100 Girls Gather In the Heights

By COLlive staff

Nearly 100 girls braved the inclement weather last month to attend Mrs. Tzameret Borevitz‘s thought-provoking yet practical talk: “Being the best we can be; Going beyond our limitations,” while enjoying the sushi and refreshments.

The ambiance was warm and welcoming where everyone had a pleasant time and the opportunity to mingle with friends and meet new ones.

“Feedback was excitingly positive and heartwarming,” said Chavah’le Aronow, one of the organizers on behalf of In the Heights, a new organization for single young women in Crown Heights, providing social and and learning opportunities.

In her talk, Borevitz analyzed the four elements of Water, Fire, Dust and Wind, and their associations with one’s personalities and characteristics.

Explaining how to counteract these ingrained factors to which one is accustomed, she described how to harness one’s qualities and attributes and truly become the best person one can be.

Here is a synopsis of her talk:

Afar (dust): Exposes one’s laziness while preventing one from the drive to accomplish that which we ought to be doing in preference of remaining in the comfort zone of everything which is convenient for the moment.

Wind, or movement, is necessary to counteract the state of AFAR. Simply begin doing, without much time to think, and propel yourself beyond the limitations you’ve placed upon yourself. By stepping out of your comfort zone and doing that which is not yet familiar and/or comfortable, you will accomplish more than you ever imagined possible. (For example: If you are shy, try mingling among a group of people you don’t yet know)

Aish (fire): Can breed resentment by allowing one to sustain one’s anger at the boiling point far beyond anything reasonable, fueling its growth to the point that stunts one’s ability to advance in life.

Water, which flows, is peaceful and calming, can be used to counteract these inhibitions. Conjure loving thoughts in your mind and be benevolent in situations when you would not be ordinarily. Behave kindly and forgivingly towards the persons who keep your blood boiling. This will permeate you with a surprising ease and calmness that will allow you to be the most productive.

Ruach (wind): The human conscience: The mind is a powerful tool which can also be wielded to hinder one’s ability to move forward. Ruach contributes to fear of failures, worrying, and unnecessarily rethinking past and future possible situations. The negative aspects of Ruach can often be paralyzing: completely stunting a person from advancing and taking necessary steps towards progress and/or success.

Afar corresponds to and can remedy RUACH. Afar keeps us grounded and in the present. By focusing on the here and now, and what we need to do as opposed to what’s going to be, we may have the ability to leave fear of failure behind, and take the plunge towards advancement.

Water, in it’s calming essence has the ability to keep a person in one’s comfort zone, resulting in a lack of motivation and/or interest. Water, constantly flowing, wants quick results without struggle or effort.

Fire on the other hand, is constantly boiling, or moving and directs its attention upwards. If by nature, one is a “water” personality, focus on the aspect of fire which strives to do improve, rise and be better. So even when results are long in coming, one should endeavor to keep advancing and progressing.

After explaining the 4 elements, Mrs. Borevitz continued by giving practical suggestions on how to actually achieve these goals and peppered her informative talk with inspirational and stories. As always, the attendees were captivated by Mrs. Borevitz’s every word and were pleased to have attended.

In addition, another project arranged and carried out by “In The Heights” was a Matzah Campaign, acting on the Rebbe’s call to provide all Jews an opportunity to celebrate Pesach.

Young Crown Heights girls distributed matzah to approximately 111 unaffiliated people, thank to the generous donations and with the help of Mrs. Chana Morosow.

Their next event will be a Lag BaOmer concert, to be held at Bais Levi Yitzchok on Albany and Crown Street, on Motzoei Shabbos – April 27.

To join and be ‘in the know’, check them out on Facebook.