Sometimes we recognize a need and think to ourselves that something needs to be done. Esther Rybakov discovered a real need and stepped forward to make a difference. She started a platform on Instagram, which she named Jewffirmations, for women to find inspiration and strengthen their bitachon and connection to Hashem.
In one of her posts, she asked women what they struggled with most, and many shared that they felt overwhelmed by having so many things to do and not enough time. They felt a lack of time, money, resources, etc. They also shared that they didn’t have enough time to connect to Hashem. Esther noticed that the overarching problem was a feeling of lack.
Through her own healing and transformation journey, Esther discovered that Hashem doesn’t want us to live in this state of mind. She spent a sleepless night thinking about what she could do to change things for women, and she decided to create a retreat with the goal of helping women connect to Hashem and recharge.
Esther, who has a master’s degree in occupational therapy, shared that she has done a great deal of self-work. She worked on inner-child healing and mindset shifts. Through extensive courses, she studied self-growth, transformation, and mindset work. Combining Torah, psychology, and neuroscience, Esther created programs and workshops for women to improve their emotional and spiritual lives.
The retreats take place in Monsey, at a relative’s residence, a large home with a pool in a beautiful, wooded setting. The house is situated near the Ribnitzer’s kever. Rabbi Chaim Zanvil Abramowitz zt”l was a Holocaust survivor who was known as the Mal’ach, or angel. He escaped from the Nazis and dedicated his life in America to helping others.
Esther shared some of the activities at the retreat. The retreat begins with davening at the Rebbe’s kever. Esther tells the women stories about the Ribnitzer there, and it is an opportune time to daven about whatever is weighing on them. They also write a kvitel, a letter, to place at the kever.
Next, they take a walk through the scenic area of Monsey. The nature walk enhances the experience and gives the women an opportunity to connect with one another.
The women then enjoy a delicious breakfast and, later, lunch, at a beautifully set table in the house. They also enjoy swimming in the large private pool.
This is followed by a workshop led by Esther that focuses on inner-script healing. She guides women through a transformational, Torah-centered experience designed to uncover their limiting beliefs, heal old inner narratives, and reconnect with who they really are. She leads the women through guided reflection, visualization, journaling, and powerful affirmations. She provides emotional-healing tools that also strengthen emunah and connection to Hashem.
The retreat provides a warm, supportive space. Esther allows women to look inward, recognize negative patterns, and begin to rewrite their inner scripts from a place of self-worth, faith, and possibility.
The retreat is held once a month, and the group size is limited to allow for an intimate experience.
Esther receives a great deal of positive feedback from attendees. Women who attended reported that they left feeling inspired, lighter, empowered, and deeply connected. They met new friends and reconnected with old ones. Some women who came with friends they already knew discovered many new layers to those friendships. The women leave the retreat with tools they can continue to use long after the experience is over.
Esther shared that before she could hold space for other women, she had to learn how to hold space for herself. “My journey has been one of healing, learning, and coming home to myself, and most importantly, to Hashem… I realized I wanted to create the kind of space I once needed, a place where women could feel seen, supported, inspired – and connect to themselves and Hashem. And that is how Jewffirmations Retreats were born.”
Esther shared how she has watched women take transformational steps forward. They went on to make meaningful changes in their lives, and some even created gatherings of their own.
One attendee went on to create an event about the power of speech.
Esther shared, “I want women to tap into their full potential.” Her goal is to help women uncover their own gifts so they can then help others.
Esther is looking forward to creating more events and workshops in the community. She hopes to continue providing a safe space where women and teens can connect, heal, and transform into their best selves.
To find out more information, you can email Esther at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Follow @jewffirmations on Instagram for more content and information about upcoming events.
By Susie Garber