It should be noted that Dr. Zoya Maksumova created new criteria for the nomination of Outstanding Mothers 2023 this year. In previous years, the organizers simply honored mothers with many children. The idea was to express gratitude and appreciation to mothers who dedicate themselves to having and raising children, expanding our community. This year was the first time when the editor, Dr. Maksumova, introduced the idea of honoring mothers who not only give new members to the society, but also actively participate in the life of this very society. The development and growth of the individual and its self-realization for the benefit of the community in the broadest sense are of paramount importance for Dr. Maksumova.
Sunday afternoon of May 14th celebrated motherhood, and womanhood at a banquet hall in Queens for acknowledgment and empowerment of women. This celebration gave extra attention, recognition, and awards to the seven women noted in the previous issue of this magazine.
Editor Dr. Zoya Maksumova created new criteria for nominating “Outstanding Mothers of 2023.” The criteria were: 1. Moms who have four or more children; 2. Moms who work outside the home; and 3. Moms who are active in their community.
What is the goal?
In previous years, on Mother’s Day, this magazine would honor moms with many children. The idea was to show gratitude and appreciation to moms who are dedicated to expanding the community by having many children. This was the first year that the editor, Dr. Maksumova, came up with the idea to honor moms with this new criterion noted. The development and growth of the community are of paramount importance to Dr. Maksumova.
Why is this good for the women and the community?
Lillianna Ahuva Yelizarov: "It’s very nice to be recognized and noticed for all the work I invest in the community while also juggling being a mother. I think it is wonderful that the organization recognizes women, after all, we don’t really get recognized a lot".
Victoriya Khanimov-Gavrielov: "Initially I felt some self-consciousness about my participation but then when it came to the actual event and everyone’s attention, I felt a bigger sense of acknowledgment of all the hard work that my husband and I put into our kids. Not only that, but I also now felt that maybe it was meant for me to be part of this recognition and now I almost must live up to the title and be an even better mom to my kids. Every mother deserves to hear recognition, not only from her family but perhaps even others. I can promise our readers that we mothers of large families don’t always have it all together, but we do our best and with Hashem’s help, over time we become masters of all the juggling."
What are some common reservations and why don't we have to worry about them?
Some may feel like they don’t deserve such recognition. When I first got the call, I felt awesome and awkward at the same time. Awesome to be in a magazine and to be recognized but awkward because there are plenty of other people who do what I do and may even have more kids. And because there are many people who would want to have more kids but can’t and not by choice. But then I realized that if G-d blessed me with this opportunity to meet the criteria of the competition organizers, why not? And so I embraced the opportunity and enjoyed every moment. It’s an extraordinarily empowering feeling that only spreads more good into the world. Others shared my sentiment and said that they too felt that it was maybe in some ways wrong to stand out because there are so many other moms who deserve this too, even if they don’t have exactly four or more kids. However, this award only aims to promote good and only comes with favorable results and even more favorable side effects.
Some may worry that excessive attention and magazine recognition will give them the evil eye and something bad will happen. Earlier in the year, when I was writing about jealousy and how to manage those feelings in a way that is productive I learned that according to Chabad.org’s article, “What is the meaning of the ‘Evil Eye’?”, author Yehuda Shurpin notes that the Talmud tells us that “one who is not troubled by it, [evil eye], will not be troubled by it.'' As my father always said too, Don’t be bothered by it, [evil eye,] it will not bother you.
What’s next?
This annual recognition will continue next year. If you are honored to be part of it, embrace it, enjoy it and let it build you up to greater heights.
Vera Borukhova,
participant of the contest, awarded the title "Outstanding Mothers 2023"
