South Campus Celebrates the New Year for Animals
September 10, 2024 by
This year for the first time, MILTON celebrated the ancient holiday of Rosh Hashanah La’Behemot, the new year for animals. The celebration took place at South Campus last week.
September 10, 2024 by
This year for the first time, MILTON celebrated the ancient holiday of Rosh Hashanah La’Behemot, the new year for animals. The celebration took place at South Campus last week.
Rosh Hashanah La’Behemot traditionally falls on the first day of the Hebrew month of Elul, and is one of four Jewish New Year celebrations. The others are Tu Bishvat (the new year for trees), the first of Nisan (the start of the calendar year) and, of course, Rosh Hashanah. While it originated as a day for tithing and counting animals for tax purposes, Rosh Hashanah La’Behemot has evolved into a day for celebrating our many important relationships with animals, from pets to farm animals to wildlife.
On Wednesday, students learned about the holiday in their Judaic Studies classes. They reflected on their special relationships with the animals in their lives, learned new Hebrew words, and discussed how they could honor other animals around the world.
In Pre-K, Ms. Davis brought in her 51-year-old stuffed bear, Tedbear, for students to take care of throughout the week. Students also shared ways they care for their own animals. They talked about feeding them–some following the Jewish tradition of feeding their animals before themselves–petting them, feeding them, keeping them clean, and even giving meals to their stuffies!
The celebrations culminated on Friday, when students wore pajamas to school and brought their favorite stuffed animals. In classes, students introduced their animals to one another and learned Hebrew words for each one.
In a special Kabbalat Shabbat ceremony, Reb Scott led a discussion of the holiday and the importance of celebrating animals, and read aloud a book about Abraham Dee Bartlett, the creator of the modern zoo. Teachers performed a rousing rendition of Etze li Hashuka, a Hebrew song about animals at a market–all while dressed as a panda, a dog, a cat, a rooster, and a fish! Finally, Reb Scott led a blessing for the stuffed animals around the room while students placed their hands on their animals’ heads.
Rosh Hashanah La’Behemot isn’t traditionally celebrated at school—and, for that matter, hasn’t been celebrated in a significant way since ancient times. This school year, the High Holidays occur much later than usual, and there were many natural curricular tie-ins to our Hebrew and Judaics program where students are already learning words for animals. MILTON staff felt it was the perfect time to breathe new life into this holiday! They also wanted to seize the rare opportunity to celebrate it when it fell during the school year—something that won’t happen again until 2030, or when this year’s kindergarteners are in middle school. We’re looking forward to the next celebration in six years!
