The third in the series of “A Celebration” events, “A Celebration of Femininity” was held on Wednesday night, 7 Iyar- May 7th at the Razag Hall.
Over 500 women turned up for the event, which was organized by Mrs. Leah Gurary, Mrs. Mina Sputz, Mrs. Sara Morozow, Mrs. Chanie Wolf, Junior N’shei and TBM Women’s Circle.
Thanks to the sponsorship of Mikvah Mei Chaya Mushka and local, generous vendors the event was free of charge. Nevertheless, participants were treated to the usual gift bag of refreshments as well as a collection of skin care items courtesy of Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa, and a booklet of the Rebbe’s responses on the topic of tznius, printed specially for this event.
Mrs. Rishe Majesky acted as the host for the evening, introducing and thanking speakers and sharing some short insights.
The first presenter of the evening was Mrs. Shaindel Schapiro of Hoboken, New Jersey who spoke about Yiddishe femininity as it applies to all of a woman’s relationships, both with Hashem and those around her. She was accompanied by a slideshow presentation with helpful diagrams and pictures to complement the concepts she introduced, as well as displayed the sources she used.
She introduced the concepts of Daas Torah and Daas Yehudis as the sources for many issues in halacha, clearly delineating the differences between them and how they impact our behavior today. She stressed that the higher standards in halacha pertaining to women were not invented by women looking to be more strict and create new prohibitions, rather it is about creating healthy guidelines to live by. Providing an interesting example about a children playing in a schoolyard, she explained that the lack of a clear wall or boundary, actually inhibits a person, making them unsure of the limits. However, when there is a defined boundary, one feels comfortable using the entire space within.
Following Mrs. Schapiro’s informative presentation, two cosmeticians from the Red Door Spa by Elizabeth Arden gave a presentation in which one performed a skin care treatment on an audience member while the other spoke about the essentials of skin care. With myriads of skin creams available, what’s the single most important product for your skin? “She drilled it into our heads,” said one participant laughingly, “moisturize your skin!”
“You women are constantly taking of others,” the speaker said. “Who is going to take care of you?” She explained how tension is held in the face, and how moisturizing helps relieve it.
The final segment of the evening was a question and answer session with Mrs. Morozow and Mrs. Wolf. Audience members submitted anonymous questions which the panelists addressed.
The organizers would like to thank the many people whose time and effort were invested in this program, as well as the very generous sponsorship of Mikvah Mei Chaya Mushka, Mr. Greens, Kingston Toys and Novelties, Apple Drugs and The Printhouse.
Download booklet of the Rebbe’s responses on the topic of tznius here.
As always, if anyone would like to join the Junior N’shei email list to be informed of future events, or become involved in Junior N’shei, please email [email protected].
Follow the WC on Facebook: The Beis Medrash Women’s Circle https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Beis-Medrash-Womens-Circle/160588880713887
just watched this video! awesome awesome awesome!
and very inspiring!
just wondering, how did you keep your accent so strong after all these years in america. Im jealous!
Shaindle I loved every second wow! very inspiring!!!!!!!!!!!
what a wonderful speaker. we need to see more of these kind
Really enjoyed the evening! The speaker was passionate, relatable and a natural. I really liked the PowerPoint too (even though it wasn’t working so well) it helped bring things down. How come it’s not part of the video?
Mrs Schapiro was so inspiring. She spoke so clearly and eloquently, was a pleasure to listen to, and from looking around the room seeing people so engaged, and then from the comments here, it seems like everyone felt the same.
