by Sara Liba Beer
Five years ago, Michal Weiss was looking for a way to make her Elul preparation and reflection more meaningful. It was at that time that she first encountered and began using Rabbi Simon Jacobson‘s 60 Days: The Spiritual Guide to the High Holidays.
As she discovered how useful the text could be in spiritually preparing for the chagim, Weiss introduced it to friends. The second Elul, she and several others attempted to complete the 60 Days book as a group. Over time, however, it became evident that perhaps an added level of motivation would be helpful in guiding participants through the entirety of the Elul and Tishrei season.
Weiss and her husband, Sharon Weiss, are the directors of Living Chassidus, a “home away from home” community dedicated to addressing the material and spiritual needs of women living in Crown Heights.
Two years ago, the group launched its first ever formal 60 Days program. Participants were challenged to complete the full book. While the ultimate goal was a spiritually elevated Tishrei, it was helped along with fun incentives: biweekly prizes for anyone who completed the weekly quota, and farbrengens with inspiring speakers.
The program was a hit, with about 30 women participating and many completing the entire program. The following year, the program doubled in size and had to be moved to a larger venue. About 40 Crown Heights women participated, while another 20 tuned in from out of town.
This year’s program is scheduled to kick off on Thursday, August 9. At this first event, the program structure and incentives will be explained, copies of 60 Days will be sold at a discounted price, and participants will receive a beautiful Living Chassidus journal in which to record their thoughts throughout the program. The women will then have a group farbrengen about the meaning of Elul and how to approach it.
Past participants are already looking forward to the coming program. “The Living Chassidus 60 Days program really brings Elul and Tishrei into focus,” said one participant who will be taking part for her third year. “Could I learn through the book on my own? Sure, but doing it with a group keeps you accountable and makes sure you don’t fall behind. And the farbrengens along the way add an extra dimension to my preparations.”
Additional farbrengens will take place throughout Elul and Tishrei, with exciting speakers to be announced soon. The dates for the farbrengens are as follows:
Thursday, August 23
Thursday, September 6
Thursday, September 13
Thursday, October 11
All events will be held at Machon L’Yahadus (825 Eastern Parkway) unless otherwise announced. Doors open at 7:45, with the program beginning promptly at 8:00. All events will be streamed live for out of town participants. The cost to participate is $36 through August 7, $50 thereafter.* To register, go to http://www.livingchassidus.org/60Days.
Living Chassidus co-director Michal Weiss is thrilled to watch the 60 Days program grow. “It has been such an inspiration to see the vast amount of women taking Elul and Tishrei preparations with such a real and introspective approach to truly connecting to Hashem. Living Chassidus sees the need for our noshim tzidkanios to stay connected and inspired. And these women are changing the world for the good, Baruch Hashem.”
In that vein, she and husband Sharon hope to build on and expand Living Chassidus’s other programs as well. Current programs include shiurim and farbrengens, communal activities such as potluck break-fasts and summer barbecues, and more.
Anyone who is interested in supporting the 60 Days program or other Living Chassidus programming can do so by visiting http://www.livingchassidus.org/donate. Any amount is welcome, and in addition to general donations, it is possible to sponsor a prize or farbrengen in honor of whatever the donor wishes.
For more information, visit LivingChassidus.org or email [email protected].
*Out of town participants will be asked to cover the cost of shipping for any prizes earned.
Photos of 60 Days events from previous years.
OMG, I am so proud of you!! What a daughter in law!! Only heavens could send you to us…. Well done Michal
Yasher Koach!
-Your Proud Father and community in Alabama!
Your programs are amazing.
The Shabbos program is my favorite. Please continue polishing our gems.
Everyone please at least sign up to their Shabbos program:
https://livingchassidus.org/shabbosgems/shabbosgems-hostsignup/
I love this. Thank you Michal!!
Yasher koach!!