by LechuVnelcha | Sep 18, 2016 | LVN Events, LVN shiur, Minneapolis, New LVN Branch, North America, South Bend
Lechu V’Nelcha has recently opened two new Midwest branches, one in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and one in South Bend, Indiana.
On Sunday, September 18, Rebbetzin Fink traveled to Minneapolis to launch this exciting new venture. Rebbetzin Suri Gibber, menaheles of Bais Yaakov High School of Minneapolis, explains why they brought Lechu V’Nelcha to their city. “Lechu V’Nelcha provides learning opportunities for post high-school and post-seminary girls, as well as venues for social interaction. We feel that this is very important for girls at this stage of their lives.
“At Bais Yaakov, we want to provide the opportunity for alumni to not only hold onto what they gained in high school, but to keep growing. Being part of the international network of Lechu V’Nelcha helps the students feel connected and part of something larger, part of a community of girls who are learning and accomplishing.”
While there had already been some learning opportunities for Bais Yaakov alumni in Minneapolis, the school felt the need to provide a more structured program, since more alumni than ever before had returned to Minneapolis this year. The school became aware of Lechu V’Nelcha after an article about the program appeared in Hamodia.
Mrs. Adina Cohen, events coordinator for Bais Yaakov, was asked to contact Rebbetzin Fink. Mrs. Cohen recalls that once they contacted Rebbetzin Fink, there was no turning back, as she was extremely excited about opening a branch in Minneapolis, and offered to fly out to Minneapolis to help launch the program. The Minneapolis program is unique in that Mrs. Cohen will be directing the program as part of a salaried position, rather than as a volunteer. This underscores Rebbetzin Gibber’s opinion that Lechu V’Nelcha is extremely vital to chinuch habanos, and that coordinating the program must be taken very seriously.
Plans for Lechu V’Nelcha in Minneapolis include weekly classes given by local speakers, and hopefully monthly social gatherings. Topics for the shiurim will include guidance on dealing with relevant issues, such as working in secular environments, teaching, or shidduchim. In addition, the girls hope to join national Lechu V’Nelcha Shabbatons when possible. As part of the Lechu V’Nelcha network, the girls can also access the hook-up to Rebbetzin Fink’s weekly shiur given in Brooklyn.
At the launch on Sunday, Rebbetzin Fink spoke to the girls about the importance of maintaining one’s she’ifos and inspiration, and staying “plugged in” spiritually. Whether in the workplace, in college, or when involved in shidduchim, it is crucial to maintain a connection. Rebbetzin Fink also emphasized the importance of using mentors and teachers to help guide one through this crucial period, and the significance of being part of a group that wants to grow together.
Later in the evening, Rebbetzin Fink addressed the women in Minneapolis, delivering divrei chizuk for Elul, at a gathering hosted by Mrs. Chashy Spar. Rebbetzin Fink spoke about evaluating what is really important to us, and encouraged the women to take on one kabbalah that will be “chok v’lo yaavor” – inviolate in our lives, something that we can do consistently, no matter what.
In addition to Minneapolis, a branch of Lechu V’Nelcha is starting in South Bend, Indiana. Spearheaded by Mrs. Rivky Lerman, principal of Bais Yaakov High School of South Bend, the program will feature weekly hook-ups to Rebbetzin Fink’s Brooklyn lecture, and hopefully, participation in national Shabbatons and other programs. As in Minneapolis, the South Bend girls are very excited about joining a larger network of post-seminary girls.
Mrs. Lerman relates, “Rebbetzin Fink has been very committed to helping us set up a new branch of Lechu V’Nelcha. As an out-of-town community, we appreciate every opportunity to stay connected. Lechu V’Nelcha is exceptional in the manner that they have reached out to us.”
For more information about a LVN branch near you, or to start a branch in your neighborhood, please call the info-line at 718-4- 800-LVN (586) or email Lvnglobal@gmail.com
by LechuVnelcha | Jul 22, 2016 | Eretz Yisrael, LVN Shabbaton
It has been said regarding global realms, “The empire on which the sun never sets.” The same can be said about Lechu V’Nelcha. One week LVN was in the winter season of Australia. The following week LVN found itself in the heat of the summer in the Golan Heights of Eretz Yisroel.
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 1 hour bus ride reflects the dedication and commitment they have toward ensuring their spiritual growth.
And they all got a special dose of inspiration the week of Parashas Balak, when Rebbetzin Dinah Fink joined them, flying directly from Australia, to lead the Shabbaton which was to be held on a private property in Sdei Eliezer, a moshav just 15 minutes north of Tzfas. And what a location it proved to be. Surrounded by peach orchards, and with a breath-taking view of Har HaChermon, it was the ideal setting for a LVN Shabbaton to remember.