No one is judging or labeling. We each have areas in which we can grow and improve and it is not for anyone to decide who is considered “Frum enough”. The Rebbe once told Mr. Chase at Dollars (when he asked if he could be considered a Chosid despite his lack of Chassidic appearance, “If a Jew endeavors to take a FURTHER STEP in the service of G-d, I am proud to consider him my Chosid.” It’s about which direction we are heading. At the same time, it is important to know the truth so that we know what we… Read more »
I don’t think anyone will judge anyone as to who is a ‘religious’ jew or not. we are all works in progress. we all strive to improve each day, never remaining stagnant in our observances. if we learned something new, then hopefully we can implement some or all of what we have learned, if not today, then next week, next year. i didnt follow this thread all way through but from what i understand, mishna is considered torah and yes, it would be considered halacha. but if one talks loshon hara and one is not so careful with maaser, we… Read more »
ACCORDING TO THE FEEDBACK, IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU DID A GREAT JOB. WHO KNOWS, MAYBE WE’LL BE BRINGING YOU BACK TO LONDON!!!
TOEBE POTASH
So are you suggesting that one who keeps the ACTUAL Halacha and not the stringency isn’t a religious Jew?
Mrs. Schapiro was a Lew from London, UK
the toichen of the speech was actually put together by Rabbi Zirkind a”h, mrs. sara morozow and mrs chani wolf. (as was originally presented to the shluchos at the kinus). Mrs shapiro did a remarkable job presenting it .
enjoyed it! Just wondering what Shaindel Schapiro’s maiden name is.
I really appreciate that COL gave us the opportunity to hear
Mrs. Shaindel Shapiro.
I think in the questions and answers sessions this question was brought up about adding. And it was explained that the rabbis are usually the ones to create fences for Halacha (that then become Halacha ) but with tzniyus, the refined women of the times had this power to make the fences (which became Halacha). This concept is in the mishna so it’s not just something that chabad or certain people took on recently. I don’t know if I’m coming across clearly. Perhaps col should have the speaker or one of the other panelists to explain it here for your… Read more »
Thank you for posting this. I was at the event and I enjoyed immensely. I’m excited to be able to watch it again as there were a lot of very beautiful concepts given over. I really enjoyed the speaker. She had a lot to offer and she presented it with clarity, with passion and yet it was delivered in a gentle way. Who is she (maiden name)?
The speaker was so poised and delivered the message so powerfully. Thank you Mrs. Schapiro. It was so down to earth and not preachy
The Q and A session changed my life too. Pity so many had left already…. it was spot-on
Mrs. Schapiro was so empowering! She changed my perspective tremendously and my marriage has already felt the benefits. i brought up some points with my husband and we made a very big positive hachlata together…..
Mina sputz!! Always helping the community!
I am so pleased to see this. I have been working with some community leaders toward making a similar event:
“Men’s Celebration of Masculinity”
please post the video of the questions and answers – we could all benefit!!!
Obviously I got that point. The nature/tone of the speeches suggested it was THE halacha, rather than a strigency. My point still stands. Whoever keeps the Halacha and not the stringency is still a religious Jew.
We’re not ADDING to halacha. We make GATES around halachos (as the rabbis have always done) because when something is valuable, we WANT to make sure that we don’t fall in this area. So since halacha says that the elbows have to be covered, the women decide NOT TO ENGAGE IN ACTIVITIES THAT will expose the elbows (which would breach halacha). so no new halachos were added, gates were just put into place.
Watched the video. Definitely good points! Just don’t like the black and white nature of this– not black and white Halacha– if everything was black and white like prohibition against eating pork– there wouldn’t be so much violations either. Don’t agree with adding to prohibitions– we already saw the danger when Chava added the prohibition against touching the apple.
I don’t usually go to these things but I am so glad that I did! Mrs Shapiro was so real, classy, humorous and she had the entire audience fully engaged. she made the topic of tzniyus, usually one that I, and many others, don’t want to hear about, beautiful and meaningful. it really changed my perspective and I hope that I can take her message and made some real changes. The questions and answer sessions was also wonderful and answered many important questions. every detail was so beautifully presented, down to the gift bags. thank you to all the organizers… Read more »
Chanie Wolf! Most amazing person ever!
This event was so beautiful. Its message timely and feminine. I loved how they had mrs Shapiro, young and spoke so familiar with today’s generation. See spoke eloquently and inspirational. Really changed my perspective. I am so happy that ch is offering these beautiful events. Thank you