pantry or homeless shelter 

November 25th (Tu): International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

• 🫂🌱 Volunteer with a Women’s Shelter or Clinic or with an organization working to eliminate domestic violence or supporting survivors 
• 🌱 Write letters with Survived and Punished to criminalized survivors of domestic violence and sexual violence 

November 28th (Fr): Buy Nothing Day

• 🧿📖🌱 Host a clothing swap with your community. Use the program plan from last months Shabbat Shuva/Clothing Swap
  • Contact your JLS to talk about how to adapt the framing for the Torah learning element for your event 

November 28th (Fr): You’re Welcomegiving Day

• 🧿 Host a gratitude themed Shabbat meal the day after thanksgiving. Consider discussing ideas of gratitude in Judaism with this short activity 

November 30th (Su): National Mason Jar Day

• 🧿🌱 Do some pickling and learn about the intersection of Judaism and pickling. Or use this ready to go Community Soup Kitchen program send people home with jars of dry soup mix. If you can jar it, you can do it!

Compiled by Adira Rosen with contributions made by Adena Walker, Annie Prusky, Jessica Herrmann, and Rabbi Shari Shamah