by LechuVnelcha | May 8, 2017 | Europe, Golders Green-London, LVN Events, LVN shiur, New LVN Branch
North West London has joined the Lechu V’Nelcha European scene, and what an opening night it was! Members of the NW London community had been expressing interest in joining the LVN global network for quite some time, but ultimately it was the untimely petirah of Suri Dubiner that impelled them to action. Initiated by our creative and hardworking volunteers, Bassheva Turkel, Bassi Freshwater and Shulamis Senderovitch, the LVN NW London branch eagerly began setting the stage for their inaugural event, which would be l’ilui nishmas Suri Dubiner, Sarah Chaya Bas Zeev Wolf, a”h, and timed to be on her sheloshim.
On Monday night, May 8, more than 80 girls assembled in the Ohel Dovid shul — the perfect location for this event and for the subsequent future weekly shiurim that are a key component of the LVN program. Mrs. Esther Pearlman, noted menaheles of Menorah High School and daughter of Rabbi Lord Jakobovits, zt”l, chaired the evening and began by welcoming everyone to a LVN evening they would long remember.
To give the girls a taste of what LVN is all about, they viewed a of LVN and Shabbatons around the world. To see girls just like themselves, on different continents, speaking different languages, in different locales, but all hearing the same message of aliyah and growth, truly resonated. Especially meaningful to those participants who were Gateshead seminary graduates was seeing Rabbi Todros Miller appear on the screen, addressing LVN members at their East Coast Shabbaton. It sparked their interest and drove home the feeling that the LVN ideal is universal; the thirst for knowledge and the Torah’s wisdom is relevant to every post-seminary girl, no matter where on the map she may find herself.
They heard the strong message emphasized by Harav Mattisyahu Salomon, shlita, Mashgiach of Bais Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, who described the vital necessity of Lechu V’Nelcha. “Lechu V’Nelcha is a wonderful project…upon which the future success of every Bais Yaakov depends…. It’s important. It’s vital. Without which I don’t think any girl can survive. And without which a family of bnei Torah will not be able to develop the way that the Bais Yaakov really wants them to develop….”
Rebbetzin Dinah Fink, founder and director of LVN, also sent her best wishes and brachos to this newest branch, highlighting the value of joining the weekly shiur on a consistent basis, and describing it as the best step to take in ensuring a solid hashkafic foundation.
The girls were then given the wonderful opportunity to hear from keynote speaker Rabbi Mendel Chissick, who spoke eloquently about the importance of having a safety net and anchor to maintain the principles so painstakingly achieved through their years in school and seminary. He expounded on the passuk, “Lechu v’nelcha b’ohr Hashem,” explaining that as bnos it is incumbent on us to stay within the ohr Hashem. Just as a person on a darkened street who is out of range of the light rays emanating from the lamppost has put himself in danger, so too if a bas Yisrael does not maintain exposure to the light of Torah, she is putting herself at spiritual risk.
In closing, Mrs. Esther Pearlman summed up: “LVN is your safety net!” And based on the feedback that LVN received, the participants apparently felt the same, having internalized the essence of the evening’s program. Comments included, “It was such an inspirational evening” and “Finally, LVN has come to London!”
The heart of the program is the weekly shiur, which is held every Monday night at the Ohel Dovid Shul in Golders Green at 8:30 p.m. The shiur is given by Rabbi Mendel Chissick.
The desire to maintain what was learned and absorbed in seminary is universal, and Lechu V’Nelcha enables the girls to do just that. So, come join post-seminary girls like yourself at a local branch near you, in an atmosphere that nurtures growth, warmth and real friendship. Because that, in a nutshell, is what LVN is all about!
Tzippy Zager
by LechuVnelcha | Mar 29, 2017 | LVN Events, LVN shiur
During her recent trip to Eretz Yisrael, Rebbetzin Dinah Fink, founder and director of the Lechu V’Nelcha post-seminary global network, had the privilege of visiting many popular seminaries. The purpose of the visit? To enlighten the seminary students about the LVN framework waiting for them upon their return to their homes around the world.
Today the challenges facing young women upon their return from their year in seminary are much stronger than they used to be. Thus, the need for the Lechu V’Nelcha program is very much apparent to them, their parents and their mechanchim. With the strong endorsement and encouragement of Gedolei Yisrael, including Hagaon Harav Aharon Leib Steinman, zt”l, vybl”c Harav Chaim Kanievsky, shlita, Harav Tuvia Weiss, shlita, and Harav Mattisyahu Salomon, shlita, Lechu V’Nelcha provides them with many much-appreciated avenues for continued growth and development, while also offering a built-in window for new friendships and relationships with like-minded girls of special caliber.
With over thirty branches spanning the globe, from Los Angeles to Toronto in North America, Gateshead, Switzerland, Belgium and Paris to name a few in Europe, and other locations such as Yerushalayim, Australia and South Africa, Lechu V’Nelcha has taken off in a way that few could have imagined. Lechu V’Nelcha offers something uniquely vital for every seminary graduate, a full menu of weekly shiurim, augmented by Chol Hamoed trips, exhilarating weekend retreats, inspirational Shabbatons and exciting social activities.
