Stories @ CSI

A VERY SPECIAL SISTERHOOD SHABBAT

The first Shabbat in February 2022 was an incredibly special one for Congregation Shearith Israel with more than seventy women and girls participating in Sisterhood Shabbat. Women led every part of the service, many reading from the Torah or leading davening for the first time (or first time in decades)! It truly takes a village and Sisterhood members rallied a Kiddush crew to share recipes, shop, bake and set up a delicious lunch. Click here for the program and check out how many members were involved! 

The Torah portion, Parashat Terumah, recounts how the Israelites brought gifts to decorate the Tabernacle. In keeping with that theme, many Shearith Israel women, teens, and girls brought beautiful items and mementos to decorate our own sacred space, which were then displayed in the sanctuary.  

Sisterhood Secretary Renée Stein’s remarks encapsulated the importance of every single role involved in this year’s Sisterhood Shabbat. “Every complex structure is built from individual parts, whether that structure is an architectural building or a work of art, operating code for software or a legal argument, a business plan or - a congregation. Every part has a function, a purpose…The Israelites gifted fine materials and expert craftsmanship to construct a place for God to dwell among them. We humans make space for divine presence through our ingenuity, our combined creativity.”

Adina Rudisch, Sisterhood Co-president, remarked, “Parashat Terumah speaks of the importance of pairing the spiritual beauty of the Torah with the physical beauty of the tabernacle. So too, our wonderful co-chairs of Sisterhood Shabbat, Erin Chernow and Jaime Sherman Wender, paired the beauty of davening the words of the Torah with meaningful art and a delicious kiddush. The most beautiful thing of all, however, was seeing the sanctuary filled with people and hearing the music of our voices in prayer. Everyone who attended, whether in-person or virtually, felt the love and warmth of our community."

During Sisterhood Shabbat, one woman is recognized for her outstanding contributions to Sisterhood and the shul. This year, Jaime Sherman Wender was bestowed the honor of Woman of Valor. 

“Jaime is a ball of energy that brightens up a room with her warm and welcoming smile,” remarked Co-president Amy Trotz. “She’s not afraid to mix things and broaden opportunities for people to come on board. In fact, her vision and determination to engage more women to participate in today’s service filled the sanctuary with new voices.”

To learn more about Congregation Shearith Israel’s vibrant Sisterhood, click here.