New Crown Heights Mothers’ Center Opens Today

Miriam’s Motherhood Center, a new center for mothers in Crown Heights that offers a wide variety of services and programs for mothers, will open its doors on Monday, 18 Tammuz.

By Anash.org reporter
Photos: Dalya Holder Photography

Miriam’s Motherhood Center, a new center for mothers in Crown Heights that offers a wide variety of services and programs for mothers, will open its doors on Monday, 18 Tammuz.

Following the birth of her first child, Mrs. Mushka Leiter became aware of an acute need in the Crown Heights community. While many individuals and organizations offered services or aid for new mothers, there was no one centralized place to access these resources. So she set out to create exactly that. Together with her husband, she founded Mothers of Crown Heights, a website that gathers all resources for mothers. From childbirth classes and hospital packing lists to meals after childbirth to advice for nursing mothers, it was all there.

But Mushka and her husband Chaim felt that there was still a need, something else every mother needs: A space dedicated to them, a baby-friendly destination. So they set out on their next project, to create exactly such a space where mothers could come to relax, rejuvenate, socialize, learn, and be inspired.

The first priority was a location that could house such a center. It needed to be spacious and have room for all the different functions the center would serve. It was also important to them that the location would be well lit and that it would be in an area that would be convenient for the community.

After years of searching, checking one place after the next, they finally discovered a space that would fit their needs. Located on East New York Avenue between Troy and Schenectady, an old warehouse offered enough space, large windows with a lot of sunlight, and was close enough for mothers from across the community to make it there.

In Tishrei of this year, the Leiters signed a lease on the property, and construction began. The former warehouse was transformed into a warm and elegant space.

When the time came to name the center, the answer was simple for the Leiters. They would name it after Mushka’s grandmother, Mrs. Miriam Tzimmel Friedman, of blessed memory, calling it ‘Miriam’s Motherhood Center.’

“My grandmother was the quintessential Jewish mother. She took great pride and joy in her role,” Mrs. Leiter said. “So the natural choice was to dedicate the mother’s center to her.”

After months of planning, construction and designing, the new center is finally ready for mothers to come and enjoy it. The soft opening will be held today, Monday, June 28, with classes and programs being added over the coming months.

Miriam’s Motherhood Center offers four components:

The playroom: An indoor play space stacked with toys and games to bring babies and toddlers; a place to meet other moms and enjoy time out of the house in a baby-friendly place

The lounge: Where mothers can socialize, join classes, workshops and support groups.

The office: A shared workspace for women during the day. The co-working space is offered in collaboration with CHYE. The office will be available for women age 18 and older.

The studio: Fitness classes, mommy and me programs, you name it! A multi-purpose room that offers programming for moms and toddlers.

Annual membership for the center is $180. Scholarships are offered for those that request it, and memberships can be gifted to a mother who could use one.

“It is our fervent hope that Miriam’s Center will transform the face of motherhood in Crown Heights, and by extension, the entire Chabad community,” they said.

Miriam’s Center: www.MiriamsCenter.org
Gift Membership: https://www.miriamscenter.org/membership
Resources for expecting and postpartum women: www.MothersofCrownHeights.org