As Harav Mattisyahu Salomon, Mashgiach of Bais Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, stated when describing the necessity of Lechu V’Nelcha, “Lechu V’Nelcha is a wonderful project… which the future success of every Bais Yaakov will depend on… I think it sets a young lady on her feet in a way that seminary cannot do the job… It’s important! It’s vital! Without which, I don’t think any girl can survive. And without which a Torah home cannot develop the way that the Bais Yaakov really wants them to develop…”
Upon the recommendation of leading mechanchos in Eretz Yisroel, including Rebbetzin Bruria David and Rebbetzin Rina Tarshish, an exciting pre-Pesach program has been designed for all the seminary students returning home for Pesach. LVN branches world-wide, from Mexico to Minneapolis and beyond, have planned a special shiur to give seminary students a glimpse of what is waiting for them upon their return home at the close of their seminary year in Eretz Yisroel. Going to this shiur will give seminary girls the opportunity to take the first crucial step toward laying the groundwork for themselves upon their return home in June.
The desire to maintain that which was learned and absorbed in seminary is universal and Lechu V’Nelcha enables the girls to do just that. So, come join post-seminary girls like yourself, and be inspired for the upcoming yom tov, in an atmosphere that nurtures growth, warmth and real friendship. Because that, in a nutshell, is what LVN is all about!
Tzippy Zager
Lechu V’Nelcha is a global program for post-seminary girls worldwide, directed by Rebbetzin Dinah Fink. Each LVN branch has a framework of weekly shiurim given on a standard in line with their chinuch, delivered by the local marbitzei torah veyehadus. There are currently over 30 participating branches around the globe, with the goal of continued expansion to reach all post seminary girls worldwide. To hear weekly details about an existing LVN program in your neighborhood or to inquire about establishing a new branch, please call the LVN hotline at 718 480 0 LVN (586).
by LechuVnelcha | Mar 3, 2017 | Eretz Yisrael, LVN Shabbaton
LVN Yerushalayim, led by the highly esteemed Mrs. Miriam Mark, attracts English-speaking Israeli girls from all over Eretz Yisrael and they can say with pride that some of their participants travel further to their weekly shiur than any other branch. With girls coming from as far away as Beitar and Kiryat Sefer, their one-hour bus ride reflects their total commitment.
The third LVN Shabbaton in Eretz Yisrael was held March 3, in Komemiyus, under the devoted tutelage of Mrs. Mark. The girls catered and organized the entire weekend themselves and they planned a Shabbos that was incredible in its every detail and design. Like the experience of participants of LVN Shabbatons worldwide, the combination of the dynamic program and the camaraderie of like-minded peers gave the Yerushalayim participants a weekend they are sure to remember for a long time to come, and a motivational charge to stick to the core of LVN, the weekly shiur. “Bais Yaakov lechu v’nelcha b’ohr Hashem.”
Rabbi and Mrs. Ben Shalom from Yerushalayim joined the girls on their Shabbaton, providing an unending array of wisdom and insight on many issues relating to emunah, tefillah, Shabbos and overcoming daily challenges. Mrs. Faigy Ben Shalom is legendary for her shiurim that have a distinctive blend of depth and clarity, and she uplifted her listeners tremendously.
As one mother of a Yerushalayim LVN participant put it, “My daughter lives for her Lechu V’Nelcha, it gives her so much! It’s something that really enriches her whole life. Between the speakers, the activities and the Shabbatons, she feels like she’s found a new family! Friends that are so Torah-oriented and so positive. She comes back from the shiurim and especially the Shabbatons really inspired. She wants everyone to go there and she tries to spread the word…..”
+ Read About the 1st LVN Shabbaton in Eretz Yisrael!
by LechuVnelcha | Feb 10, 2017 | LVN Shabbaton, North America
Take a trip back in time, to a place of yesteryear. Come to Skvere, a hamlet that takes you back to bygone days, to the days of the shtetl, where life is lived on a different sphere. This past weekend, Parshas Beshalach – February 10, approximately 40 Lechu V’Nelcha girls from all over the tristate area and well beyond, including Denver, Boston and even Australia, had a most unique experience when they spent Shabbos with the wonderful people who make up the town called Skvere.
Friday afternoon, the girls arrived in New Square and were directed to the Community Room on Buchanan Lane. There they were greeted with toameha and beautiful welcome packages laden with treats and gifts, marking the start of a very memorable Shabbos indeed. They benefited from a shiur given by Mrs. Esther Baila Schwartz, who spoke beautifully about the importance of elevating each action with the intention of doing it l’shem shamayim. Doing any mitzvah with the proper thoughts automatically raises its value exponentially. The girls also took the opportunity in the hours before hadlakos neiros to visit the bais hakvaros and daven Mincha at the kvarim of the alter Skverer Rebbe and Rebbetzin, Rabbi and Rebbetzin Kaplan, and other tzadikim and tzidkanios of note.
