(Courtesy of YIWP) Young Israel of White Plains (YIWP) women took a break from their cooking preparations and gathered on Erev Shavuot morning to create floral arrangements to adorn their homes and shul. The event was hosted by Reut Reiss, YIWP’s youth director. The women enjoyed coffee and cheesecake, and everyone left with their own handcrafted floral arrangement.

The event was followed by a women’s learning night, held on the first night of Shavuot. The women gathered at YIWP for an evening of inspiration and connection planned by YIWP member and dinner honoree Nicole Gamzon. The night began with a shiur by Miriam Leiderman, giving a fresh and thoughtful take on the essence of Matan Torah and the place of women within Torah study. Next, Gamzon presented a baking demo of a no-bake cheesecake to give a fresh twist on what cheesecake teaches us about Sinai, soul and the feminine journey. Each woman was able to enjoy her cheesecake while learning. This was followed by Deni Kolatch, who spoke about returning after Hazalat Nefashot, specifically how it related to chayalim currently serving in Gaza. The night ended with a shiur, led by Meira Donath, on “Letting Go and Letting In,” an interactive discussion on inner peace and the teachings of Moshe Gerscht.

One community member shared, “The events were meant to help women feel a sense of connection to the holiday as well as to each other, and it did exactly that.”

This is one of the many recent events organized by YIWP women, which have included a challah bake, Tu B’Shevat upcycling event, a clothing swap, and the longstanding Tuesday night learning with Rabbi Greenberg.

For those interested in finding out more about women’s event at YIWP, or about the community at large, call (914)683-9497 or visit www.yiwp.org/contact-us.html