Photos: Chana Levine and Nechama Kotlarsky
They showed up.
Cold rainy weather did not stop over 900 Crown Heights women, young and old, from descending on the Oholei Torah ballroom for the Junior N’Shei and N’Shei Chabad International Hakhel event. They came to partake in one of the 58 hakhels hosted by a N’shei Chabad on Purim Katan.
Apparently it was an event not to be missed.
After signing a pan – note to the Rebbe, the first four hundred women received a free door prize, an umbrella with the International Hakhel Event logo printed on it.
Upon entering the hall, the melodious sounds of niggunim filled the air by the famed duo Dana Pestun and Shoshana Michel (www.shoshanamusic.com).
Mrs. Mina Sputz introduced Mrs. Chaya Seema Friedman who led the crowd with reciting the Rebbe’s Kapitel and tehilim for Eretz Yirael. After giving tzedaka the evening opened with a short film produced by Junior N’Shei on the current situation in Israel as well as a powerful and calming and very relevant words of the Rebbe excerpted from a Lag B’aomer parade: “We have the unique privilege to help our brothers and sisters in Eretz Yisrael each time we study an additional verse of Torah, not missing an opportunity to do a mitzvah, Ahavas Yisrael and influencing friends to do the same.”
Rabbi Nissan Dovid Dubov, flown in special for the occasion, had the crowd captivated as he discussed three Jewish women, and the mitzvahs they personified.
These mitzvahs are connected with additional protection for the Jewish people.
Video: Full speech by Rabbi Nissan Dovid Dubov
The evening ended off with uplifting music by former Broadway star Caroline Cohen who was flown in from London for the event. Women danced and sang along to her heartfelt singing.
The energy in the room was positive and uplifting. Hundreds of women have taken upon themselves a hachalata in the z’chus of the safety of our brothers and sisters in Eretz Yisrael, thus ensuring that they are being covered by the women of Crown Heights!
A whatsapp group has been established for women who have committed to hosting or arranging a Hakhel, for use as a forum to share ideas of how to have a successful Hakhel. To join the group please email [email protected] for details.
If you attended the evening, please take a minute to fill out a brief survey. Feedback allows us to improve our programs. http://goo.gl/forms/WSqo7eoEt1
To financially participate in the hakel, please send a donation via paypal to email address: [email protected]. All sponsors will be included in duch to the Rebbe.
Thank you to our evening sponsors:
Mikvah Mei Chaya Mushka
Bais Shmuel
ל”נ דבורה בת אברהם
Merkaz Anash
COLlive
N’Shei Chabad
ל”נ שרה הדס בת שמואל
Special thanks to:
Mrs. Devoiry Rainiz
Mrs. Miriam Laufer
Mrs. Debby Jerufi
Mrs. Chanel Lipsker
Mrs. Chani Miller
Rabbi Levi Feigenson
Miss Hindy Goldstein
Mrs. Miriam Sherr
Rabbi Elkanah Shmotkin
7th grade of Bnos Menachem
Bnos Menachem dorm
Mivtza Neshek
Mrs. Batya Brandel
71st and 77th Precinct
Excellent speech!!!!
What we all needed to hear.
Thank you for posting this.
Thank you to all the organisers of this wonderful event!
I was counting the days for this speech to go up I really enjoyed it thank you so much for posting it
THank you JN. its been a long time since i was at such an inspiring event!
Looked very lovely.
bs”d
“Kol kevuda bas melech pnima:”
Bravo, Miriam & Malka Michla!! You should have continued health & strength to do all of your holy work, bringing achdus & the light of chassidus to Nshei Chabad!
so proud to have been part of it. it was truly historical!
So happy his speech is avail to all!
TY JN and COL!
So beautiful – Where can we download the booklet??