What do Alaska, Jerusalem, Saratoga Springs, NY and San Diego have in common?
All four places were the sight of speakers on the Jewish Girls Unite Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan Unity call on Sunday, October 18.
From around the world, girls united online to be inspired, to learn, to sing and to dance. Speaking from the farthest corner of the United States–Anchorage, Alaska–Jewish Girls Unite [JGU] co-founder Nechama Laber, (who lives in NY), taught the girls about the circle of candle lighting and the beautiful impact of lights shining from sea to sea. JGU Global Strategy Advisor, Susan Axelrod, spoke from upstate New York about the benefits of all Jews coming together as one community in love and acceptance. She encouraged the girls to go out in their own communities and share that love and acceptance and connection with others.
From her home in Jerusalem, with an honest truth, Rebbetzin Tap, Kerry Bar Cohn , explained the difficult and dangerous situation facing Israel but with the greatest smile she said, “We never give up”! We stand up and we dance and from across the world girls followed her steps and danced to the music Am Echod – One nation! This lesson reminded us that even with tears in our eyes, we can still sing, dance and move forward.
Sarah Dennis, a high school student from San Diego, CA read her own beautiful submission for the JGU Candle lighting contest [. She is a student in the Jewish Girls Unite class online and has recently become the founding Editor-in-Chief of the JGU Editorial Board, a group of more than 30 girls from around the country who are writing/editing/submitting articles, poems, recipes, crafts, photographs and videos online. About JGU Sarah says: “It feels so great to be a part of this community that offers me a place for my Jewish voice. I didn’t feel I had that where I live and I’m ecstatic to have found it in JGU.”
The final presenter was also from Israel, Anya Kabanovsky. Born in Ukraine but sitting in her home in Israel, she sang in Hebrew about G-d always guarding our nation in times of trouble and inspired our girls to have faith.
This astounding mix of creative Jewish energy comes together regularly in Jewish Girls Unite, an online global movement created from a partnership between Strategic Consultant, Susan Axelrod, Jewish Girls Retreat Directors, Rabbi & Nechama Laber, Web Designer, Leah Caras (formerly of YALDAH magazine) and Director of room613.net, Rabbi Yosef Resnick. They are joining together to help sustain Judaism by empowering our Jewish daughters to become Jewish mothers; shine their inner light and use their unique talents to change the world.
The next Rosh Chodesh Unity Celebration will take place this Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015 at 2pm ET. The ten winners for the candle lighting writing contest will be announced.
Chaya Serraf will sing songs of strength from Israel and Leah Aliza Lee, the mother of a JGU member from Detroit will sing Shabbat songs from the heart. Jewish girls from around the world will storm the heavens and pray for peace in Israel.
Mrs. Esther Sternberg, Director of the Lubavitch Women’s Candle Lighting Campaign, will congratulate the girls who entered the contest and share her memories of the Candle Lighting Contest in 1979.
To join the virtual celebration, become a member (for free) at www.JewishGirlsUnite.com.
A new weekly Leadership class for teens began November 5th called Mirror Reflections, Seeing Beyond Skin Deep to Your Real Self. The Beyond Bat Mitzvah, Unlocking the Treasures of Jewish Womanhood. class for girls age 8 to 13 is ongoing weekly and all are welcome to join anytime time.
East America time? (as in NY)
or is it East time (as in the east)?
Nechama Dina, you are amazing!! I remember the first year working in your camp…..how amazing it was…It grew each year after with leaps and bounds! Continue having tremendous hatzlacha, and inspiring everyone! Next year your camp should be in Yerushalayim with Moshiach NOW!!