Dear Leaders,

There is power in numbers. When we work together in unison, we are more than just the sum of our parts. And that is part of the beauty of these gatherings and study groups: learning from each other and joining together to reach higher.

In this week’s Torah portion, G‑d promises to redeem the Jewish people from their crushing enslavement in Egypt. In this study packet, we take a look at how to break free from enslaving behaviors and compulsive habits. What triggers us to keep on doing the same things, over and over, even though we end up in the same negative place each time? Is there something deeper that is feeding our craving? Why do we get pulled into dysfunctional relationships and habits and is there a way to rise above the chaos?

Please share with us your thoughts on what you feel is imprisoning and how someone can break free.

Wishing you a wonderful gathering,

Chana Weisberg,

Editor, TJW

Dear Leaders,

From our inbox: I have a dream!...that the weekly study group packet is front and center on the website, easily seen and accessible when opening the home page. Is it possible to do this as it is such an important initiative this year? It's fantastic, we are loving it.

I am thrilled to hear that you love this initiative! These packets will be on our homepage, but you can also subscribe to TheJewishWoman and get them delivered every Sunday to your inbox: www.chabad.org/TJWlist

This week, we continue on to the second book of the Torah, the Book of Exodus. Stay with us and we hope, G‑d willing, to finish studying all five books of the Torah!

In this study packet we examine the topic of despair. Despair sets in when our situation seems hopeless; we feel desperate and don’t see any way out. What we are not taking into account in such moments is that G‑d is running our world and He has a master plan for us, that will ultimately be good.

This week we read a personal story about how the Rebbe infused hope and meaning into a teenager who despaired of his father ever recovering. Even after his father passed away, the boy took the Rebbe’s message to heart and it invigorated him in his darkest hours. We also learn courage from a young girl in Egypt, Miriam, Moses’ sister, who refused to give in to despair despite the terrible bleakness of her situation.

How about you? Have you had a time in your life when it would have been natural to let the feelings of despair overtake you? How did you rebel against despair and instead infuse meaning and purpose into your situation? Please share with us! We can become strengthened from each other’s life lessons.

Wishing you a week of joy and hope.

Chana Weisberg,

Editor, TJW

Dear Leader,

Sometimes, we are hesitant to undertake something we know is positive. We may even have valid excuses for not following through with it.

We received this feedback from one woman’s Hakhel gathering, who despite her misgivings, just dived right in: “I was hesitant to host in my current residence because of the small size. So I put temporary tables together in my living room space and invited a family of three—including a teenage boy. We were 5 people altogether. I loved it. Thanks again for the invitation and encouragement.”

If you haven’t started your gathering, now is your chance! If you have, think about how you can make them even better!

In this week’s study packet, we discuss what make us passionate. What are our priorities and how does our schedule reflect that? In the myriad responsibilities of the daily grind, do we ever stop to think about what are our life goals?

There are times that we experience a life-changing event that gives us pause and makes us stop from our busyness to really reflect on what is truly important to us. How can we ensure that the shift in our priorities is lasting?

This week, we explore a lesson from this week’s Torah portion in which Jacob teaches us a profound lesson on setting our priorities straight and directing our passion purposefully. We also learn a lesson from how the Rebbe greeted a young girl who had broken her arm. And finally, we learn about priorities from a pot of Shabbat cholent.

Wishing you a great week—full of great priorities—and a wonderful gathering,

Chana Weisberg,

Editor, TJW

P.S. Sign up to TheJewishWoman.org to receive this weekly packet in your email: www.chabad.org/TJWlist

Dear Leader,

Sometimes, we are hesitant to undertake something we know is positive. We may even have valid excuses for not following through with it.

We received this feedback from one woman’s Hakhel gathering, who despite her misgivings, just dived right in: “I was hesitant to host in my current residence because of the small size. So I put temporary tables together in my living room space and invited a family of three—including a teenage boy. We were 5 people altogether. I loved it. Thanks again for the invitation and encouragement.”

If you haven’t started your gathering, now is your chance! If you have, think about how you can make them even better!

In this week’s study packet, we discuss what make us passionate. What are our priorities and how does our schedule reflect that? In the myriad responsibilities of the daily grind, do we ever stop to think about what are our life goals?

There are times that we experience a life-changing event that gives us pause and makes us stop from our busyness to really reflect on what is truly important to us. How can we ensure that the shift in our priorities is lasting?

This week, we explore a lesson from this week’s Torah portion in which Jacob teaches us a profound lesson on setting our priorities straight and directing our passion purposefully. We also learn a lesson from how the Rebbe greeted a young girl who had broken her arm. And finally, we learn about priorities from a pot of Shabbat cholent.

Wishing you a great week—full of great priorities—and a wonderful gathering,

Chana Weisberg,

Editor, TJW

P.S. Sign up to TheJewishWoman.org to receive this weekly packet in your email: www.chabad.org/TJWlist

Dear Leaders,

I love to hear how your study groups are working out. Please drop me a line to share your thoughts.

This week, we explore the topic of dreams.

Conceptually, every one of us is a dreamer. We dream about our goals and aspirations. We dream, too, about what we don’t want our life to become. We look toward our future and wonder if our dreams will ever materialize.

But though we all have dreams and hopes, we need to ask ourselves how much effort we are actually investing to turn our dreams into reality.

What about our world as a whole? Does G‑d have a “dream” of what He’d like to see our world become? What are we each contributing in our day-to-day activities to help make that a reality?

In this packet, we explore G‑d’s divine dream for our world. We also contrast Pharaoh’s dreams from this week’s Torah portion with Joseph’s dreams to discover an important lesson. As well, we share a story of an individual who told his dream to the Rebbe. The Rebbe’s interpretation of the dream teaches us so much about what is required of each of us in our own lives. And finally, we explore a question and answer about a very vivid dream.

Do you have a dream or a goal? How do you follow your dreams? Please share with us!

Wishing you a wonderful gathering,

Chana Weisberg,

Editor, TJW