The Moise Safra Center in New York was abuzz earlier this month as nearly 140 young professional women representing a diverse spectrum of hashkafot gathered for social and spiritual enrichment at the Orthodox Union’s Emerging Career Professionals event, Women’s Unight—Kumzitz Connection Cocktail Hour.
Geared toward Orthodox singles, couples and young parents who are post-college through their late 30s, ECP strives to create opportunities for emerging career professionals to live vibrant Jewish lives connected to the community, via chessed, learning, social events, advocacy and professional networking opportunities.
“The post-college demographic is highly diverse, encompassing individuals at various life stages who are seeking a wide range of programming options,” says OU Emerging Career Professionals director Sarah Proops. “Our mission is to fill those spaces currently lacking existing programming infrastructures, while helping people to find their place within the Orthodox community.”
The community-building event, run in partnership with the Upper East Side’s Moise Safra Center and Fleishigs magazine, attracted women from across the tristate area, like Maya Langer of New York’s Washington Heights neighborhood. “This event was a great opportunity for me to meet other women in a similar life stage, in a fun, exciting setting,” she says.
Proops says the ECP decided to make its first major event exclusively for women. “While men often have opportunities for onegs, concerts or farbrengens, women don’t have as many access points for inspiration and connection,” she says, noting that an event for men will be held in the future.
The elegant Fleishigs magazine cocktail hour showcased drinks and appetizers from upscale local restaurants, including Tabernacle Steakhouse, Wolf & Lamb Steakhouse, Wall Street Grill, Fish Grill, Sen Sakana and MG Craft Kitchen, and offered the women in attendance a forum to connect with friends old and new.
Lauren Sorscher of Manhattan’s Upper West Side appreciated Women Unight’s mix of inspiration, music and community.
“The cocktail hour was the highlight for me,” she says. “It was relaxed, fun, and a great opportunity to connect with other women.”
The second part of the evening featured an uplifting kumzitz, led by Sorah Shaffren, a renowned singer and guitarist who leads inspiring women’s programs throughout the Jewish community. Influencers Tzipora Grodko, a psychotherapist and host of Meaningful Minute’s “Stories of Hope” podcast, Rebbetzin Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt, journalist and co-founder (with her husband, Rabbi Benjamin Goldschmidt) of The Altneu Shul, and Rachie Shnay, speaker and founder of Rachie Shnay Jewelry, introduced uplifting songs with words of chizuk, inspiration.
In her remarks prior to the song B’Shem Hashem, “In the name of God,” Grodko touched upon God’s presence even in dark times. Chizhik-Goldschmidt related that the song Bilvavi to people’s deep connections with Israel despite their geographical distances; and Shnay linked the song Vehi Sheamda, “Which has sustained,” to a relative who perished in the Holocaust, after whom she is named, and highlighted the advocacy work she carries out in her memory.
“A spiritual highlight for me was definitely the kumzitz with Sorah Shaffren,” says Langer. “A room full of women singing was really inspiring, and it was an uplifting experience.”
Zeva Adlesberg of Englewood, N.J., was part of the evening’s planning committee and equally moved by the kumzitz. “I particularly enjoyed looking around and seeing others singing and connecting alongside me,” she says. “Music can be a form of tefillah, and it was so special to be able to spiritually connect through song.”
Proops is proud of the overwhelmingly positive feedback she has received since the event, which focused on ECP’s core goal of providing emerging career professionals with a meaningful opportunity to connect with God and the community.
“It was so special to see women from all different walks of life come together,” reflects Malki Jonas, an event participant from Queens, N.Y. “The event brought participants closer to one another and to Hashem. I see ECP doing many more great things. It’s incredible to be a part of it.”
Rabbi Josh Ross, managing director of the OU’s collegiate and young professionals division, says the evening embodied the department’s mission to foster meaningful connections for this demographic within the community.
“The event brought together young professional women in a beautiful setting that fostered both social bonds and spiritual growth,” he says. “We’re deeply encouraged by the enthusiastic response and are committed to expanding these opportunities for connection and inspiration in the months ahead.”