Two hundred and fifty women sat facing a glorious sunset at
the seaside in Bat Yam, singing the "Lecho Dodi" to welcome
the Shabbos Queen into their midst. They had traveled from
all parts of Israel to spend a long Shabbos weekend together.
Religious women from all circles and corners of Israel,
ranging in age from 20 to 70-plus, they shared one situation
in their lives: widowhood. Some had been recently widowed in
the various suicide bombings in Israel or from other personal
tragedies while others had coped with widowhood for many long
years. From arrival time on Thursday through a gala Melave
Malka on motzaei Shabbos, the women rejoiced in each
other's company. Singing and dancing, inspiring and
entertaining divrei Torah and various talks and
activities melded the individuals into a beautiful and united
group.
The Shabbos getaway travels to different locations through
Israel and is interspersed with year-round shiurim and
gatherings for the women, plus occasional trips abroad for
longer periods of time.
The women relax in the ambience of a lovely hotel, knowing
that their children are home-cared for by family and extended
family. They have time for themselves and time to forge
meaningful ties with other women. Success breeds success and
the crew who organizes this convention gets every last detail
down pat in a marvelous and relaxed fashion.
Greeting the arrival of the buses is a group of hostesses.
Each woman receives a full convention packet, refreshments,
reading matter and gifts for the children left at home. The
weekend is a marvel of organization undertaken by Rebbetzin
Raizel Rottenberg of Beit Shemesh. Rebbetzin Rottenberg is
the daughter of the Toldos Aharon rebbe shlita, raised
with tremendous ahavas Yisroel and a strong sense of
responsibility to the Klal. A dynamic, warm woman, she
welcomes every guest personally and takes care of everyone's
needs. Amazingly, she is on a first name basis with every
guest. When asked how she does it, she counters, "Would I
forget my sister's name?"
The entire event is a vibrant celebration of the beauty of
Yiddishkeit. The Rebbetzin thinks positive in the deepest
sense and has created a network based on love for Hashem,
love for fellow-person and joy. Starting with a small core of
women, she now has several hundred widows in her group. The
women get together on a steady basis, including an occasional
retreat to a hotel in Israel or Europe for a long weekend.
Lifetime friendships are forged between women of all ages, in
a relaxing atmosphere of comfort and togetherness.
The climax of this beautiful Shabbos, where zemiros
were sung and divrei Torah chizuk offered is a
melave Malka where women sing, dance and rejoice with
one another against the beat of lively music. One recent
weekend culminated past midnight with resounding, repeated
choruses of, "Tehei hasho'o hazos..."
The women return home elevated and energized for the weeks to
come, to cope besimcha -- until the next gathering.
For more information, speak to Leah Weisman at the
Yated main office: 03-617-0800.
