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BY LYNNE MEREDITH SCHREIBER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANGIE BAAN
n a cold January
Sunday, 415 women
gathered at The Shul
in West Bloomfield,
around cloth-covered tables
arranged as if for a wedding
reception.
There were items for auction
and a dessert table by Southfield
party planner Linda Klein, with
fondant-iced cakes and wedding-
cake-shaped cookies. Winter's
white-gray light seeped through
tall windows. Flowers decorated
the stage, and tall crystal center-
pieces held lavender mums.
Lights dimmed, and models
walked along a quilted, white
runway, under a gold brocade
chuppah, wearing bangles,
sequins, delicate beading and
feather-soft satin — bridal fash-
ions from biblical days to the
present.
The historical fashion show —
Jewish Brides Through the Ages
and Around the World — was the
brainchild of Miriam Hurwitz, of
Crown Heights, N.Y. Hurwitz
traveled the world learning about
bridal traditions, then sewed cos-
tumes and wrote a show about
unique women.
"It's a nice way to spend the
afternoon," said Pia Katz, of
Southfield. "We're always com-
plaining there's nothing to do!"
Guest speaker Chaya Teldon,
from Long Island, N.Y., shared
mother-in-law humor and infor-
mation about Jewish marriage.
"There is no such thing as an
ugly bride," said Teldon. "The
Shekinah — God's very essence
— rests on the bride's face. She is
veiled to hide the aura."
Chaya Sora Silberberg, rebbet-
zin of Bais Chabad Torah Center,
presented Rochel Kagan with the
Eishes Chayil award, "in honor of
those who bring brides to the
chuppah ... a role model for
Jewish women." Kagan is a past
president of Lubavitch Women's
Organization (LWO). LWO
planned the program, "to unite,
strengthen and invigorate women
with a positive, Jewish message."
"People don't realize how
important the woman is to the
fulfillment of the obligations that
Hashem set forward," said emcee
Shari Kaufman.
LWO president Miriam
Amzalak was "amazed at the
turnout. We'd like to use it as a
stepping stone for future pro-
grams."
"There's a magic to brides,"
said Itty Shemtov, rebbetzin of
The Shul.
Participants raved about the
program. They told Shemtov that
they felt connected to the past
and excited to be with "so many
Jewish women in one room at one
time."
Five Chabad organizations,
Birmingham-Bloomfield Chai
Center, Friends of Refugees of
Eastern Europe, The Shul,
BBYO-Michigan Regional B'nai
B'rith Girls and the Jewish News
also sponsored the gathering.
Top row, left to right: Shari Ferber Kaufman and Bassi Shemtov, Celia and Shosana Braver. Bottom row: Eden and Cheryl Litt, Marissa and Lauren Neuman.
20 • FEBRUARY 2003 • STYLE AT THE JN