Women’s Evening of Inspiration

by Shoshanna Silcove

Melbourne’s Women in Unity held its eighth successful event this past Tuesday night since its establishment in response to the Mumbai tragedy. The commitment to the unity of the Jewish people that originally galvanized its founders, Rebbetzins Riva Cohen, Sara Gutnick, and Miriam Telsner, set the tone for this unique evening. Two hundred and fifty women from various Jewish communities gathered in the Caulfield Shule hall. Promoted as an evening of “Reflection & Inspiration” the event was dedicated to the memory of Leiby Kletzky. The audience was regaled with profound Torah thoughts from a dozen different women representing various communities.

The event was opened by chairperson Mrs. Michelle Feiglin who alluded to the story of Yosef HaTzadik. She pointed out that the story ended with achdus among all the brothers and, that Klal Yisroel recently experienced a similar achdus during the Leiby Kletzky tragedy. ‘Leiby was everyone’s child, ‘she said as she introduced a moving video featuring an interview with singer Lipa Shmeltzer about Leiby’s short life.

After the video, one by one, each of the twelve speakers stood up in her place from different positions among the audience and conveyed her short ‘burst of inspiration.’ Interspersed between these short talks were Mrs. Rishi Feiglin’s musical interludes, as she played guitar and sang songs relating to the themes of Elul and Tishrei. This format was engaging and captivating, as it made the audience feel as if they were not merely spectators but also participants. “It felt almost theatrical, and I was enjoying it so much that the time just flew by in a flash!” one woman was heard commenting. Another one felt “that sometimes it is easier to absorb a short message than a lengthy speech”.

The first ‘burst of inspiration’ came from Mrs. Sheva Slodowitz who spoke about the difference in relating to Hashem in Nisan and Tishrei highlighting the relationship we have with Hashem as our Father in Heaven.

Mrs. Mindy Weisner’s inspirational thought began when she held up a toy of wheels as a prop demonstrating how one small movement on one wheel moved all of them. This is to remind us of the idea of how even the smallest act of teshuva can have far reaching consequences on past, present and future.

Mrs. Vicky Kennard spoke about the power of tefillah. She shared how now that her children are older she can daven in shul with a minyan appreciating being able to focus on her conversation with Hashem.

Mrs. Mina Lederberger, having just observed her mother’s first yartzeit, told of her memories of her walks to shule with her mother. The conversations from those walks inspire her to this day.

Mrs. Chanie Morozow conveyed the concept of our avodah of crowning Hashem as our King. Hashem wants us to make requests of him and the shofar awakens Hashem’s desire to bring new light into the world.

Rebbetzin Rivkah Groner spoke of the Haftorah we read on Rosh Hashana. There Chana is praying for a child and this comes after the Torah reading about the miraculous birth of Yitzchak. In the same vein our generation is the miraculous rebirth of a people after the Holocaust.

Mrs. Judy Kantor told a moving emotional story of a broken hearted man looking for a glimmer of hope at the Kotel, and how a friendly warm greeting from an old acquaintance lifted him from his despair.

Rebbetzin Sharon Goodhardt expressed how her work as a teacher for challenged children helps her to see Hashem’s presence among her students, colleagues and the parents.

Mrs. Brigetta Paneth described her rewarding work visiting the elderly. She urged others to take on this precious mitzvah.

Mrs. Lianne Rosen quoted a pasuk from Eicha and explained how we need to do teshuva for our mitzvos as well as our aveiras. This teaches us to make certain we do our mitzvos with “soul” – kavannah.

Mrs. Amanda Danby shared how a renewed year also has meaning for a renewed life for her personally as a Jew. She spoke about the potential of this special time for creating a new year with a new light and new opportunities.

Last but not least, Mrs. Ita Broh said she sees Rosh Hashana shofar blowing as an alarm clock to awaken us and that sometimes only a cry can express what words cannot.

The program concluded with a medley of “Leshono Habo’oh beYerushalayim” led by Rishi and a draw of raffles, whose prizes ranged from gift vouchers to beautiful kitchen ware to food hampers generously donated by community businesses.

The Grand Prize was the Possuk ‘Hamaloch hago’el” in Leiby’s Torah. Proceeds from this event went towards this Torah dedicated to the memory of Leiby Kletzky and many women availed themselves of the opportunity to participate in this Torah by purchasing letters and words.

The MC Michelle Feiglin wrapped up the evening highlighting the teaching of the Rambam that love is powerful and that we should never miss an opportunity to express it.