My Hebrew Calendar Notebook: Heshvan

"My Hebrew Calendar Notebook: Heshvan" by Tessa Bloom offers a guided experience for children aged 8–12 to engage with the Hebrew month of Heshvan. The notebook encourages learners to document a specific month by recording civil dates, noting lunar phases and weather patterns, and identifying weekly Torah portions. Bloom’s methodology emphasizes distinguishing between observation and interpretation, employing a system that categorizes sources such as Torah, Midrash, history, Kabbalah, custom, and Halakha. For instance, the Flood narrative is presented as a sacred Torah story rather than a scientific account, and Rachel’s story is explored for textual reflection without making archaeological claims. The approach prioritizes factual engagement with Jewish tradition and encourages a nuanced understanding of its diverse components.

This resource includes activities such as setting up dates, tracking moon changes, maintaining a Heshvan weather log, and recording Torah portions. It also introduces source skills, inviting learners to identify different types of Jewish texts. The notebook features sections dedicated to studying Noah as a sacred narrative and reflecting on Rachel’s story. It provides insights into Sigd, identifying 29 Heshvan as an observance rooted in the Beta Israel community of Ethiopian Jewry and directing learners to attributed Ethiopian Jewish resources. It acknowledges variations in prayer calendars across different communities and denominations, prompting students to document their own local practices. The book incorporates prompts for drawing, short writing, data tables, vocabulary exercises, and open-ended questions, with intentional blank spaces to encourage further thought and exploration. Suggestions for accessibility are also included.