By Tzipah Wertheimer
On 19 Kislev, 50 women gathered for an unforgettable Shabbos near the Ohel.
Organized by Project Likkutei Sichos, these women were united by a shared passion: learning the Rebbe’s Torah.
Registration was so popular that one participant brought a folding bed in the trunk of her car just in case space ran out.
The Shabbaton idea blossomed from a weekly Zoom class led by Rivka Slonim of Binghamton, NY, as part of Project Likkutei Sichos. Over time, the class evolved into a tight-knit community with its own WhatsApp group and even an in-person farbrengen. “The bonds created through learning together grew so strong that a Shabbos gathering felt like the natural next step,” Slonim shared. “Registration filled up almost immediately, and we had to expand to find more accommodations.”
Menucha Minkowitz of Crown Heights keeps up her Seminary learning as a student at Batsheva Learning Center. “I joined the whatsapp group for the Monday sicha class last summer,” she shares, “when I heard about the Shabbaton I was so excited.” She grabbed her cousin Baila Gourarie of Postville IA and they scored two of the last beds.
Joannie Tansky, a great grandmother from Montreal, joined a van full of women on a seven-hour road trip down I-87. “This Shabbos was transformative,” Tansky reflected. “It brought together women from all backgrounds, united by a love of Judaism and learning.”
Participants settled into three rented houses on Friday afternoon. The official program began with candle lighting in the Home at the Ohel. Sarah Morozow of Crown Heights, shared insights and chassidic thoughts on Shabbos candles.
“I’m leaving on such a high,” shared Bluma Michaan of Brazil. “Every person’s experiences taught me something. It was a 25-hour immersive experience that left me feeling refreshed and strengthened.”
The first meal set the tone for the weekend, featuring a heartfelt conversation between Vivi Deren of Stamford, CT, and Tansky about their mutual love for the Rebbe’s Sichos. Deren spoke of her upbringing as the daughter of a rabbi in Nashville, while Tansky described growing up in a traditional home where Jewish holidays often coincided with hockey playoffs.
Deren was introduced to learning Sichos began as a ninth grader in Bais Rivka. “My teacher was Rebbetzin Hadokov…she dictated and we wrote. She taught us on Mondays, this was 1964 and the Monday that was 8 Tishrei was the day after Rebbetzin Chana’s Levaya. I’ll never forget this, she stood in front of the classroom and she couldn’t speak. She was crying and that made such a deep impression.” Deren explained that though she learned regularly throughout her life, the current Project Likkutei Sichos class has significantly helped her “find her footing,” especially in learning the Rebbe’s intricate analysis of Rashi,
Tansky shared, “how fortunate we are to be part of Chabad and in the Rebbe’s orbit.” She touched on the gift of “spending Shabbos with like-minded women who are serious about their Yiddishkeit, serious about learning and growing.”
The evening led into an all-night farbrengen, filled with deeply personal stories. Chaya Eigner of Montreal shared her journey from Satmar to Lubavitch. Jane Marcus reflected on how her admiration for her grandmother inspired her after a debilitating car accident. Sarah Alvesky of Cleveland described how she calls her mother—a great-grandmother—mid-lesson when she gets stuck on a Sicha, noting that her mother often knows the entire Sicha. From newly minted post-seminary girls to more great grandmothers, everyone found their place and the farbrengen continued until 2 a.m.
Shabbos morning began with a pre-davening chassidus class attended by nearly 30 women. “Each woman’s story inspired me,” says Chani Shemtov of Chicago. “It was incredible to see such a diverse group, united by a desire to connect to the Rebbe and Chassidus.” “I never would have dreamed of having had this opportunity,” Miri Rubin of Pittsburgh adds.
The day continued with discussions during lunch and a lively Q&A session featuring mothers and daughters. Rivka Brikman of Sea Gate shared her personal journey, encouraging everyone to share good news with the Rebbe before the group visited the Ohel on Motzei Shabbos.
The Shabbaton concluded with a grand Melave Malka, featuring Rivka Slonim as the keynote speaker. “Our Rebbe envisioned everyone—men, women, children, and elders—engaged in learning chassidus,” she declared, drawing applause when she added, “Out with recipes, in with the Sichos.” The event closed with stories, song, and dance led by Chaya Teldon of Commack, NY, leaving participants energized and inspired.
Ladies were gifted pearl necklaces donated by Mrs Julie Gniwisch of Delmar Jewelers as well as personalized mugs with the PLS logo and the words: Sleep. Sip. Sichos. sponsored by Vivi Deren in honor of her mother and mother in-law’s “models of lifelong learning”
Amanda Spiro of Montreal captioned the message of the mug perfectly: “😴 Sleep recharges you; ☕️ Coffee energizes you; 📖 Sichos transform you.”
This Shabbaton was not only a tribute to the power of learning Likkutei Sichos but also a testament to the women’s ability to lead the way in fostering connection and inspiration. The ripple effect of this transformative weekend is sure to inspire similar gatherings in the future.
PS there are many Project Likkutei Sichos classes and resources. Rivka Slonim teaches live at 10am on Zoom. Anyone is welcome to join https://projectlikkuteisichos.org/rivkyslonimlive/
