Bais Chana Women International

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Bais Chana Women International is a Chabad non-profit organization that works to provide an environment for Jewish girls and women, ages 15 and up and from all backgrounds, to explore Jewish teachings and traditions. [1] [2]

Contents

Overview

Bais Chana's founding was inspired and motivated by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson's support of Jewish education for all women. [3] In 1971, its first home was opened in the Twin Cities, Minnesota. [3]

In 1991 the organization began diversifying its program to include shorter retreat segments in locations around the world. [3] Women of all ages and little or no formal background in Jewish traditions have taken part in these educational retreats, which include classes, group study, private tutoring and mentoring. [3]

The full class schedule [3] explores life as a Jewish woman, comprising discussion and in-depth study of Hasidic texts, Torah, prayer, Bible commentary, Midrash, Maimonides, Kabbalah, Talmud and more; and incorporating hands-on projects such as challah baking. The rotating teaching staff features Bais Chana's co-founder, Rabbi Manis Friedman. [3] [4] [5]

Under the direction of Mrs. Hinda Leah Sharfstein, Bais Chana is now headquartered in New York and has further expanded to include three annual sessions at an array of venues across the United States, including learning retreats for couples, the Snorkel and Study Program, and The Jewish Un-Camp. [3] [6]

Anthropologist Lynn Davidman performed fieldwork for her doctoral dissertation at Bais Chana. The results of her study have been published in her book Tradition in a Rootless World: Women Turn to Orthodox Judaism (UC Press, 1993). Davidman found that the majority of young women at Bais Chana were there to fill a void in their lives, and were hoping to find an Orthodox husband and begin a family, and that "strong boundaries" were established "between the [Chabad] religious group and the outside." [10]

See also

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References

  1. Great Nonprofits, 2010, ", May 26, 2010
  2. Bais Chana International, 2009, Archived 2011-07-23 at the Wayback Machine ". June 8, 2010
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Bais Chana International, 2005-2010, "Bais Chana International, Extraordinary Jewish Learning - About Us". Archived from the original on 2010-05-04. Retrieved 2010-05-26.", May 26, 2010.
  4. Philadelphia Jewish Exponent Staff. "Women Study: A traveling educational program engages women in a deeper perspective of their Jewish tradition". Rpt on Chabad.org on Mar 5 1999. Chabad-Lubavitch Media Center. 2001-2010 "
  5. Chabad-Lubavitch Media Center. 2001-2010. "
  6. Olidort, Baila. "The Fifth Commandment ". July 29, 2002. Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch Inc. 2009."
  7. Chabad.org Staff. "High School Girls Gather for Thanksgiving Retreat in Northern New Jersey". Nov 30 2007. Chabad-Lubavitch Media Center. 2001-2010."
  8. Lakein, Dvora. "Into the Depths: Jewish Women Find Self Through Study and Snorkel". Jan 12 2009. Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch Inc. "
  9. Hecht, Mimi. "At the Un-Camp, Girls Explore Their Jewish Identities". July 20, 2007. Chabad-Lubavitch Media Center. 2001-2010. "
  10. Zumwalt, Rosemary Levy (Summer 1995). "Book Reviews Tradition in a Rootless World". The Journal of American Folklore. 108 (429): 370–372. doi:10.2307/541895. JSTOR   541895.