On the eve of the Jewish New Year,
the grand hall of the Congress in Tel Aviv was filled with a special light.
Women leaders of community clubs from across the country gathered here.
The occasion was the traditional
holiday toast, which turned into an evening of gratitude, appreciation, and
joy.
From the very first moments, it was
clear: this was more than just a meeting—it was like a big family gathering,
where every woman became the center of attention. Usually, these women are the
ones who care for others, organize, support, and create warmth in their
communities. But on this evening, it was time to say to them—thank you.
The hall was filled with a festive
yet warm atmosphere. Among the honored guests was Mrs. Tamara Elizarova, whose
presence added even greater brilliance to the celebration. She congratulated
the women on the coming year and emphasized that the contribution of each of
them is like a precious stone in the necklace of community life.
The evening opened with a lecture by
Efrat Mushaev. Her topic—family relationships—resonated with every woman in the
hall. With inspiration and warmth, she spoke about the mystery of the letters
in people’s names: each letter carries energy, each sign can influence
relationships and destinies. The women listened with genuine interest, asked
questions, debated, and shared personal stories. It was clear the lecture
touched their hearts.
After the group photo, which became
a symbol of unity and strength, the participants gathered at the festive table.
Singer Beni-Daniel Katanov took the stage. His songs moved many to tears. At
one point, the music shifted to Bukharian melodies, and the entire hall rose to
dance. Women held hands, sang together, laughed, and filled the hall with joy
and pride for their culture.
It was no accident that everything
seemed so harmonious: behind each detail was the thoughtful work of Shoshana
Simkhayev, head of the Cultural Department at the Congress. She had planned
everything—from the first greeting to the final note. The women thanked her
warmly: “Usually we take care of others, but today someone cared for us.”
Words of gratitude were also
addressed to the Congress leadership—President Lev Levayev and his wife Olga,
as well as Rabbi Yehuda Bloy, the Congress’s Director General. Their support
enables these projects to live and grow, and helps women feel that their work
does not go unnoticed.
“Each of us balances clubs, family,
and home. But we keep moving forward,” said one participant. Another added: “Here,
in this hall, we feel valued. That gives us strength for another year ahead.”
The evening concluded with
Shoshana’s wishes for a sweet, good year filled with more gatherings, support,
and shared efforts.
This celebration showed that the mo’adonei
nashim—women’s clubs—are not just organizations. They are the living hearts
of the community, its soul and strength. And the women who lead them are true
everyday heroines, preserving traditions, building bridges between generations,
and filling life with warmth.
With pride and inspiration, the
participants returned home—with renewed energy, a sense of unity, and
confidence that the new year will be as bright as this festive evening in the
Congress hall.
By Leonid Elizarov
Photo report by Dudi Bar
