Remember the uplifting Tisha B’Av gatherings you once had in camp? Remember the inspiration, the intensity, the passion and the yearning? For the past 15 years Lakewood women and girls have been privy to their own unique Tisha B’Av experience at the annual Women’s Kinas Gathering held in the Yeshiva K’tana Hall, and now available to listeners everywhere by phone.
The origin of the Tisha B’Av program came in the wake of the sudden petira of Chaya Goldie Stein in 2001 at the young age of 13. Reeling from the unimaginable pain of losing her daughter without sickness or warning, Chaya Goldie’s mother, Mrs. Baila Stein, decided she wanted to do something important to commemorate the memory of the young girl whom she describes as “full of goodness and chein (charm).” But it wasn’t until several weeks later, around Shiva B’Osser Tammuz that she hit upon the idea of holding a women’s Tisha B’Av Kinas Gathering which, she felt sure, would hasten the arrival of Moshiach.
Miraculously within only 3 weeks everything fell into place. Mrs. Stein, together with Mrs. Baila Leshinsky, a former teacher of Chaya Goldie, swiftly made all the necessary arrangements for the first event that was held at the Capital Hotel and attracted some 70-80 people, far more than the two women anticipated. As the Gathering continued to grow over the years, it changed locations several times before it put down roots 10 years ago in Yeshiva K’tana, a setting that is big enough to hold the 4-500 women and girls who attend.
Ask the opinion of anyone who’s ever been there and you’ll hear words like “amazing,” “awesome” and “motivational.” Featuring yearly seven leading mechanchos and other talented speakers, each explaining and expounding upon the kinah of her choice, the event gives new meaning and insight to the recitation of kinas on Tisha B’Av, an area that is largely unfamiliar to most women. Visit the grandeur of the Bais Hamikdosh and the enormity of its loss; view the horror of the Crusades and other calamities in our history; and begin to understand the tragedy of the Asora Harugei Malchus. The selected kinas, which are also read aloud in unison, hereby become the spring-board for a wider exposition on the theme of loss, mourning and longing, with each shiur presenting a masterpiece.
But don’t worry if you can’t come for all seven lectures. While women with grown children and high school girls usually manage to put in a full morning, the program is so arranged in separate units to enable women waiting for their husbands to return from shul and others who are “switching-off” with their older daughters to come for one speech or more.
And if you can’t come at all, don’t worry! You’ll still be able to hear all the fantastic shiurim by calling the “Inspire by Wire” phone-line for live access or for recordings the whole day. Truthfully, it’s a great “second best.” All the same, there’s no substitute for the achdus, the ahavas Yisroel and the spiritual momentum that’s reached while sitting on the floor with hundreds of other like-minded women of all ages, waiting for Moshiach to come.
THE 2016 WOMEN’S TISHA B’AV KINAS GATHERING WILL BE HELD AT YESHIVA K’TANA HALL, 120 2ND STREET FROM 10.15 -1.15
Parking will be available in the Municipal lot on Lexington Ave, across the street from the NJT station.
Bring a stool/crate if you are not comfortable sitting on the floor.
FOR DIAL-IN COVERAGE CALL INSPIRE BY WIRE 732 806 8139
For live access select opt 9 then 9
For a recorded shiur (all day) select 4 then 8 then 4#
For more information or to help sponsor this event, please call Mrs. B. Stein at 732 370 0609
L’ullei nishmas Chaya Golda bas Harav Shmuel Zalman shlit”a.
{Matzav.com}
