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25 Sivan 5762 - June 5, 2002 | Mordecai Plaut, director Published Weekly
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Home and Family
Shabbos by the Sea
by L.M.W.

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.

 

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