Women Gather for Itchke’s Shtiebel Pre-Chanukah Event

This past Motzei Shabbos, on the coldest night of the year so far, many women braved the icy wind and gathered at the Maple Street Shul, otherwise known as the home of Itchke’s Shtiebel, to mark Yud Tes and Chof Kislev and to prepare for Chanukah with a women’s only Melave Malka.

It was the first such event for the shul, which has been growing steadily since gaining Rabbi Chaim Fogelman as its Rabbi and moving to the Maple Street location last year.

It was, in fact, Rabbi Fogelman’s initiative to suggest that the women of the shul make time for events of their own. “The men have so many events–weekly shiurim, farbrengens, etc.,” Rabbi Fogelman explained. “Women are integral to the success of our community and our shul, so I encouraged all the men to stay home and make sure their wives were able to attend.”

Sampling a beautiful buffet of treats including a hot cocoa bar, sushi, gourmet cheesecakes and pizza, the women took some time to enjoy spending time in the company of their fellow Shul members, many of whom they don’t see often, apart from Yom Tov.

Several Crown Heights businesses generously donated products to help make the night special: Pomodori Pizza donated the delicious Sicilian pizza; Sushi Spot delivered generous sushi trays; and Mr. Greens provided trays of fresh sliced vegetables and dips.

Addressing the crowd, Mrs. Fogelman connected the theme of the night’s event to Yud Tes Kislev a day earlier. “The Alter Rebbe taught that Chassidim are one family,” she said. “This is the beginning of making this shul into a community. Gathering the women together is an important part of connecting and becoming a family.”

The highlight of the evening was an inspiring speech by Mrs. Gitty Rappaport. Sharing her story of growing up in Borough Park and discovering the teachings of Chabad Chassidus as a teenager, Mrs. Rappaport was warm, engaging and thought-provoking. Coming, as she does, from a Chassidic family who could not be more frum and yet were deeply skeptical of her interest in Lubavitch, Mrs. Rappaport’s story emphasized the uniqueness of Chabad ideology and chassidus and was thus ideal food for thought for Yud Tes Kislev.

The highlight of the night was a visit by Parttery, an exciting new Crown Heights business that brings professional pottery painting to any location. Shaina Wolff, the founder of Parttery, brought a selection of plates and dishes, along with brushes, paint and equipment so each woman could paint her own piece, with Shaina standing by for assistance and to offer creative ideas. At the end of the night, the painted dishes were fired in a professional kiln, later to be returned to each participant for home use.

Bundling up and getting ready to brave the cold again at the end of the night, the women all agreed that events like this one are part of what make Itchke’s Shtiebel feel like it is their own. “In a neighborhood as Crown Heights, it can be hard to feel a sense of community,” shared Chana Zelda Weiss, a longtime member of the shul. “Even when you belong to a small shul, the women are often home with small children on Shabbos. Events like this give us a chance to get out and connect with other women, and to feel like we belong to our own small community.”

Between the delicious food, elegant decor, inspiring speech and entertaining activity, there is no question that all the women in attendance walked away rejuvenated and inspired.