A Project of NCFJE: Open Doors

A few months ago, Rabbi Shea Hecht, of NCFJE, started a weekly Torah Study and Relationships Class for post-high school single girls at NCFJE headquarters in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. The classes were an opportunity for the girls to continue their Torah study though their formal study years were over. Over time Rabbi Hecht began to notice that a different need was not being met for these girls. Being that these girls live in the city, where people easily blend in, there was no way for them to meet other girls with similar needs within the community.

From its inception NCFJE has been filling a void when they see one and this time was no different. Rabbi Hecht launched a new project – Project Open Doors.

Now the staff of NCFJE/Open Doors not only offers Torah classes, but has also dedicated themselves to helping young ladies further their career, network for job opportunities and find suitable marriage partners.

Towards this end it was decided that a great way to help the girls meet each other on a more informal basis was to organize a Shabbaton. A Shabbaton would allow the girls to meet and mingle with other girls like them. The Shabbaton will also give the girls an opportunity to meet women of the Crown Heights community who will come give workshops and discuss issues that are applicable to religious single girls living in a city setting.

This Friday night, March 31, 2006, will be the first get together at Esther’s on Albany Avenue in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. The Shabbaton is open to all post-high school single girls under the age of 30. The suggested donation is $25.00.

Open Doors is setting up a parallel boys program headed by Rabbi Boruch Dean.

For more information on this project or to register for this Friday night call 718-735-0213 or e-mail rachel4rabbishea@aol.com or baruchd@optonline.net