By Susan Axelrod
Every blade of grass has an angel that bends over it and whispers, “Grow, grow.” [Talmud]
There are many angels helping grow the newest chapter for Jewish Girls Unite, the global online community for all Jewish girls. On Wednesday, March 1 at this year’s Global Shine Your Light Celebration, a perpetual Legacy of Light will be launched with the publication of the new book: One More Light. An anthology of creative writings by Jewish girls and women from around the world, this book about Shabbos Candle Lighting will be an inspirational catalyst to generations of girls and women.
The annual Jewish Girls Unite Global Shine Your Light celebration will be held at the Jewish Children’s Museum with a 7:00 pm dairy dinner buffet. Special guests in attendance will be this year’s honoree Miriam Yerushalmi of Brooklyn, NY, Event Founder Linda Schwartz from Irvine, CA, Honorary Event Chair Yocheved Daphna from the Five Towns, Bonnie Chavin from the Seymour Fox Foundation of Troy, NY and Chana Chakoff of Norfolk, Virginia.
The JGU Creative Educator’s Award will be given to Miriam Yerushalmi, a counselor for Sparks and educator, she has weekly classes that are posted on Torahanytime, Bais Midrash LeNashim U’Banos and Torah Cafe.
She writes for the Jewish press, is an author of three children’s books and is launching a prayer book this month with Rabbi Chaim Miller and a new book for children.
Since JGU’s inception, Miriam has freely shared her prolific educational and spiritual materials with JGU and she has been a guest presenter at retreats and online. She has worked extensively with children and their families creating outreach programs both in Israel and abroad to help being Jewish children together through Torah and good deeds. She uses dance, drama and the arts to teach Torah concepts to children.
About Jewish Girls Unite, Miriam said: “I’m so happy to be honored by this wonderful organization. Jewish Girls Unite is empowering girls and preventing so many problems later on that might require therapy or other interventions. I wish many of my clients had had access to this tremendous programming.”
Other honorees of the evening are three JGU Shining Stars…talented girls and young women who use their skills to help others. Chaviva Tarlow is the beloved Music Head for JGU and has been the Music Head for Jewish Girls Retreats, Summer and Winter. She is being honored for her continued commitment to bringing joy through music to JGU programs.
Devorah Serraf is being honored for her devotion to her campers and for growing as a leader–from a camper to a staff member–who stays in touch with Jewish girls year round through Tune In Time, a one-to-one mentoring program at camp. Chaviva and Devorah have become leaders through their involvement with JGU and freely and lovingly share their skills and talents with others.
Tani Minkowitz is a young woman with a mission to help others create a healthy lifestyle, a foundational value shared by JGU. Tani was a camper who returned as a teen counselor to JGR. She will share healthy Shabbos dessert ideas at the celebration. JGU is happy to give all three of these stellar young leaders a platform to empower others.
The entertainment for the evening will include music by Mirile Rosenberger, original Shabbos songs written for and commissioned by JGU and performed by young women and girls, including Chaviva and Devorah and the Impact band. We are proud to include girls from the children’s choir Chassidic Expressions under the direction of Chaviva.
A final special highlight of the evening will be the launch of a brand new song, composed by talented Singer/Songwriter Rivkah Leah Cylich. She was moved to compose the music to the words of the One More Light essay written by Thalia Hakin, OBM. This song is being produced by world renowned singer/songwriter Sam Glaser and will be sung by our Shining Stars at the end of the evening.
Tickets for this evening of inspiration and entertainment are still available by clicking here.
You can also sign up for global viewing. For questions or further information contact Nechama at: [email protected].
Miriam Yerushalmi is a true tzadeikes really dedicated her whole life for others a selfelss tzadeikes
Their is also a Torah being written in memory of Thalia at the request of her parent, https://hakintorah.com/