N’shei U’Bnos Chabad Gathered In 770

Ohr L’Chof Hey Elul N’shei U’Bnos Chabad sat downstairs in 770 for their yearly pre-Rosh Hashana Farbrengen.

Mrs Sara Tova Best graciously chaired the evening.

Rabbi Yossi Paltiel skillfully developed the concept of the commandment to ask Hashem for what we need. “It is not that we have the option, but that it is an obligation for us to approach Hashem and to ask,” he said. But he cautioned, we are not to put Hashem on a schedule. We are to ask and He will find the way to bestow the Brochas upon us.

In addition to mentioning the importance Tshuva and a Cheshbon HaNefesh, Rabbi Paltiel spoke about making resolutions. He explained that it is important to take on a resolution that one knows he can fulfill. In some cases that might mean taking on something for a limited amount of time. “Hashem wants us to succeed,” he said. “Once you succeed, you will make another resolution and another.”

Mrs. Best made a suggestion – which she said she had heard from a Mashpia – to smile more often. She briefly spoke about the power of a smile to elevate the one who is smiling and the one who is smiled at.

The second speaker was Mrs. Yehudis Piamenta from Kfar Chabad. She told the women about the Farbrengens which the women of Kfar Chabad have been hosting for the women of Gush Katif. “No one thought the Disengagement would really happen,” said Mrs. Piamenta, “It was mind boggling, but it did happen.”

Women in Kfar Chabad felt something had to change. They had a deep need to do something to ease the pain, sorrow and frustration of the women from Gush Katif. Mrs. Piamenta told how the Farbrengen project started with a grand event on Chof Beis Shvat that drew 250 women and how more intimate follow up Farbrengens are now happening every month.

Before coming to speak at 770, Mrs. Piamenta spoke with Mrs. Tzipporah Kirshenzaft, who said, “Tell the women we started small but we are growing. Yud Aleph Nissan we had 25 women. Chai Elul we had 45! The women are going through hard times, it is not easy for them to come out. Yet, everyone who comes to one Farbrengen returns to the next one.”

Next on the program was a video of the Rebbe speaking about Elul and Rosh Hashana. As the video showed the Rebbe walking out of 770, the sound track was drowned out by the sound of the men singing Yechi on the other side of the Mechitza.

The highlight of the evening was a visit to the Rebbe’s room. Mrs. Chana Popack single handedly directed the ebb and flow of the many women and girls who took this opportunity to feel close to the Rebbe.