Nishmas Winter Shabbaton: The Jewish Woman at Her Core

Chaviva's annual Winter Shabbaton was an amazing experience of bonding and growth that was hosted in beautiful Millersburg, Ohio, deep in Amish country. The weekend was filled with inspiration, creativity, and connection, as the girls explored the theme of “Eishes Chayil ME Yimtza” and discovered the many ways Jewish women bring kedusha into the world.

To kick off the Shabbaton Thursday afternoon, Mrs. Fleksher introduced the theme of Eishes Chayil with a presentation about some of the nshei chayil of the project she directed for the Orthodox Union called Faces of Orthodoxy. Students first shared the images that come to mind when they think of an Eishes Chayil. Mrs. Fleksher then presented stories of five special women who were each women of valor in their own way, connecting them to specific passukim in Eishes Chayil. Some started businesses to support their families and utilize their talents. Others started organizations to fill a need in the community. Some women were married, proud to be wives and mothers, and to have their husbands backing their endeavors. Others were divorced, yet exemplified the qualities of the Eishes Chayil in their lives. Particular highlights included Dr. Hindi Posy of L.A., rebbetzin, doctor, and mother of 9 boys, Sarah Rivkah Kohn, the founder of LINKS, which supports families who have also lost a parent, and Miriam Sandler of Boca Raton, a world-class Latino performer who found true meaning and fulfillment in Torah Judaism. The common denominator behind all these women is that their primary identity is being a proud Jewish woman. The girls found these women to be fascinating and inspiring, and were tasked with exploring their own core identities as Jewish young women.

From there, we traveled to Amish country, and upon arriving at our homes, students were treated to dinner and an adorable skit by the Nishmas Heads showcasing the diversity of holy Jewish women. The evening continued with a hilarious “Do You Know Your Daughter?” game, where students’ moms were called to compare answers and test how well they know their daughters. Following the laughter, students began preparing the Shabbos meals, with each grade taking responsibility for different aspects, from baked goods and Friday night dinner to Shabbos day meals, creating a true spirit of teamwork and collaboration.

Friday offered an optional early shiur before Shacharis, followed by a moving shiur from Mrs. Berkowitz exploring the lessons derived from the creation of Chava, the very first woman on earth, and the connection to the deep Torah of the moon’s role as it relates to the outside world’s value of women over the centuries. The girls tapped into the power of one of the special mitzvos of the Jewish woman and collectively participated in multiple hafrashos challah before getting ready for Shabbos. Kabbalas Shabbos overlooking the lake set a serene and inspiring tone, followed by creative skits highlighting remarkable Jewish women throughout history, including the daughters of Tzelophchad, the wife of On ben Peles, Rebbetzin Rochel Sorotzkin, and Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis, to name a few.

Shabbos day continued with engaging workshops led by the madrichos and the Nishmas Heads, exploring Jewish femininity and identifying traits reflected in women of the Torah. Panel discussions with chaperones offered powerful insights on identity, mentorship, and finding one’s path, with conversations continuing well into the early morning hours. On Shabbos afternoon, students heard presentations from Mrs. Fleksher, Mrs. Berkowtiz, and Mrs. Tenenbaum about the three special mitzvos of the Jewish woman and the unique power we have to bring holiness into our lives. The Shabbaton concluded with the entire school completing Sefer Tehillim while davening with another student’s name in mind, heartfelt singing and havdallah, followed by an epic game of Capture the Flag, and a lively Melaveh Malka.

This Shabbaton was a true community effort, with every student and staff member contributing to its success, from planning logistics, managing the menu, and preparing meals to leading workshops and activities. The Nishmas Heads orchestrated the schedule and programming with creativity and dedication, ensuring each moment was meaningful, inspiring, and fun. It was inspiring to hear divrei Torah throughout the experience from our incredible students, and watching them play silly games and laughing with each other as they grew closer over Shabbos.

Thank you to all the staff and students who made this unforgettable Shabbaton possible, a weekend of growth, reflection, and joy that will be remembered for years to come.