Hundreds of women attended a gala dinner held Monday evening in Kfar Chabad, organized by “Adi Ad – L’Chaim U’Livracha” under the theme “Kol Kallah.”
The evening opened with guest of honor MK Limor Son Har-Melech, Deputy Speaker of the Knesset and chairwoman of the Knesset Caucus for Religious and Haredi Women. In warm remarks, she expressed her appreciation and admiration for the tremendous work of “Adi Ad” on behalf of brides of today and the brides of tomorrow.
The Mashpia, Rabbi Meni Roth, delivered an inspiring address centered on the power of the “voice” — from the Divine voice at Matan Torah, which brought about miracles and healing, to the power of charity, with the word “kol” having the numerical value of “mamon” — money, representing the tzedakah that can avert a harsh decree.
The evening featured live musical accompaniment, with mother and daughter Ayelet Akivaov and Mushka Levy performing moving songs and leading the artistic program. The program took the participants on a journey toward the chuppah.
The journey began with a bride facing questions and uncertainty, finding answers through “Ask-Me Plus,” the halachic Q&A service on the way to building an everlasting Jewish home. It continued with two mothers preparing for their children’s weddings: Devorah Zigman, whose eldest daughter is a bride, and Feigi Borgan, an experienced mother who has already married off children.
Together, they visited the “Adi Ad House,” where the bride and her mother selected a beautiful and dignified dowry. The visit also featured the launch of a new initiative providing subsidized furniture for every bride, with a complete basic furniture package for a young couple at a significantly reduced price.
From the story of “the bride of today,” the program moved to “the bride of tomorrow,” through a powerful artistic presentation combining live violin music, professional dance, screens and stage performance. It told the remarkable story of Ruti, a young woman from a Litvish background whose life journey brought her all the way to Seoul, South Korea.
There, after a long and winding journey, she encountered Chabad through Divine Providence. A Chabad emissary began studying Tanya with her, and her searching soul found what it had been seeking. After returning to Israel, she connected with Mrs. Chani Lamberg and Mrs. Chani Wilshansky of Haifa, continuing to study Chassidus and connect with the Rebbe’s path.
As an older single woman, she continued to struggle with loneliness until Mrs. Chani Lamberg introduced her to the “L’Chaim U’Livracha” organization. There she found supportive friendships, a genuine support group, empowering farbrengens, activities, retreats and women who devoted themselves to supporting the group of women.
“L’Chaim U’Livracha” also works with shadchanim and the wider community to encourage involvement and caring in the shidduch process. During the evening, Racheli Cohen and Devorah Leah Betzalel (Batashvili) shared their personal stories and how the organization’s supportive framework helped them on their journey toward building their homes.
Devorah Leah, together with her mother-in-law Dina Betzalel, also shared how their shidduch came about through the “I Care About Chabad Shidduchim” group operated by “L’Chaim U’Livracha.” The organization’s “Yad B’Yad L’Adi Ad” department, led by Mrs. Malka Rotstein and Mrs. Malka Niazov, provides professional guidance and support for unique shidduch situations.
Among the organization’s newer initiatives is “Lirot Et HaNolad” (“Looking Ahead”), which accompanies women through the complex journey toward motherhood, with an emphasis on planning for the future.
Chairwoman of “Adi Ad – L’Chaim U’Livracha,” Mrs. Bracha Tabardovitch, addressed the participants and thanked the partners and donors who sustain the organization. She also expressed appreciation to the dedicated volunteers of “Adi Ad,” led by Mrs. Meira Aharon and Mrs. Heni Hazan, and to the volunteers of “L’Chaim U’Livracha,” led by Mrs. Nechama Amitai and Mrs. Feigi Burkis.
At the heart of the evening was the fundraising campaign, led with dedication by Mrs. Chani Goldberg, who heads the campaign, together with Mrs. Chani Malka.
Rabbanit Rochel Hendel also blessed the donors. With the impact of “Adi Ad – L’Chaim U’Livracha” resonating throughout the evening, hearts opened to support an organization that gives to the entire community and brings that generosity back through joyous occasions.
Alongside the organization’s community-wide initiatives, special assistance is provided to brides from families in need, including an expanded support package, financial assistance and approximately 50% subsidies toward the purchase of a sheitel, with plans to further expand the support available to needy brides.
“Sowing charity brings forth salvation.” Mrs. Ruti Rachamim shared her personal story of miraculous blessings following her support of “Adi Ad.” Three years ago, she went above and beyond to raise funds for 12 brides, personally sponsoring three of them. With gratitude, she testified that she subsequently merited to see tremendous salvations and, over the past three years, to marry off all four of her daughters.
The evening concluded with a unique presentation in which dilemmas surrounding shidduchim and marriage were presented through artistic playback theater and addressed from a professional and Chassidic perspective by coach Zizi Kugelman.
Logistical production: Mendel Rachamim
Direction and content production: Mushki Eidelkop
Photographer Dov Ber Hechtman presents an extensive photo gallery from the evening:
