Calendar

The Hebrew calendar is divided into 12 lunar months. Each one begins on Rosh Hodesh- the day when the new moon appears. It is shorter than the Gregorian calendar, which follows the solar year, by 11 days. Every so often (7 times in a 19 year cycle) an extra month is added to the Hebrew year so that the Jewish holidays fall in their appropriate season.

To learn about the months of the Jewish year and the calendar, click here. http://www.jewfaq.org/calendar.htm#Months

Cohen

A member of the priestly caste, a male descendant of Aaron. The first Aliyah is reserved for a Cohen, and in some synagogues, the Cohanim (plural) bless the congregation with the Priestly Benediction.