First Menstruation

Many Jewish women recall being slapped across the face by their mothers when they began to menstruate. Whatever the explanation of this ritual, it has surely outlived its usefulness, if ever it had any. The question which confronts us today is how, in a religion filled with blessings, do we find a blessing for this momentous but largely unrecognized occasion?

Some women have answered this question by creating elaborate ceremonies for their daughters which they celebrated among female friends. Others have felt that such a ritual would be far too embarrassing for the already-shy adolescent. They have devised more private mother-daughter moments. Both can be found in this section of ritualwell.

Photo by Rabbi Roni Handler

New Rituals for the Onset of Menstruation

Article

A set of suggestions for creating a Jewish celebration of menarche [more]

Found In: First Menstruation

As My Daughter Bleeds, So Do I

By Valerie Root Wolpe | Poem

A poem about a daughter's onset of menses at the same time as her mother, the poet, begins menopause [more]

Found In: First Menstruation, Menopause

Crescent Tambourine

By Judith Chalmer and Fran Solin | Ritual Component

A tambourine ritual for the onset of menses [more]

Found In: First Menstruation

From Developing Girl to Changing Woman

By Diann L. Neu | Complete Ceremony

A ritual for a girl's first period. Includes a circle of names, blessings, candle-lighting, and gift-giving. Ritual objects include a tambourine, red ribbons, a decorative egg, a ring, candles, and red fruits. [more]

Found In: First Menstruation

Enter: A Woman

By Phyllis Berman | Complete Ceremony

A moonlit ceremony on the shores of a brook. Celebrates the entrance of a daughter into womanhood. Includes songs, book-giving, adapted tashlich ritual, and blessings. [more]

Found In: First Menstruation

Tags: kiddush, shehekheyanu , tashlikh

New Moon–First Moon Celebration: Welcoming Daughters into the Circle of Women

By Shonna Husbands-Hankin | Complete Ceremony

A description of a menarche ceremony created by a woman for her daughter [more]

Found In: First Menstruation

Ritual of Welcoming Bodily Change

By Rabbi Goldie Milgram | Complete Ceremony

A private ritual to honor a girl's entrance into womanhood. Includes rainwater bubble bath, blessings, and teachings on sexual health and well-being. [more]

First Menstruation

New Rituals for the Onset of Menstruation

Article

Found In: First Menstruation

As My Daughter Bleeds, So Do I

By Valerie Root Wolpe | Poem

Found In: First Menstruation, Menopause

Crescent Tambourine

By Judith Chalmer and Fran Solin | Ritual Component

Found In: First Menstruation

From Developing Girl to Changing Woman

By Diann L. Neu | Complete Ceremony

Found In: First Menstruation

Enter: A Woman

By Phyllis Berman | Complete Ceremony

Found In: First Menstruation

Tags: kiddush, shehekheyanu , tashlikh

New Moon–First Moon Celebration: Welcoming Daughters into the Circle of Women

By Shonna Husbands-Hankin | Complete Ceremony

Found In: First Menstruation

Ritual of Welcoming Bodily Change

By Rabbi Goldie Milgram | Complete Ceremony

Found In: First Menstruation

Tags: mikveh

A Yemenite Menarche Ritual

By Alana Suskin | Ritual Component

Found In: First Menstruation