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NISHMAT NEWSNISHMAT - THE JEANIE SCHOTTENSTEIN CENTER FOR ADVANCED TORAH STUDY FOR WOMEN | WINTER 2014

NISHMAT ANNOUNCESVICE DEAN

Nishmat announced the appointment of Yoetzet Halacha Noa Lau, Moshe and Charlotte Green Scholar in Jewish Law, as Vice Dean of Nishmat. Rabbanit Lau has become a distinguished faculty member at Nishmat throughout her years of educating and guiding both Nishmat's Keren Ariel Yoetzet Halacha Program and Nishmat's Miriam Glaubach Center's U.S. Yoatzot Halacha Program. In addition to her responsibilities coordinating Keren Ariel, this year, Rabbanit Lau is teaching in each educational program, mentoring students, and joining Nishmat’s administration. In the 2015-16 school year, she will assume a full-time role as Vice Dean.

“The importance of the Yoatzot Halacha initiative is not only for women to study Torah and research Halacha. The goal is not to prove ‘we can do it too’— although we have. The objective of Yoatzot Halacha is to bring as women scholars

our perspective and broader understanding of women, our interpersonal expertise, and our 15 years of experience in the field into the halachic conversation. In addition to my role as Yoetzet Halacha, in my new position as Vice Dean, I aim to inspire

young women to delve into the depths of Torah, achieve greatness and become the next generation of leaders and role models in the Jewish world,” says Noa Lau.

"We've begun a ten-year trajectory to develop the next generation of Nishmat's leadership. Noa is one of today's finest scholars, and she is already shaping Nishmat's future," Rabbanit Chana Henkin commented.

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A MESSAGE FROMRABBANITHENKIN

Dear Friends,

During a recent visit to London, I was asked, "Are all your graduates Yoatzot Halacha?" Chuckling, I agreed that we do have a disproportionate number of leaders amongst Nishmat graduates: Jewish educators, Yoatzot Halacha, rebbetzins and lay leaders, all keeping Jewish life robust in their communities around the world.

Here in Israel, government agencies have sought out Nishmat's services. Teams of Nishmat Ethiopian-Israeli students are running sought-after Identity Seminars for hundreds of immigrant teens in schools throughout the country. Our graduates are making their way into the professional workforce at four times the national average for Ethiopian immigrants. We have completed the pilot-run of retraining courses for Israeli mikveh attendants, and are preparing for twenty such courses nationally next year, to reduce secular-religious tensions.

As I write, we are ending Stage One of our campus completion, including the finished Esther Kryss Bet Midrash. Please visit us! You will see a remarkable hub of scholarship, leadership, and nurture of Jewish life.

With Blessings from Jerusalem,

WORLDWIDE “SHABBAT PROJECT” IN PAT

With a goal of engaging Jews around the globe to observe one Shabbat together, Nishmat’s Community Outreach Program took part in the worldwide Shabbat Project on October 24-25, 2014. Over 150 members of the Pat neighborhood joined Nishmat for a community-wide candle lighting, Shabbat prayer service, and Shabbat Dinner. Women sang and danced together at candle lighting and shared what lighting means to them. Families who live just a building apart but never speak because of religious differences sat at the same tables for the meal. Nishmat’s work within the Pat community is helping to bring together the diverse community and, as one community member commented, “turn concrete walls into glass.”

EXPANDING IMPACT IN ISRAEL

CELEBRATE NISHMAT'S 25th

ANNIVERSARY IN NYCSunday, May 17, 2015

Dinner Honorees:Jeanie & Jay Schottenstein

The Flatow Family & Legacy of Alisa Flatow on her 20th Yartzeit

Rabbi Meir & Layaliza Soleveitchik

Keynote Address:Yoetzet Halacha

Rachelli Sprecher-Fraenkel

Contact info@afnishmat.org

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THE MONIQUE C. KATZ BET MIDRASH CHEVRATI DEDICATED

In 2014, Drs. Monique and Mordecai Katz dedicated Nishmat's forum for Jewish values and social responsibility, as The Monique C. Katz Bet Midrash Chevrati.

"I have always felt that learning Torah is critical to our understanding of what God wants of us; however, learning must change us in fundamental ways to take action to better our world. The Bet Midrash Chevrati mission is to open the eyes of Nishmat students to the fundamental issues in Jewish society today, to learn in depth what our tradition says about those issues and what our obligations are as Jews to remedy the problems. In addition to the in-depth text study about each subject, often guest speakers who are experts in the field present how this issue impacts Israeli society and Jewish life. My prayer is that as a result of this program, our students will have a much better understanding of the problems facing Israel today and how they and their families can help” says Dr. Monique Katz, Nishmat alumna and program benefactor.

MIDRESHET MASA - SEMINARS ON WHEELS With the backing of Israel's Ministry of Education, teams of Nishmat’s Ethiopian-Israeli students crisscrossed the country, leading Ethiopian-Israeli identity seminars for hundreds of teens in middle schools, high schools, and for groups of Sheirut Leumi (national service) volunteers. The program, entitled “Midreshet Masa”- Seminars on Wheels, imbues our students with self confidence in their own dual identity and empowers them to educate others. Torn between their deep cultural roots and immigrant identity on the one hand, and their desire to become part of mainstream Israel on the other, our students embark on an introspective journey at Nishmat which combines

Ethiopian Jewish heritage classes, mentorship with the program’s director and social worker, and guidance from a drama coach. Our students then set out to schools around the country to lead weekend seminars on identity for Ethiopian-Israeli teens and their peers. In 2014 alone, Nishmat students presented 27 Seminars to over 700 students. One school’s teens even formed a WhatsApp group with their Nishmat mentors to stay in touch throughout the year and seek their much appreciated advice.