The plan was for the bus to head toward the moshav where the 17 girls would prepare for Shabbos, and then hopefully have enough time to travel to Tzfas to be mispallel by the kevarim. But the plans were wonderfully altered due to circumstances beyond their control. The driver made a wrong turn and the bus found itself in Meiron, where much to the delight of all onboard, they were able to daven Mincha by the kever of Rashbi.
They then decided to head directly to Tzfas, where they took advantage of the special segulah of davening on Friday at the kever of R’ Leib Baal Yesurim. They also said tefillos at the kevarim of R’ Pinchas ben Yair, the Ari and of course R’ Shlomo Alkabetz. After all, what better way to prepare for a LVN Shabbos, then to be mispallel by those who authored the tefillos of Kabalas Shabbos, which are always sung by LVN Shabbaton participants to invite the Shechinah into their midst.
The Shabbaton, under the devoted tutelage of Mrs. Marks, was catered and organized by the girls themselves. Following the theme of “Nishmas Kol Chai,” they planned a Shabbos that was incredible in its every detail and design. They were delighted when Rebbetzins Auerbach and Wasserman honored the Shabbaton with their participation.
After Kabbalas Shabbos, Mrs. Marks welcomed the girls and Rebbetzin Fink then gave the first of three thought provoking and inspiring shiurim, following the theme of bein adam l’makom, l’atzmo and chaveiro. The girls were greeted at the Friday night seudah with a décor of music, to signify “Kol haneshma tehallel Kah.” There were divrei Torah and zemiros and of course a delicious menu, and the mesmerizing inspiration went on late into the night.
Following another beautiful shiur by Rebbetzin Fink, the Shabbos day seudah was a sight to behold. Goldfish on each table, and deep sea blue table settings, to emphasize “Ilu finu maleh shira kayam.” No matter how much we praise the Ribbono shel Olam, the depths of the ocean could not hold sufficiently the words of thanks we owe to Him.
The seudah was followed by a workshop led by Mrs. Marks, where she elaborated on the concept of control vs. influence in our lives. The girls then took a walk in the aromatic peach orchards, and the sounds of enthusiastic singing and dancing was contagious and exhilarating.
With Shabbos drawing to a close, the girls enjoyed one more lecture followed by an elegant floral shalosh seudos and an interactive panel, where they had the opportunity to share and discuss the Shabbos’ impact on them as well as their own life experiences. After havdalah, with their looming departure at hand, they prepared sandwiches to go. But first they had one more chance to be inspired by the LVN slideshow and a reminder of the global movement, of which they are an integral part.
The bus ride home gave everyone a chance to remind themselves of all that they had gained, as they rehashed and reviewed with Rebbetzin Fink all that they had learned over the last incredible 24 hours. And so another LVN Shabbaton drew to a close, but the effects of the experience will be with those who came, for a long time to come.
+ Read About the 1st LVN Shabbaton in Eretz Yisrael!
by LechuVnelcha | May 27, 2016 | LVN Shabbaton, North America
Last week, LVN in the U.S. held its annual Spring Lag BaOmer Shabbaton in South Fallsburg, N.Y. Over 130 girls from LVN branches across the U.S. and Canada traveled to upstate New York to take part in this convention, whose theme, “Connections,” gave new meaning to the word. The participants gained insight into how to connect with Hashem and each other in a most meaningful way. The girls went home deeply inspired, taking with them tangible lessons to apply in their daily lives.
ORA TALIA CHATZINOFF
Memories of the 19th Lechu V’Nelcha Shabbos
Entering the Raleigh Hotel, I immediately began to feel a transformation, entering a world that was quite reminiscent of my seminary days. From the very start, I knew that I had made the right decision to join Harav Todros Miller, shlita, Rebbetzin Dinah Fink, and all the speakers and girls from many different places and backgrounds, for this chance to invest in a better self. The balance of learning and recreation allowed me to maximize the Shabbos as both a time to gain the chizuk and tools to keep plowing forward, as well as an opportunity to relax from all the pressures that my daily life entails. From the initial welcome to the final goodbye, I felt disconnected from the rest of the world and floated on cloud nine.
Being a single girl in today’s society is not easy, as in addition to the pressures involved in finding a job and shidduchim, there is no set time for one to sit in a classroom listening to teachers impart lessons of hashkafah and chizuk. Therefore, when I discovered Lechu V’Nelcha I realized that my quality of life was about to improve. Going to the weekly shiur given by Rebbetzin Fink has been tremendously rewarding as I see myself growing stronger in my ideals, rather than chas v’shalom losing that which I worked on in my years of schooling, or at the very best, struggling to maintain the status quo.
Yet, the Lechu V’Nelcha shiur alone can’t even begin to compare to what the Shabbaton did for me. Sitting in shiurim given by the exemplars of chinuch in our generation, with no distractions to compete for my attention, brought home to me just how lucky I am to be able to be a part of Lechu V’Nelcha.
