Finding Meaning & Clarity, Harmony & Balance while on the Roller Coaster of Life!
a Jewish Women's Circle event recap
November 16, 2011
The second JWC event of the year was enthusiastically attended by nearly 50 women! As Bassie often reiterates in her warm welcome, as much as we love being together for these special evenings, it's more than a little challenging to actually get out of the house and come!! But our consistently high attendance is testimony that we, as Jewish women very much need the sisterhood, the support and the stress-reducing qualities of these meaningful, memorable events at CJC of Mission Viejo! There are only three more this year (well technically, next year) so be sure to carve some 'me time' into your busy lives to experience these uplifting evenings.
It all starts when we enter into the beautifully decorated, candle-lit foyer. Immediately we're enveloped in an inviting, soothing, feminine atmosphere, where the soft music in the background puts us at ease. The senses continue to be delighted as you gaze at the magnificent buffet presentation, smell the wonderful aromas arising from the platters, and hear the cheerful sounds of friends greeting one another. Our ever creative decorator, Batsheva Bollinger staged a dramatic fall feast for the eyes with high vases of autumnal tree branches placed down the center of the buffet. They loomed large over baskets flowing with fabrics in purples, orange, gold and browns. Contained within these baskets and upon serving dishes were delicious spinach and potato knishes, giant salads - hearts of palm and chinese coleslaw, varieties of breads & chips with a fun selection of dips displayed elegantly in martini glasses of all sizes. Our plates became laden with this colorful, healthy array of edibles and we sat to schmooze and satiate.
Siri Smith introduced our evening's 'ice breaker' game, a get-to-know-you 20 questions. With inquiries like, "who would like to jump out of a plane" or "who is a morning person" or "who likes scary movies" we actually learned a few things about our group that could spark additional conversation and connection. That is just why the JWC committee decided to incorporate the ice breakers at the start of each event.
Rebbetzen Bassie Marcus, having just returned from New York that afternoon, nevertheless rallied her strength, smile and sweetness of spirit and graciously saluted all present. The evening's guest speaker,Chava Tombosky, is an old friend of Bassie & Rabbi Marcus and Bassie was excited to introduce the talented writer, singer, teacher & filmmaker to us.
Chava is a strikingly beautiful, vivacious and entertaining woman who is also a Chabad rebbetzen. Not that she can't be both, of course! But if there were any stereotypes in mind attached to observant, married w/ children Jewish women, Chava would blow them away! However Chava, while obviously born for the stage, did not come to speak to us about the theater of our outer personas, but about spiritual self-discovery and finding purpose in the constant struggles of life. One of the concepts she put forth was an explanation why G‑d created us to struggle. Chava asked, "Is a photograph or a painting more valuable?" The photograph is an image of something, a copy, whereas a painting is interpretive, creatively expressive, emotionally imbued and a work of the mind, body and soul. G‑d created us in his image, yet there is no 'image' of G‑d. We are meant to grapple & tussle with fathoming our existence and then 'paint our own picture'. The struggle is us creating and expressing who we are and where we're going. It is how we find ourselves, how we grow & evolve. The 'painting' is what G‑d values.
Another concept Chava discussed is happiness - and it's opposite. It's not sadness, nor is it indifference. Startlingly, Chava said it's Doubt. If you are insecure in your purpose or haven't found meaning or direction for your life then true happiness may well elude you. However, if you have no doubt as to your purpose, have found a certain authenticity in your connection to your soul then you can experience real happiness, even in the midst of life's greatest challenges. Of course, isn't this one of life's greatest conundrums - how to discover our purpose!? Chava says that as we struggle to paint the canvas of our lives (made up of all our experiences), we should consciously seek deeper spiritual connection, find the source of light within and shine it out, & nurture our souls as we search for meaning. To help figure out your purpose or destiny, Chava suggested that we examine our Jewish names. By discovering the holy connection you have with your name it can be a source of inspiration on your life's journey.
After that intriguing talk, I felt my path to happiness started at the dessert/coffee table - no doubt about it! A delicious variety of cookies & rugelach, as well as a beautiful display of colorful cut fruit in giant champagne glasses tempted everyone for a sweet after dinner treat. All the ladies also received a wrapped magnetic notepad as their parting gift from the JWC.
Now for the Thank You's that are so important to bestow. Much appreciation goes to Olinda, Bassie's cooking helper, to Ina Welland, Char Wilson and Elaine Lent for food shopping, Roz Gantman, Barbara Wolinsky and Batsheva Bollinger for kitchen/food prep (yes, our decorator was working in the kitchen too!), to Mashie & Chana Marcus, to Samantha Cymerint, to Joelle Quinn, Andee Dekofsky & Cindy Cisneros and a big thanks to Alejandra Paz!! - we are so very grateful for all our volunteer's generosity of time and spirit!
We have an exciting nationally known speaker for our next Jewish Women's Circle event on January 25, 2012. Ruth Klein, 'America's De-Stress Diva' is an acclaimed author, business & lifestyle expert and a sought-after public speaker and coach. We are delighted that Ms. Klein is coming to share her tips and techniques with us and want you all to invite lots of friends to this event. More info to come - but mark your calendars!!
Sincerely-
Dara Linson