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Women's Seminar
By Malka Butel
You know how it goes: you get an announcement in the mail that a great speaker is coming to town, and she is speaking on a subject that interests you. You make a mental note that you want to go. Then the week of the event comes along and you start to question whether you can really clear up the space in your hectic schedule to actually go. And finally the day arrives and you think there is a slim chance you can get the kids to bed on time and encourage your husband to baby-sit. Well, the final moment comes as the lecture fast approaches, do you go and make the shlep for this interesting event or just give in to the pandemonium and stay home? I am happy to report that making the shlep to hear Rebbetzin Chana Shmukler was not only the right choice, it was a blessing.
Rebbetzin Chana Shmukler made the shlep from Montreal, Canada just to speak to our community of women on the topic of Taharas Hamishpacha. Instead of just going through the laws as some lecturers are prone to do, Mrs. Shmukler wove a tapestry of beautiful stories, examples, philosophies and insights that sent my soul soaring. She spoke so eloquently on the topic of marriage and yes, even romance. On the first night Mrs. Shmukler shared with us insights into what makes a marriage last – and last happily. On the morning of the second day Mrs. Shmukler went deep into the puzzles of the calendar. And on the second night, while the ladies ate fancy cakes and fruit, Mrs. Shmukler went through the ins and outs of the laws of Taharas Hamishpacha in a very informal, pragmatic and interesting way.
I’ve been to lectures on this subject before, but I have never been so richly informed in both the laws and insights into this beautiful mitzvah. Thank you Mrs. Shmukler for coming out to our neck of the woods to share your wonderful presentations with us. And thank you Chabad in S. Monica for organizing this magnificent event. I’m looking forward to more!