(Courtesy of the JEC Elmora Avenue Shul) On March 26, the JEC Elmora Avenue Shul hosted a “Ladies Night” featuring the famous Tzipora Grodko, a highly regarded motivational speaker and devoted singles advocate. Grodko’s upbeat personality was evident from the moment she started speaking. While the audience included singles, their parents, siblings and friends, her speech included and had something for everyone. She stressed the importance of recognizing the dignity and value of single community members and urged everyone to shift from viewing a single person solely as a person who needs to get married to a wonderful, independent, interesting human being. She reiterated how important it is to foster a supportive and inclusive community for everyone, especially singles. Marriage should not be viewed as a ticket to the community.

Grodko then highlighted how insensitive remarks, even if well-intended, may be hurtful to single individuals. She shared many personal anecdotes and real-life comments that singles often encounter, such as intrusive questions and unsolicited advice about their personal lives, sometimes from virtual strangers. She half-joked about “the sheitel giving people wisdom,” which highlights the fallacy in society, where in many cases, a younger married woman is given more respect than an older single woman. These experiences underscore what she terms a “Bein Adam L’Chavero crisis,’ rather than a shidduch crisis. She encouraged everyone in the community to do what they can to really see the entire single person, and not just a two-dimensional person who hasn’t yet met their zivug.

“The JEC Elmora Avenue Shul, located in the heart of the Elizabeth, New Jersey community, was happy to welcome people from the local Elizabeth/Hillside community as well as from our sister communities in Union County and beyond,” the shul stated. “We were so happy to be the gathering place for such an important community discussion. Thank you to one of our single members for her diligent work in arranging this program which was enjoyed by all.”