It’s that time of year again. Jewish men and women worldwide are charged with a mission: take stock of your spiritual inventory. Face your flaws; set goals; make resolutions. But in the freneticism of our daily lives, does it really happen? Do we manage to prepare ourselves before meeting the King—or do we stumble into shul on Yomim Noraim empty-handed?

Ohr Naava—the legendary worldwide network of Jewish women’s education founded in memory of Naava Katlowitz a”h—has once again stepped up to the plate. Galvanized by Rabbi Zechariah Wallerstein, its beloved founder and director,  the innovative organization launched its first Avinu Malkeinu evening of inspiration eight years ago, offering women of the tri-state area a transformative, large-scale event of awakening. Since that hugely popular start, attendance at the gathering has shot up each year, and Avinu Malkeinu has been duplicated in nearly every major Jewish community across America—including Los Angeles.

“People were thirsting for this kind of program,” says Avivit Mikhli, Ohr Naava’s Director of Operations. “It provides the impetus—the drive—you need to engage in real change.”

This year, the Los Angeles Avinu Malkeinu event will take place on Wednesday, August 28 in the Nessah Synagogue, sponsored l’iluy nishmas Mrs. Avigayil Rechnitz a”h. The legendary wife, mother and

community doer who revived the Ladies Bikur Cholim and spent her days steeped in chessed, Avigayil was the driving force behind LA’s very first Avinu Malkeinu event three years ago—and it’s therefore particularly fitting that the evening of inspiration will be dedicated in her memory.

Doors are scheduled to open at 7:30 pm, followed by the program—open to both men and women—at 8:00, featuring two internationally-renowned speakers known for hard-hitting, riveting presentations: Rabbi Zechariah Wallerstein and and Mr. Charlie Harary.

“For many women, it’s become a mainstay of their Yom Tov preparation,” says Sarit Rubinstein of the event. “They won’t go into Yom Kippur without it.”

Parallel Avinu Malkeinu events are scheduled in Baltimore, Lakewood, Toronto, Monsey, and Yerushalayim, all spotlighting dynamic speakers who masterfully combine charisma and content, including Rabbi Paysach Krohn, Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis, Rabbanit Yemima Mizrachi, Rabbi Moshe Tuvia Lieff, and of course, Rabbi Wallerstein. (With the exception of the Baltimore, LA, and Toronto gatherings, where the entire program is open to men, the events are for women only.)

For women in all other locations worldwide, the Brooklyn and Israel programs can be viewed live from the comfort of their own home, or at a satellite location arranged in advance with Ohr Naava. For more information about the event call 323.899.5390 or visit www.ohrnaavaevents.com