Women from all Over Europe Gather in London for Weekend of Inspiration

A woman’s place in Judaism

The Gala Banquet in Southgate, London on Monday November 27th was the climax of a three day women’s European Convention to mark 20 successful years of Beis Chana, the Jewish Women and Girls Centre in Stamford Hill, which is a division of Lubavitch Neshei uBnos Chabad.

Encompassing women from all backgrounds and ages, from all over Europe, including Belgium, France, Holland, Sweden, Switzerland and Slovakia they were brought to this country by their respective Shluchim. They were greeted by champagne cocktails. The dining room was suitably adorned for the occasion with green and cream satin draping throughout. Over 350 women and girls had come for a night rich in top dining cuisine and spiritual enlightenment.

More in the Extended Article.

The head table was orchestrated by the chair and co-organiser Mrs Toebe Potash, who outlined the numerous successful projects in which the government is in partnership with Lubavitch. These are paving the way as pilot schemes throughout the UK.

Mrs Freidel Sudak spoke of the importance of constant learning in order to bring the warmth of Torah to oneself, the family, and the world around us. “It is especially important nowadays for women to be knowledgeable of the light of Chassidus and all that it can achieve. As we meet all the opportunities around us, we must use them for the good.”

The honoured guest of the evening was MP and Her Majesty’s Minister for Women, Meg Munn. She told the gathering that she was pleased to be at the event celebrating the success of a project which assists so many Jewish women. “I share the centre’s wish to provide an environment in which women can make real choices, and I appreciate the exceptional work you have done and continue to do.”

A short, video, specifically made for the evening, featuring much of the work that Beis Chana has achieved in the Jewish Community was received well by the audience.

The evening’s keynote speaker Chana Weisberg, from Toronto, addressed through a series of soul piercing and humorous anecdotes about marriage and hashgocho protis. There was barely a dry eye in the audience.
The weekend convention also featured a number of inspiring multi faceted workshops and well-attended shuirim, focusing on the many roles of the Jewish woman. Key themes addressed were, Finding Inspiration for Myself, Bringing Inspiration to Home and Family, and the Community, Facing the Challenges of the Professional and Business World, and preparing the World for Moshiach. A ‘Hands On’ Creative Woman Expo and Resource Fare Completed the programme.

Emissaries were received by their respective Ambassadors and received pledges of support for Jewish life in the countries in which they work.

Co-organizers, Mrs Rochel Bernstein and Mrs Toebe Potash, said that they were delighted with the Positive response to the project. “It was a real joy to see so many women attending in such a wonderfully warm atmosphere,” commented Mrs Potash. They are hoping the invitation will be reciprocated with a convention in Europe in the near future.

One delegate from Antwerp said, “I feel very inspired. I am going back to Antwerp to make more programmes and encourage women to be more involved in growing in Yiddishkeit.”

Souvenirs presented to each attendee at the evening included a beautiful large book outlining the history of Lubavitch women.

Other souvenirs were the many new insights on life shared by the participants, the bonds that were forged, the tears that flowed and the profound questions that were posed and put to rest.