Bais Chana Women International
Encyclopedia
Bais Chana Women International is a Chabad non-profit organization that works to provide a non-judgmental, supportive environment for Jewish girls and women, ages 15 and up and from all backgrounds, to explore Jewish teachings and traditions.
Bais Chana’s founding was inspired and motivated by the Lubavitcher
Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson
's support of Jewish education for all women. In 1971, its first home was opened in the Twin Cities, Minnesota. Bais Chana's popularity quickly grew, and in 1991 the organization began diversifying its program to include shorter retreat segments in locations around the world. Thousands of 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. The full class schedule explores life as a Jewish woman through hands-on projects such as challah
baking, along with discussions and in-depth study of Hasidic
texts, Torah
, prayer, Bible commentary, Midrash
, Maimonides
, Kabbalah
, Talmud
and more. The rotating teaching staff is headlined by internationally acclaimed educator, and Bais Chana's co-founder, Rabbi Manis Friedman
. 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 and attractions across the United States, including learning retreats for couples, the Snorkel and Study Program, and The Jewish Un-Camp. Throughout the year there are small-scale retreats around the United States such as the Thanksgiving Retreat that was held in Morristown, NJ for High School girls in 2007. The Snorkel and Study Program, which began in January 2006, is held annually in Key Largo, Florida, and attended by up to 90 female students from campuses around the world. The Un-Camp is geared towards teens, and participants discuss topics such as "prayer, science, mitzvahs, self-image, relationships, happiness, life and death, the Jewish belief in the Messiah, the soul," and more while participating in traditional summer camp activities. There is also an online audio library.
Bais Chana’s founding was inspired and motivated by the Lubavitcher
Chabad
Chabad or Chabad-Lubavitch is a major branch of Hasidic Judaism.Chabad may also refer to:*Chabad-Strashelye, a defunct branch of the Chabad school of Hasidic Judaism*Chabad-Kapust or Kapust, a defunct branch of the Chabad school of Hasidic Judaism...
Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson
Menachem Mendel Schneerson
Menachem Mendel Schneerson , known as the Lubavitcher Rebbe or just the Rebbe among his followers, was a prominent Hasidic rabbi who was the seventh and last Rebbe of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement. He was fifth in a direct paternal line to the third Chabad-Lubavitch Rebbe, Menachem Mendel...
's support of Jewish education for all women. In 1971, its first home was opened in the Twin Cities, Minnesota. Bais Chana's popularity quickly grew, and in 1991 the organization began diversifying its program to include shorter retreat segments in locations around the world. Thousands of 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. The full class schedule explores life as a Jewish woman through hands-on projects such as challah
Challah
Challah also khale ,, berches , barkis , bergis , chałka , vánočka , zopf and kitke , is a special braided bread eaten on...
baking, along with discussions and in-depth study of Hasidic
Hasidic Judaism
Hasidic Judaism or Hasidism, from the Hebrew —Ḥasidut in Sephardi, Chasidus in Ashkenazi, meaning "piety" , is a branch of Orthodox Judaism that promotes spirituality and joy through the popularisation and internalisation of Jewish mysticism as the fundamental aspects of the Jewish faith...
texts, Torah
Torah
Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five...
, prayer, Bible commentary, Midrash
Midrash
The Hebrew term Midrash is a homiletic method of biblical exegesis. The term also refers to the whole compilation of homiletic teachings on the Bible....
, Maimonides
Maimonides
Moses ben-Maimon, called Maimonides and also known as Mūsā ibn Maymūn in Arabic, or Rambam , was a preeminent medieval Jewish philosopher and one of the greatest Torah scholars and physicians of the Middle Ages...
, Kabbalah
Kabbalah
Kabbalah/Kabala is a discipline and school of thought concerned with the esoteric aspect of Rabbinic Judaism. It was systematized in 11th-13th century Hachmei Provence and Spain, and again after the Expulsion from Spain, in 16th century Ottoman Palestine...
, Talmud
Talmud
The Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism. It takes the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history....
and more. The rotating teaching staff is headlined by internationally acclaimed educator, and Bais Chana's co-founder, Rabbi Manis Friedman
Manis Friedman
Manis Friedman is a Chabad Lubavitch Hassid. He is a Torah scholar, rabbi, author, counselor and speaker and is the dean of the Bais Chana Institute of Jewish Studies....
. 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 and attractions across the United States, including learning retreats for couples, the Snorkel and Study Program, and The Jewish Un-Camp. Throughout the year there are small-scale retreats around the United States such as the Thanksgiving Retreat that was held in Morristown, NJ for High School girls in 2007. The Snorkel and Study Program, which began in January 2006, is held annually in Key Largo, Florida, and attended by up to 90 female students from campuses around the world. The Un-Camp is geared towards teens, and participants discuss topics such as "prayer, science, mitzvahs, self-image, relationships, happiness, life and death, the Jewish belief in the Messiah, the soul," and more while participating in traditional summer camp activities. There is also an online audio library.