In honor of Rosh Chodesh Iyar, the Rebbe’s 122 birthday and the first yahrzeit of Lucy Dee and her two daughters Maya and Rena HYD, we share with you two events of Chabad Talbiya, Jerusalem’s Women’s Circle from the past year. We believe that these inspiring events can strengthen hope and Emunah during these trying times as they have for the attendees of the Chabad Talbiya’s Women’s Circle.
The event honoring Lucy Dee HY”D and daughters, Maia HY”D and Rena HY”D, with key note speaker Michal Oshman:
As event organizers well know, all the intricate, time consuming, labor intensive and best thought out plans cannot guarantee a successful event. The anxiety for the organizers is constant. The sleepless nights wondering -is it the right venue, right time, will the staff be efficient, is it the right demographic of guests, too many, too few, will people turn up despite concurrent events or unpredictable weather, and will the guest artists or speakers live up to expectations? Even when all these factors reach 100%, the most important ingredient is the human element, the vibe between the guests and the audience. When all this happens, it is rare, but when it does happen, the impact of the event becomes other worldly, spiritual, and unforgettable.
Such events took place at the Lucy Dee HY”D and the Gimmel Tamuz event this past summer, with much סייעתא דשמיא. The first event was organized in loving memory of Lucy Dee HY”D and two daughters, Maia HY”D and Rena HY”D (childhood friend of Chabad Shlicha Chanie Canterman), who were so cruelly murdered during last Chol Hamoed Pesach. Her husband, Rabbi Dee, his parents, and daughter were present.
The evening opened with the world renowned Oxana Yablonskaya, acclaimed pianist and alumnus professor of the Julliard Music College. After her spectacular performance, she was joined by the young Meir Zeevi Canterman, who sang one of the Chabad Niggunim that Lucy HY”D used to hear at Meir Zeevi’s grandparent’s Shabbat table, where Lucy HY”D, in her childhood, experienced many Shabbatot of joy and Chizuk. His recital of the Lecha Dodi had the audience of close to 300 women rise to their feet with their rousing applause.
Rabbi Lee’s opening words moved an entire crowd to tears and astonishment, as his staunch Bitachon in Hashem and Chizuk to the crowd resonated with his profound message. Rabbi Lee beautifully expressed the idea of one, shared Jewish soul. All the Jews in the world are connected by one Nefesh, which is why we feel and stand by each other during times of sorrow, pain, and joy. Therefore, when a Jew does a good deed L’Iluy Nishmat a Jew who has passed away, that does not only elevate the Niftar, but also elevates the one who did the good deed. We are all connected, and will always be connected by this special Nefesh.
Fleur Hassan Nahoum, Jerusalem’s Deputy Mayor, followed Rabbi Dee’s words and spoke about Jerusalem, it’s spirituality, and the unity of the people. Chaya Kogan sang her popular and beloved song called “The Gift.” Her inspiring, beautiful voice had the young girls in the audience up and dancing during her subsequent, upbeat songs.
Key note speaker of the evening was Michal Oshman, author of the book “What Would You Do if You Weren’t Afraid?” This was her second time speaking to Jerusalem’s Anglo women, after which people were clamoring for her to speak and return to a wider audience. Michal spoke about her personal challenges through life and how she came to understand that she could overcome many of her fears and insecurities through the learning of Torah texts and delving into the secrets of the Taanya.
Michal’s openness and honesty in recounting her many challenges in life had most of the women wiping away tears, as she was also clearly not afraid to share her deeply felt emotions. In so many ways, and on so many levels, one could relate to her doubts and feel elated with her achievements. They were almost one’s own.
Michal Oshman presented the Dee family with a painting called “Nekudat Halev,” by the artist Igal Fadida, representing the heart of Lucy HY”D that was donated by the Dee family moments after Lucy passed away. This heart gave life to a woman who struggled to find a new heart. This led into a dialogue that was totally spontaneous between Michal and Rabbi Dee, and it had the audience enrapt. There was an atmosphere of closeness between speakers and listeners. They were all a part of this exchange, sharing fears, sorrows, and also strengths.
The program had gone way over-time, but many people took the opportunity to speak to the guests if honor individually, offering comfort to the Dee family and requesting signed copies of Michal’s book.
The fact the people still speak about this evening reaches a new benchmark for the Chabad Talbiya Mamilla Women’s Circle, which hopes to excite its group with continued special events this coming year.
Compiled Clip – Find Your Waze:
Rabbi Dee’s Speech:
MZ Canterman:
Fleur Hassan – Nahoum:
Michal Oshman:
Oxana Yablonskaya:
Playing Schubert Liszt:
Auf dem Wasser zu singen:
A taste of ‘Swan Lake’ :
Gimmmel Tammuz Event with Mrs. Shaindy Jacobson:
The second event was a tribute to the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s Yartzeit on Gimmel Tammuz. Key note speaker who flew in especially for this even was Mrs. Shaindy Jacobson, director of the Rosh Chodesh Society at JLI Institute and popular speaker and educator. Shaindy enthralled the crowd with first hand stories of the Rebbe that so accurately encapsulated the crowd with renewed strength and commitment to the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s marching orders.
Honored guest was Mrs. Vera Rosen-Zippel, who stunned her listeners with first-time shared stories of her family’s close relationship with the Rebbe that spanned more than four decades. Vera showed letters where the Rebbe communicated with her when she was a teenager, expressing interest in her life and offering sage-fatherly advice regarding her dilemmas.
Singer Nirit Hotoveli and pianist, Katia Chepelev, brought the women to tears with heart-warming renditions of select Nigunim of the Rebbe.
The impact of both the above events is impossible to fully describe in words. It will be left to the clips and the pictures to do the rest. Chabad Women Circle of Talbiya Mamilla wishes Klal Yisrael a Gmar Chatima Tova and a year filled with overflowing blessings of every kind for all of Am Yisrael. May this year usher in the immediate and final redemption.
Compiled clip:
Shaindy Jacobson:
Vera Zippel Rosen:
Where is this?
Most incredible shluchim!!!
Incredible!
Chanie
You are incredible, keep making The Rebbe proud