On Monday evening, May 19, the Teaneck Chabad House hosted the Women’s Circle Pre-Shavuot program featuring a unique blend of culinary creativity and Torah. Women from across the community were greeted by Rebbetzins Nechamy Simon and Rivky Goldin and were welcomed into a multi-sensory workshop of intricate focaccia and cheesecake making. Learning the Rebbe’s sichos while waiting for dough to rise and cakes to be layered added spiritual significance and fervor to this year’s Shavuot preparations.
Rebbetzin Goldin, who leads the Women’s Circle, transformed the room into a Shavuot-themed banquet hall with homemade refreshments and perfectly measured ingredients at designated space around the table for each participant. Inspired by photos of artistic focaccias around the room and Rebbetzin Goldin’s masterful tutorial, women used their gloved hands to knead their own dough, which became their canvas for a host of herbs and vegetables cut, feathered and placed in their own design.
At an adjacent table, Rebbetzin Goldin, along with her daughters, set up a buffet of DIY “cheesecake in a jar” materials. These included cheesecake batter along with a variety of toppings from chips to fruit and syrups to layer in jars and, of course, an array of colorful ribbons to adorn them with for the holiday.
As Torah is at the epicenter of every Women’s Circle gathering, Rebbetzin Goldin carefully interweaved Tehillim, inspirational stories and Shavuot-themed sichos of the Lubavitcher Rebbe into the evening. In particular, emphasis was placed on the Rebbe’s value of women as setting the spiritual standards of the home. Another highlight, as relayed by participant Sheri Goldman, was an update about Teaneck Chabad Women’s Circle’s “sister city,” Ein Haemek in the Miggido region of Israel.
“I was delighted to hear about the continued partnership with our community,” Goldman shared. Remarking about the personalized magnets with messages of hakarat hatov they shared that were spread on the tables, Goldman said, “Their thoughtfulness reminds of the strong bond we share and I look forward to more opportunities together with this partnered community.” Culminating with the recitation of the bracha for Sefirat HaOmer and the collective “amen,” a palpable feeling of purpose and connection added further kavana to the evening.
While many of the culinary tools and ingredients utilized at the event are common household staples, Rebbetzin Goldin demonstrated, by instruction and example, how the infusion of tefillah, divrei Torah, social connection, beauty and joy, can bring Yom Tov preparations to another level.
Participant Rachel Schilowitz captured a popular sentiment, saying that she “really enjoyed the opportunity to get together with women from around the Teaneck community before the holiday of Shavuot to relax, reflect and realize the special power of unity.” Taking home the creative edible artwork was an added bonus to this wonderful evening.
For information on Teaneck Women’s Circle events, email [email protected].
