בס''ד
Life is made up of
experiences. Some we enjoy very much and other experiences, well we can just
live without. Yesterday, I experienced pure pleasure.
Some background:
Around a year ago, a few English
speaking women who are early risers, would log on to Facebook, inviting their
friends to join them for a virtual cup of coffee and a chat.
One of the women took the
morning chat one step further and created a Facebook secret women’s group
called Coffee Talk and posted an invitation to join.
And so new relationships and
friendships were formed and our membership grew to thirty three English
speaking women who, the majority are olim. We discovered
that our group has olim who are new...two years and veteran olim.... thirty,
forty and more years.
During this past summer I was
postings with another Coffee Talk member and suggested we have a get together. We invited the other members in our group to post their opinion on the idea. Everyone liked the idea and we started a
discussion on when and where.
The date chosen was Oct. 10th
at 10:00a.m. at Café Café in Center One.
Yesterday, I had the privilege
to meet ten fascinating women. We did a round table introduction and spoke about ourselves,
our families, our aliyah and dreams for the future.
We learned about serious
health issues and how these amazing women overcame their “handicaps.” One woman read a beautiful and meaningful poem that she lives by.
Another wanted to celebrate
with her friends a Seuda Hodoyah. Her sheer determination to recover from a
very serious illness, that the doctors had said would kill her, but instead, her recovery made
medical history. This exceptional woman
read a moving and emotional piece that she wrote about her illness and feelings.
We wanted our gathering to be
special, not just women getting together to meet and chat. We decided to end our get together saying
Tehillim for people, who for different reasons required prayers.
The Tehillim was divided up. I am sure that
Hashem, seeing eleven women each saying their section of the Tehillim together with devotion,
moved the Heaven. May Hashem grant His
Brachot to each person.
And may Hashem also shower
the amazing women I met today with Brachot.
Miriam
Post Script: One of the ladies of Coffee Talk manages a fund for needy Brides in Netivot. Please have a look at her link... http://www.gofundme.com/1cfr8o
Post Script: One of the ladies of Coffee Talk manages a fund for needy Brides in Netivot. Please have a look at her link... http://www.gofundme.com/1cfr8o
...and now we are all looking forward to coming together down south, perhaps Hanukah?
ReplyDeleteMiriam, thanks for being the first to post about it. You were part of a three generation delegation to the f2f.
ReplyDeleteIt was very thrilling meeting up in person. Everyone seems larger than life.
Beautiful, Miriam! What a pleasure to finally meet you -- using hip Batya's expression -- "f2f."
ReplyDeleteI think that would be wonderful, Risa! Time to start planning. On a Sunday?
Miriam we remarked to each other as we were leaving that the Internet CAN be kosher. You simply bring kosher intentions to it and off ya go! What an experience to resonate with all the attendees and the women who wanted to be with us in J'lm today. We prayed together, blessed each other and dropped some jaws as we learned each other's personal stories. I once posted this comment to United with Israel's page and it so, so, so applies to the Coffee Talkers: "Israel is so beautiful physically, spiritually, ethereally. The pulse of life emanates from the land of life: humanity was launched on the word of GOD, still whispering, singing, roaring and soaring in the sea, sky and air. Israel tells the story." So did the ladies at this event!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! It's kind of amazing to read a blog post and to know intimately what it is about.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't of put it better. It was a wonderful (exhausting) day that needs a repeat. Chanukah sounds great, I just have to check the kds schedule.
ReplyDeleteMiriam, I am so delighted that we had the opportunity to meet in person. There is nothing like "f2f" for social interaction, developing friendships, reading a person's facial expressions adds depth and warmth and true meaning behind simple words on a page. I was very blessed to meet each special woman and look forward to meeting the rest of our group. I lift my cup of coffee in L'Chaim to all of you!
ReplyDeleteWell written as everything you write, Miriam! I feel honored to belong to such an amazing group of exceptional ladies! It's a joy- pure and simple! May Hashem bless each and every one of you and may we share many simchas together!
ReplyDeleteI want to add thanks to Chaya Golda Ovadia for helping create the group, and express condolences to her on the passing of her father.
ReplyDeleteShalom!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about all of you... G-d willing I'll be in the south for part of Hanuka. Facebook chats just aren't the real thing.
Sounds like a wonderful experience. It is truly amazing where we can find friends, if only we take the initiative to look and take the first step.
ReplyDeletecongratulations!
Stan and Helen
Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteCheryll
Thank-you so much everyone for your wonderful comments. It was truly and amazing experience. May we only share joyful outtings together.
ReplyDeleteMiriam