Hundreds of women and girls joined together last night at Lubavitcher Yeshiva for Machon L’Yahadus’ annual Boutique Auction, celebrating Rosh Chodesh Adar and the young women whose lives have been changed by the Rebbe, Chassidus and this special educational institution.
Nechamie Rabin chaired the event and her light-hearted style was a perfect intro to a night of inspiration and joy.
Rabbi Shloma Majeski, principal of Machon L’Yahadus, opened the evening with an explanation of the women’s contribution to the Mishkan of the mirrors and how that can be actualized in our lives today.
Three students, representing the diversity of backgrounds, cultures and journeys of Machon L’Yahadus students, each briefly spoke.
Liron Arahami from Maslul, Israel, wanted to go home as soon as she heard about the war. Her father and brother were fighting in Beeri and Ofakim when she spoke to her mother after Yom Tov. Her mother insisted that she remain at Machon L’Yahadus and that her studying would “help Am Yisrael.”
Amy Liat Levin from Edgeware, England, fell in love with Chassidus after spending a summer at Mayanot in Jerusalem. She continued her studies at Machon Alte and then came to Machon L’Yahadus. Amy Liat said that even her eight-year-old brother has benefitted from her being a Machon L’Yahadus student; teachers are always generous with their time and available to answers his questions that come up as he also grows in his Jewish observance.
Leah Ferdman, from Vinnytsia, Ukraine, is a second-year student at Machon L’Yahadus. She enthusiastically explained that she has learned to implement into her life the Rebbe Maharash’s allegory of the man who is carrying a heavy sack up a mountain only to find out that it is full of diamonds. “Remember, our perspective is everything,” concluded Leah. “All the beauty comes from our minds.”
The keynote speaker was Miriam Racquel Feldman. She captivated the audience with the highlights of her five-year journey from hippy to chasid and marrying her husband who had been her college boyfriend. Miriam Racquel is a Somatic Healer, Marriage Coach and Trauma & Anxiety Specialist. Her book “G-d Said What?!” tells the full-length version of her journey, including all of the twists and turns – and is a Gold Winner Non-Fiction Book Award.
Musical entertainment suitable to the simcha of Adar featuring instrumentals opened the evening and was also a highlight of the program itself. Saxophonist and alum Sarah Avigayil (Baum) Kossevitzky came on stage after a video about her Jewish journey and together with pianist Mirele Rosenberger and percussionist Yael Kane played an original jazz version of “VaYehi B’Ymei Achashveirosh.”
The delicious dairy buffet was set up beautifully by event designer Tziporah Hahn.
All of the current students of Machon L’Yahadus, as well as many recent alumnae and staff, were working before and during the event to help assure its success. They were directed by a team that co-ordinated the entire Boutique Auction which included Miriam Goldberg, Rivkah Luchins, Mirale Lazaroff, Hudy Lipsker and Yehudis Cohen.
Machon L’Yahadus would like to express heartfelt thanks and appreciation to each of the auction participants for their steadfast support of a cause so close to the Rebbe’s heart! You can still partner with Machon L’Yahadus at www.rayze.it/machonauction/
Machon L’Yahadus is under the auspices of NCFJE.
Mazal Tov to all of the winners!
Grand Prize: A Dollar from the Rebbe: Bella Goldstein
Itta Wig: Chaya Cohen
Split the Pot Winner:
Chaya Sarah Cantor
Gold Prize Winners:
$1,280 at Tzfasman Jewelers: Chaya Greenberg
$1,200 Cash: Nechamy Rabin
A Color Palette Session with ColoredbySara: Yael Kane
$1,000 at Kirsh Jewelers: Simcha Baez
$1,000 at Everything But the Baby: RoRo
$1,000 at Elite Sterling: RSK Cohen
Exclusive Men’s Package: Sara Morris
Magnificent Diamond & Sapphire Ring: Rochel Frishman
Four Pairs of Glasses from See View Optical, up to a total of $1,200: Bonnie Rebold
$1,500 Tuition at Camp Emunah or BJJ Teen Camp: Casriel Brusowankin
Two Airline Tickets Anywhere in the US: Nechama Baras
Entry Prize Winners:
Prize #1 (Commissioned piece of art by Shira Rumann): Chana Brod
Prize #2 (A choice of art or woodworking workshop by Daniel Wolfe): Bassy Wilansky
Prize #3 (Ray Ban sunglasses): Miriam Gopin
If you have not yet claimed your prize, please reach out to Miriam Goldberg at 206-853-
7747 or at auction@womensyeshiva.org
Go Amy!!
Excellent speakers full of toichen and inspiration!
Continued hatzlacha