Give the Change You Want to See Today

Thirteen years ago, my wife and her friend dreamt of a place where women could join together for learning and friendship and mutual support. Since then, they have been steadily creating tangible change in our community and beyond.

To my fellow Yid,

With joy, and not a little pride, I’ve watched as my wife’s dream has taken shape and become a reality.

But let me back up for a moment.

Thirteen years ago, my wife and her friend dreamt of a place where women could join together for learning and friendship and mutual support. It was to be a place where babies were welcome and motherhood was celebrated. So together with Mrs. Dvora Lakein, she opened the doors of The Crown Heights Women’s Circle in Shvat of 2012. Baruch Hashem, it’s now a strong organization, uniting all types of women, from across Crown Heights, into one cohesive entity.

Since then, they have been steadily creating tangible change in our community and beyond. Women meet weekly for a stimulating Torah class. Monthly special events explore topics such as personal growth, child-rearing, and shalom bayis. Their semi-annual Shabbaton has been described by women as “life-changing.” Personally, I know that their Yom tov programming adds a lot to our home’s atmosphere. And I appreciate that every Wednesday my wife returns with renewed inspiration and enthusiasm.

The novel Imahos Ubanos, mother-daughter learning program, has cemented the Circle’s reach with the next generation. Over 700 mothers and daughters have participated in the learning this year, and its model is being replicated in several other communities. 

Then there’s the practical assistance: the Circle provides funds for those in temporary need, clothing vouchers for Yom Tov, and members regularly cook meals for families celebrating a new baby or going through a trying time.

The women fundraise and work hard to keep costs low and make programming accessible to all. Their annual fundraiser amounts to a significant part of the budget: this year’s goal is $90,000. It’s money that will be used to expand existing programs and add new projects in order to strengthen the women and families of our shchuna. And, as we know, what happens in Crown Heights doesn’t stay in Crown Heights. It spreads to the entire world.

So join me. Please. Let’s support the women of our community, the mothers of our children, the foundations of our homes.

Give the change you want to see, today, at www.matchathon.com/wc.

In appreciation,

Rabbi Mordechai Lipskier