Rav Miller’s shiurim were packed with a mixture of lessons and chizuk, given over in a way that spoke straight to my neshamah. The words “lech lecha” took on a new meaning as I learned the concept of constantly being on the move in ruchniyus and the unique koach of Shabbos as the mekor habrachah. Even more than that was the chizuk that his shiur gave on the survival of the Yidden. As he spoke about the value in galus Mitzrayim, and how we came out a new people, a sense of understanding illuminated the room. We sat there b’achdus, listening to him explain that Hashem’s chessed can be found in every situation that we experience, even the most difficult. It gave me the ability to realize that rather than struggling to survive a hardship, I have the ability to rise above and come out serving my Borei on an even higher plane than before.
His other shiurim, as well as the workshops given by Mrs. Miryam Swerdlov, Rebbetzin Shlomtzy Weisz, Rebbetzin Esti Halberstadt, and Dr. Aviva Biberfeld, were all so practical and down to earth that I walked away from the Shabbaton with tools that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
It was also, though, the lighter parts of Shabbos that I wish I could hold on to for a bit longer. It isn’t often that I get to join together with other girls to have a good time. Whether it was singing together, playing sports, or just schmoozing, it was liberating and uplifting at the same time to meet new girls who are so similar and get to know them. The friends I made on the Shabbaton are friends that I will stay connected to, as we share a kinship through our experiences together, as a part of the Lechu V’Nelcha family.
One girl told me as we were preparing to leave, that the Shabbaton had been so rich and full of content, that she felt as if she had experienced a year’s worth of learning.
by LechuVnelcha | May 21, 2016 | Europe, LVN Shabbaton, Switzerland
Just a few weeks ago, another European Shabbaton was arranged, this time exclusively for the LVN girls in Switzerland. The breathtaking locale of the Swiss Alps combined with tremendous chizuk and inspiration they received from Rebbetzen Fink made the Shabbos experience exhilarating and one of its kind for the 50 girls who participated.
+ Click here to read more about a LVN Shabbos of Inspiration
by LechuVnelcha | Jan 29, 2016 | Europe, Gateshead, Golders Green-London, LVN Shabbaton, Manchester, Stamford Hill-London
The news regarding LVN’s upcoming European Shabbaton spread like wildfire. While post-seminary girls in the U.S. had been joining these Shabbatons for 18 years, never had such an event been held in Europe before. The excitement was contagious and as the anticipation began to build, it could barely be contained. Girls from across Europe, from Belgium and Switzerland as well as England, began making plans to travel to Bournemouth for the week of Parashas Yisro in order to take part in what promised to be a weekend to remember.
Normandie Hotel in Bournemouth, with its magnificent grounds and panoramic views overlooking the sea, was the perfect setting. The girls began arriving Friday afternoon to a toameha spread that was distinctive in its fish and chips alongside the traditional potato kugel. But though the location was the United Kingdom and some of the fare different than that which was enjoyed by their American counterparts, essentially this Shabbaton was no different than the one held a mere few weeks in the tri-state area. LVN Shabbatons are known for their palpable spirit of achdus, as its participants join together to rejuvenate and recharge their spiritual batteries, and this Shabbaton did not disappoint. The theme was “Getting It Together” and the shiurim, workshops and roundtables followed that theme, all relevant and pertinent to the listeners who face this challenge on a daily basis in their homes, in their workplaces and in the world of shidduchim in which they are presently involved. Throughout the weekend, as the girls participated in the uplifting tefillos, the moving zemiros and kumzitz, the inspiring shiurim and the energetic roundtables and panels, they had the opportunity to benefit from the electric energy that was tangible in the air and they kept expressing their thrill at being able to do so.
The girls offered their feedback on what the weekend had meant to them.
“Stamford Hill’s air has truly been uplifted! Wherever you go the talk is of THE SHABBOS!”
“I would like to congratulate you for pulling off an inspiring, thought-provoking and most enjoyable Shabbos!”
“Every detail was carefully seen to and the girls enjoyed a most uplifting experience, the atmosphere was electric and the memories will keep us going for a while.”
“Just wanted to thank you so much (again) for the most amazing and inspirational Shabbos ever. Over here in our staff room we can’t stop discussing it. It was obvious how much time and effort went into arranging it. Thank you so much.”
It was gratifying to hear that the Shabbaton had achieved its vital purpose: to give post-seminary girls, who are leading very busy lives and juggling so many different responsibilities, the chance to reconnect with their like-minded peers, refresh and recharge their enthusiasm for higher ideals, and rejuvenate their neshamos as they aim to climb ever higher on the ladder of spiritual growth.
The girls are already looking forward to planning another Shabbos. In the interim, they feel fortunate to be able to hold on to the inspiration that was generated by going to their weekly shiur at their local LVN branch. Residents of Golders Green, England are eagerly anticipating the opening of their local branch on March 8. Stay tuned for details or call the hotline at 718-4-800-LVN (586) for more information.
Tzippy Zager
