CrownHeights.info and the Avner Institute is pleased to present a beautiful collection of photos from the N'shei Chabad Jewish Women's Convention, Iyar 25, 1990. To learn more about the Rebbe Visit www.Portraitofaleader.org
Special thanks to Rabbi Yossi Lew and The Rebbe Archive for the pictures.
Photos: Jewish Women’s Convention, 1990
CrownHeights.info and the Avner Institute is pleased to present a beautiful collection of photos from the N’shei Chabad Jewish Women’s Convention, Iyar 25, 1990. To learn more about the Rebbe Visit www.Portraitofaleader.org
Special thanks to Rabbi Yossi Lew and The Rebbe Archive for the pictures.
The convention is held in the summer, usually in June (in the weeks before or after Shavuot), and was traditionally addressed by the Rebbe. In general, the Rebbe addressed the women three times a year: 1) At the convention; 2) in an address to the graduating class of Beis Rivkah, as well as counselors going to summer camp; and 3) during the week prior to Rosh Hashanah.
In this Sichah, the Rebbe discussed the Sefirah of that day, “Yesod Sheb’yesod,” explaining its message to the Jewish woman, who is the “Yesod,” foundation, of the home – a role greatly emphasized in the days of preparation leading up to the Giving of the Torah on Shavuos, for the women were given precedence in the Giving of the Torah.
The Rebbe also discussed the weekly Torah portion, Behar, in which the Jewish people are instructed to observe the Mitzvah of Shemitah (Sabbatical Year) as soon as they enter the Holy Land. This teaches us that the first focus of the Jewish land – and the Jewish home – should be the tranquil sanctity of Shabbos. In this also, the women take precedence, for (a) they bring Shabbos into the home by lighting the Shabbos candles; and (b) it is traditionally the women who prepare the special Shabbos foods.
One year, the women baked a cake in the shape of a Sefer Torah. The cake was placed on the Rebbe’s table, a little to the left of his place – obviously positioned for the Rebbe to take with him.
As the Rebbe rose to leave after delivering his address, he paused and gazed at the cake. The crowd hesitatingly awaited his reaction. Then, in a moving display, the Rebbe lifted the cake, performing a mock “hagbah” (traditional raising of the Torah scroll for the congregation to see, before replacing it on the dais). The entire hall broke out in spontaneous applause – and the Rebbe immediately joined in; the crowd continued clapping until the Rebbe had exited the synagogue.
A similar story took place at the following year’s convention, when the women prepared a flower arrangement – and this time, the Rebbe took the whole arrangement with him.
In the picture, the Rebbe is looking at a presentation created by the women of Neshei Chabah, expressing the theme of that year’s convention – “Vechol Bonayich,” how Torah and Mitzvos bring ultimate peace to the world.
Guess What-s Missing
I guess they didn’t need “yechi” signs back then.
Why ?
to: guess-whats-missing,
Congratulations. You have further contributed to the unending strife, and lack of unity in our community. Why would you bring up something that is completely irrelevant? This article is a tribute to the Rebbe, and has nothing to do with the individual beliefs of people today. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and beliefs- and the fact that you feel the need to “deface” an article solely based on the Rebbe’s greatness is unfortunate. Your comment is proof that “sinas chinam” needs no cause, and is not limited to a time or place. well done, i am sure the Rebbe has nachas from you.
dallas jew
why???? because the poster is right? look how menchilickeit the shul looks without any of the annoying color war signs. How sad and boy do we miss those days.
Why ?
Does the Yechi debate need to be dragged into every picture and article about the Rebbe ? Perhaps in the spirit of unity in accordance with the Rebbe’s teachings, each “side” should turn the cheek on the “faults and flaws” of others. EVERYONE IS ENTITLED TO THEIR OWN BELIEFS. And yes, you may not like the signs, but to someone else it represents something, perhaps hope… So knowing this, maybe…just maybe…we can stop thinking about ourselves, and our personal dogma and accommodate each other… on every wall there is enough room for two opinions to coexist. As Jews, We don’t all have the same “minhagim,” but we all share that inalienable G-Dly spark, live and let live. The Beis Hamikdash was destroyed due to sinas chinam…THE HOUSE OF GOD…. how much more so, in our fragile times, where our enemies wish to destroy us. We must avoid conflict with our brothers.
REPLY TO WHY...
The issue is NOT if someone feels that yechi should or should not be said. The issue is rather if you have the courage and a solid TRUE chassidisher upbringing to understand what a Rebbe is and how to relate to him.
For true chassidim – to believe in and relate to the Rebbe is NOT a minhog, it is NOT a matter of opinion nor is it optional for chassidim to believe in a Rebbe. If you are a chossid then you believe COMPLETELY in every aspect of the Rebbe you are a chossid of. The Rebbe believes, follows and relates to the frierdiker Rebbe EXACTLY the same way prior and post yud shevat 5710. If you can’t bring yourself to accept this – based on countless sichos, maamorim, igros kodesh etc. etc. Then, you really also have a problem with Moshe Rabeinu as well – was he not alive after being on a mountain for 40 days and 40 nights, without food and drink?
How was he able to be alive – notwithstanding the fact that according to all laws of human science he should have been dead?! The obvious answer is that a tzaddik is HIGHER than the world – even according to the greatest of scientific minds. Nu, so the Rebbe is R”L not as great a tzaddik as Moshe rabeinu?!?
Just because you can’t imagine anything above YOUR own little world – means everything else ceases to exist?!
twisted
ATT: Why ?
You, sir, have just proven your own point.
You were a great example.
Why ?
Dear Twisted,
If a tree falls in the Forrest and nobody hears it does it make a sound? That is pretty much the best way to summarize your comment.
To explain; I was commenting on initial unnecessary comment of “guess whats missing” regarding the yechi signs. Although I did bring up the issue, it is ONLY IN RESPONSE, and as a rebuke. Personally, i find your “well now your talking about it too” response as childish and lacking.
CROWN HEIGHTS ALWAYS
I was at the convention as a young girl and remember the rebbe “picking up the Torah” (not in actuality) and all the woman laughing at the sense of humor. It was truly a precious memory. I wish that everyone who was not raised in C.H. should appreciate and know what they are missing.
AS FOR THE YECHI SIGNS, THAT IS A TOTALY IMMATURUE STATEMENT. WE HAD THE REBBE B’GUF AND THINGS WERE DIFFERENT THEN. NOW WE JUST HAVETO FOLLOW WHAT THE REBBE TOUGHT US AND APPLY IT TO OUR LIVES.
NEXT TIME N’SHEI CHABAD MAKES A GATHERING, ALL WOMAN AND GIRLS SHOULD GO, THATS WHAT THE REBBE WANTS.