Wednesday: Women’s Unity Event

From the COLlive Inbox:

Having expected an evening of small talk at a lchaim, I was surprised when Leah said hello to me and then launched into an actual conversation.

“We want to do something for our classmate’s baby,” she told me. “Can I count on you to help?”

“Um, of course,” I responded, because I had no leeway to gracefully refuse. “What do you need me to do?”

She was planning an event. A huge event, in Razag Ballroom, with a party planner, singer, catered food and in collaboration with Mrs. Sara Blau and Nshei Chabad. Leah was spearheading it all.

“Wow,” I said, stunned. This was more than forwarding a name for Tehillim or donating to a campaign. And it was fitting for this classmate, who had in high school sent out a weekly dvar Torah l’ilui nishmas her friend’s parent.

“The thing is,” said Leah, “Why do we wait for something bad to happen before we unite? We need to be proactive. We can’t wait for the next sad thing. We need to just end this galus, right now.”

“Sure,” I said, because that’s the thing to say.

Leah was serious. This would be a Yud Tes Kislev gathering, but it would also unite the community and bring Moshiach. She had written a letter to the Igros and received an incredible answer. She believed the united forces of women coming together as a community could achieve powerful results.

Her eyes were shining. Her voice was determined, her chin set, her whole body language confident. I was literally getting chills as she spoke.

“Honestly,” she confided, “I just want this to be that baby’s seudas hoda’ah.”

And then she asked me who the guest speaker should be.

“Are you kidding me?” I said. “You don’t need another cliched speaker. Get up there and just say exactly what you’ve been telling me for the last five minutes.”

In the face of her conviction, how could I not also believe? How could I not do my tiny part to enable the fruition of her vision?

How could we not all?

I share this with you so you know the story behind the flyer that you may have already seen, possibly forwarded without reading, and might not consider attending. It’s not just another event. It’s deeply personal to many people, as it should be personal to you, because we all ultimately want the same thing, and it’s about time we get it.

Please show up. Show up to support. To unite. To just maybe (why not?) actually bring Moshiach.

Also, you have to hear Leah’s story in person.

Come to Razag on Wednesday night at 8pm for a catered Yom Tov meal and a program, that includes a workshop by Mrs. Sara Blau, a song and dance presentation by talented women of Crown Heights and for the launching of Project Community!