After hadlakas neiros, they visited with Mrs. Holtzer, who gave them the historical background to shikun Skvere, where she is a resident of note, being that hers was the first in-town shidduch! The girls then had the special zechus to meet with the Skverer Rebbetzin, and each of them had the opportunity for personal gut Shabbos wishes.
The first Shabbos seudah was replete with delicious food and lovely zemiros, including a LVN trademark, “Kah Echsof.” After all the participants had the chance to introduce themselves, Rebbetzin Fink expounded on the three strands of this auspicious Shabbos – Shabbos Shira, Parshas Beshalach and Tu B’Shvat, tying it all together in her uniquely remarkable way. After the seduah, Mrs. Dina Breiny Smith inspired her listeners as she described her father’s incredible emunah and bitachon in the face of his tremendous nisyonos.
Going to the tish was the perfect way to end an amazing evening. Watching the Skverer Rebbe truly live Shabbos, each move a calculated action intended to elevate Shabbos to an entirely different level, brought home the message that we can enhance our lives spiritually with our every action.
Shabbos morning, after davening and participating in 14 (!) aufrufen k”ah, the girls returned to the community center for the second seudah, with another delicious menu and a thought-provoking dvar torah offered by Esther Naomi Horowitz. The girls also enjoyed hearing from Rebbetzin Fink about the meaning behind the Kel Adon tefillah. The message she imparted about the gadlus of Hashem, of how Hashem takes personal care of each and every one of us, resonated with all her listeners. She stressed the responsibility we have of focusing on our internal growth, since the Borei Olam values internal, rather than external success. The highlight of the seudah was the Tu B’Shvat feast, where everyone made sure to taste 15 fruits, daven the 15 Shir Hamaalos, and use the power of the yom to daven to be zoche to their own peiros, im yirtze Hashem.
Another beautiful shiur was given by Mrs. Danziger, who discussed the value of doing mitzvos with simcha. She explained that the time of Mashiach is called ikvesah d’mashicha, which aptly describes our generation, where we unfortunately no longer fully utilize our minds or hearts when serving Hashem, but DO have the ability to use our feet, to really “walk the walk.”
Everyone then enjoyed a new twist on Broken Telephone, with the added bonus of getting to know one another, where each girl transmitted three pieces of information about themselves to their neighbor, with the final message being clues for the others to identify the girl being described. Then the classic Lechu V’Nelcha card game entertained one and all.
Following shalosh seudos, they headed to Tinkel Tish, where they had the chance to share a time of hisbodidus with the Rebbe and his devoted chassidim, who end Shabbos together each week on a truly high spiritual note. The darkened bais medrash is lit up at the close of Shabbos, a symbolic message of darkness in galus leading toward the glow of geulah, heartening and inspiring everyone who was lucky enough to be there.
After havdalah, the girls had a relaxing interlude, where they painted pottery and enjoyed the buffet-style melaveh malkah. But the climax of the Shabbaton was yet to come – the zechus to meet with the Skverer Rebbe himself. The Rebbe spoke to them warmly, encouraging them to be mechazek themselves specifically in the area of tznius in machshava. He then made a donation to LVN, and gave all the Shabbaton participants a bracha to be zoche to build their own bayis ne’eman.
One can’t discuss a Shabbos in Skvere without making special mention of the hostesses and the unbelievable way in which they extended themselves to ensure that their guests were as comfortable as possible. Whether it was the constant offer of delicacies to tempt the palate, the beautiful accommodations so graciously prepared, or the warmth and the ready smiles with which they did it all, everything about Skvere hachnosas orchim speaks volumes about their total dedication to the performance of the mitzvah.
A Shabbos such as the one experienced by the girls of LVN in Skvere is one that is overflowing with memories and inspiration, each one a treasure, sure to give the participants much motivation to keep striving, to keep endeavoring, to give nachas to Avinu Shebashamayim. And that is the trademark result of a Lechu V’Nelcha event!
Tzippy Zager
by LechuVnelcha | Jan 23, 2017 | Los Angeles, LVN Events, LVN shiur, North America
A special thank you to our dedicated volunteers Chanale Cohen, Devorah Shirken and Ita Rosen for coordinating a most beautiful Lechu V’Nelcha ‘Dinner Event’ in Los Angeles.
Rebbetzin Dinah Fink flew in to direct the event and the girls were tremendously uplifted with her warm words of chizuk and inspiration whilst enjoying the stunning variety of dishes prepared and receiving a special Lechu V’Nelcha gift.
The coordinators put in hours of work and heart into creating a memorable event that was a huge chizuk for all participants. May the Eibershter repay you for all your efforts and kindness with an abundance of brachah and hatzlachah both in your personal life as well as in your avodas hakodesh.
