For seven years Congregation Beth Torah has hosted a women’s retreat for Rosh Hodesh Elul. For five years, the same three women, along with Rabbi Vered Harris, have come together to plan it. The women — Hedy Goldman, Judy Kass and Maureen Salz — each play a different role in making the event a success.
The Rosh Hodesh Elul Women’s Retreat — “Return to Sacred Places,” will be a time for women to prepare for the High Holidays. It begins at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30, at Congregation Beth Torah. It is open to the community, costing $18 for members and $22 for non-members.
The title comes from artwork that Salz saw in Arizona of a Native American woman walking in a field. She was so spiritually touched by the subject, she bought it. Now the title is the call to bring women together.
“For me this retreat is the beginning of the High Holiday season,” said Rabbi Harris. “It gives me the time to prepare for everything as a woman, rabbi, mother and wife, as well as a guest.”
“Rosh Hodesh is traditionally a holiday associated with women,” she said, “and Elul is the month for preparing our souls for the High Holy Days.”
She believes the artwork chosen for the invitation touches on this.
“It captures for us what we are doing in Rosh Hodesh Elul,” Rabbi Harris said. “We are returning to the essence of our souls in preparation for the New Year and the rebirth of Yom Kippur.”
The first retreat came about as a way to go back to the tradition of celebrating Rosh Hodesh for women and to ensure spiritual time for the New Year. Twenty-five women attended the first retreat, which was an all day event. Last year, more than 40 women attended. Originally it was an all-day event, but in 2009 organizers found that holding it in the evening made it available to more people. While the event is a little shorter, it still gives the women a chance to gain inspiration from each other as well as enjoy each other’s company.
“Taking it from daytime to evening seems to have really made a difference for women to be able to participate,” Rabbi Harris said.
Now the four women who plan the event have the program set, each one playing an important role.
“Hedy makes everything beautiful. She is the supreme hostess. Maureen keeps us on track; she keeps us organized. And Judy keeps us real and her art work keeps us inspired,” said Rabbi Harris. “We all bring to the table a lot of laughter and humor.”
While Rabbi Harris says it is the three volunteers who keep the event going, Salz sees it differently, “If not for Vered we would not have this event. She makes it!”
Three core elements are important to the retreat. The first is discussion among the women about topics that help them get to know each other. This is held over a festive meal. In the past a caterer prepared the meal, but this year the theme is Jewish foods from around the year. The meal will represent each holiday with a different food, some prepared in the Ashkenazi style, others in the Sephardic traditions. Volunteers are doing the cooking.
Second is gentle, meditative yoga, a way to sooth the body and mind as women get ready to prepare for the hectic time the holidays bring. Shanna Haun leads the yoga, which is designed so that everyone can participate, with some poses done while sitting in chairs. The yoga is optional, since it starts at 4:30 pm, but they are hoping everyone will be able to participate this year and realize that it is not intended to be strenuous, but relaxing.
Finally, the women participate in a prayer service led by Rabbi Harris and Linda Matorin Sweenie, Beth Torah’s music director.
“Worship is always a highlight for me,” said Rabbi Harris. “Although it is an evening service, and not a time when we would traditionally read Torah, we always include a Torah service at the women’s retreat. This is a time when women who have never worn a tallit are invited to … learn to put one on.”
“We raise our voices,” she said. “We pray, really pray, from the depths of who we are. It’s beautiful.”
For further information call Rabbi Harris at (913) 498-2212.