If every cloud has a silver lining, an online event this past Thursday was certainly a positive outcome from the challenging times we live in.
Close to 200 women from across Asia – spanning 4 time zones and over 6,000 kilometers – joined an online celebration in honor of Rosh Chodesh Elul.
“Standing As One” was jointly organized by local Chabad Shuchos and certainly achieved the goal of uniting diverse women in an unprecedented way.
“While it is very unclear how the holidays will be celebrated this year, one thing is 100% certain: As the sun sets on Friday, September 18, the new year of 5781 will begin. It is up to us to determine how we will approach the year ahead,” was one of the messages relayed during the evening.
The goal of this event was to set the tone for a year of positive thinking and renewed commitment so that, come what may, we start the New Year with our right foot forward.
On the program were presentations by Shluchos, women serving in leadership roles in Israel’s Embassies and Consulates in Asia and other community members.
Other highlights of this hour-long event were a moving video presentation of women reminiscing about their grandmothers, an emotional video featuring Shluchos from around Asia and their children lighting Shabbat candles and the stirring musical performance of singer Yafush Barkhan from Israel. The evening culminated with Hafrashat Challah and heartfelt prayer for those in need.
“Great event. Especially during such difficult times. Thank you for arranging!” was one comment which echoed many others that came in from many of the participants.
The Shluchos of Asia are already discussing other programs to bring together the small pockets of Jewish women living in this part of the world.
VIDEO: For women and girls
would love to see the continuation of this marvelous program