Events & News

LEV ExperienceSummer Sip of Spirituality

Join Devorah Buxbaum and Rachel Berenzweig for a transformative jouney this summer! Connect with like-minded women as we explore the book “Soul Construction” by Ruchi Koval. Register here.

Israel Solidarity Mission

Rachel and her husband Seth had the privilege to travel to Israel on a solidarity mission after the devastating terror attack on October 7.  They volunteered at an Israel Defense Force military base, meeting soldiers and providing logistical support.  They helped harvest the land to assist with agricultural needs.  Throughout the trip, they met with and learned from Israeli citizens impacted by the war.  Click here to read more about their moving and impactful journey.

Congregation B'nai Tzedek Women's SederWomen’s Seders 2023 and 2024

Sunday, March 26, 2023 from 4:30 to 7:30 pm and Sunday, April 4, 2024 from 5:30 to 8:30 pm
At Congregation B’nai Tzedek

At these Seders, we honor those women in whose footsteps we walk- the heroines of the Exodus story, our mothers, grandmothers and all the women who led the way, breaking glass ceilings and creating new opportunities for future generations.

Bring your sisters, daughters (13+), mothers and friends and join us for this joyful, musical celebration and dinner sponsored by the Sisterhood and led in part by Rachel Berenzweig.

Listen to an excerpt of Rachel’s talk from the 2024 Seder.

Sparkling from the Inside OutElevateHER

Some excerpts from Rachel’s lovely talk:

Now the question is, what are your unique strengths and gifts?  Are there any you are holding back on, afraid to share, regret that you aren’t sharing, procrastinating on sharing?  This is where our soul work is, uniquely and lovingly handcrafted for each of us by Gd.  How blessed we are.

I would like to share with you a story written by an Aish Rabbi of the great Chassidic master, Zusya, who lay crying on his deathbed.  His students asked him, “Rebbe, why are you so sad? After all the mitzvahs and good deeds you have done, you will surely get a great reward in heaven!”

“I’m afraid!” said Zusya. “Because when I get to heaven, I know Gd’s not going to ask me ‘Why weren’t you more like Moses?’ or ‘Why weren’t you more like King David?’ But I’m afraid that God will ask ‘Zusya, why weren’t you more like Zusya?’ And then what will I say?!”

My dear ladies, we were each created with our own, unique and most beautiful and critical light to share with this world.  It is our life’s work to keep tapping into our Pintele Yid, that divine spark within each of us, and share it and keep sharing it.  For it is when we are sparkling inside that we are able to share that sparkle outside.

So go forth, glow forth and sparkle forth!!!

TEACH GIVE INSPIRE FRIDAYSFROM STONES TO KISSES

Some excerpts from Rachel’s beautiful talk:

The great Rabbi Simcha Bunim is credited with the idea that we should each walk around with a note in each pocket.  One says “The world was created for me.”  The other says “I am but dust and ashes.”  This teaching really resonates with me – two beautiful beliefs, which are both true and exist simultaneously.  Hope and humility.

It seems to me that emotional endurance (or maintaining our sparkle through our suffering) comes from being okay with conflicting feelings while maintaining faith, optimism, gratitude and curiosity…

When I think about surviving and thriving, it makes me think about holding stones in one hand and Hershey’s kisses in the other.  The stones represent the difficulties we have in life and the chocolate kisses represent the joy.  And I think our thriving comes in the reality which is that space between the painful stones and the kisses of joy.  Letting them both exist at the same time and embracing both.

RACHEL INTERVIEWS DR. EDITH EGERDr. Edith Eger

Rachel interviews Dr. Edith Eger, author of “The Choice” and “The Gift” at the Congregation B’nai Tzedek Sisterhood Membership Brunch. Dr. Eger, whose parents both died at Auschwitz, made the choice to heal rather than remaining a permanent victim. She is a testament to the freedom of forgiving, letting go, and moving on. Watch Rachel’s fascinating interview with this amazing woman.

LEV EXPERIENCEJOY OF THE JEWISH WOMAN

In this intimate, summer mini-series, we highlighted topics unique to Jewish women.  We focused on the divine spark within each of us, the special mitzvot for Jewish women and the incredible character traits of our Matriarchs.  Can’t wait to continue this series soon!!