Nishmat students leading identity seminars for teens around the country.

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Professional Development Around the Globe

For the past 25 years, Nishmat has been on the cutting edge of Jewish women’s scholarship and leadership development. This year, Nishmat held professional development seminars for Mikveh Attendants throughout Israel, Rebbetzins from around the world, and Yoatzot Halacha in North America.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR REBBETZINSFor years, synagogue rebbetzins around the world have expressed their pressing need for studies modeled on those of Yoatzot Halacha. In response, this past summer Nishmat inaugurated a Professional Development Course for Rebbetzins. The week-long program addressed many of the contemporary halachic issues being raised by their shul members and provided the rebbetzins with practical knowledge to bring back to their communities. Participants in the pilot course hailed from the USA, Israel, and China, including Rebbetzins Layaliza Soloveichik of New York's Spanish and Portugese Synagogue; Rachel Shandrovsky of Meira Academy, Paulo Alto, CA; Anne Sendor of Young Israel of Sharon, MA; Nishmat alumna Emily Hausman of Levite JCC in Los Angeles, CA; and Rachel Oser of Ohel Leah Synagogue in Hong Kong.

Following overwhelmingly positive response from participants, Nishmat is making the Professional Development Program an annual event! Mark your calendar for July 12-16, 2015. To register or for more information, contact office@nishmat.net. For sponsorship opportunities, please call Genene Kaye, 201-525-5101.

NATIONWIDE BALANIOT (MIKVEH ATTENDANT) TRAINING PROGRAMNishmat won the public tender of the Israel Ministry of Religious Affairs to run training courses for mikveh attendants across the country. The program seeks to sensitize attendants, most of whom are hareidi, to the needs of the range of women using the mikveh. The mikveh is one of the most private spaces in Jewish life, and women come with all sorts of personal ‘baggage’ to which the attendant must be sensitive. Women may be dealing with issues such as OCD, fear of water, past or current abuse, fertility issues, or treatment for serious illness. Attendants also must understand the needs of the average secular bride who comes to the mikveh only as a requirement to get married in Israel by the rabbinate. Each course is a series of ten sessions, and enrolls 25 attendants. The first three courses, held in the Shomron, Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem in 2014, won rave reviews from participants who appreciated the opportunity to broaden their knowledge and interpersonal skills. Yoetzet Halacha Rotem Glasser, who heads the initiative, has succeeded in developing a sense of shared goals with participants. Despite their initial skepticism, many are benefitting from the workshops on

Participants in the Professional Development Course for Rebbetzins

A session of the National Mikveh Attendant Training Program, led by Yoetzet Halacha Rotem Glasser

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sexuality, family planning, domestic violence, and secular-religious relations. Following the completion of the three “pilot” courses, Nishmat will scale up the program nationally, providing 20 courses (approximately 500 attendants) in 2015.

YOETZET HALACHA BRACHA RUTNER APPOINTED TO RCA COMMITTEEYoetzet Halacha Bracha Rutner was the first to take a community position in North America, becoming the Yoetzet of Riverdale Jewish Center, in New York in 2003. In addition, she is currently the Yoetzet Halacha of the Young Israel of North Woodmere, New York and of Kemp Mill Synagogue, in Maryland. As a prominent community leader and an address for Jewish women’s concerns in the United States, Rutner was recently appointed to the Rabbinical Council of America’s Committee for Review of Geirus Protocol and Standards (GPS). Rutner will work side by side with Rabbis and top professionals who are reviewing the current GPS conversion process to potentially introduce safeguards against possible abuses

"I am humbled to be on this committee with such wonderful, kind, sensitive people. We look forward to contributing to the future of klal Yisrael," says Rutner of her involvement on the committee.

ALUMNA SPOTLIGHT: NECHAMA PRICE TAKES THE HELM AT GPATSYoetzet Halacha Nechama Price is the new Director of the Stern College Graduate Program for Advanced Talmudic Studies (GPATS). Price is a graduate of the inaugural class of Nishmat's Miriam Glaubach Center's U.S. Yoatzot Halacha Fellows Program. Price is the Community Yoetzet for Englewood, Tenafly, and Long Branch, NJ.

"I'm overjoyed at the ability to teach and take on the leadership of GPATS. It is such an important program and as a graduate, I am committed to its success. My goal is to give women a voice, to be a role model, and to use my past experiences both in GPATS and in Nishmat to be a mentor and role model for students and guide their educational process," says Price.

GPATS is one of the only programs in North America that can provide students with the requisite skills to be accepted to the rigorous Yoatzot Halacha training programs, and many of the American-born Yoatzot both in Israel and North America are GPATS alumnae. Price comments, "Many of my GPATS students are interested in becoming Yoatzot Halacha. Being a graduate of both programs, I can assist the GPATS women to smoothly transition to the next step."

A busy mother of four, who is directing an advanced study program and a practicing Yoetzet in three communities, Price feels "blessed to be so productive. My time is very well spent." Nishmat looks forward to qualifying many Yoatzot Halacha in the future from the pool of Nechama Price’s most gifted students.

Yoetzet Halacha Nechama Price, Director of Stern College's GPATS Program

Yoetzet Halacha Bracha Rutner, recently appointed to the Rabbinical Council of America's Committee for Review of the GPS

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NISHMAT’S SATELLITE BET MIDRASH IN PARISIn the winter of 2014, a group of Alisa Flatow Program Alumnae in France launched a satellite bet midrash in Paris. Students study weekly via video conferencing with Nishmat faculty. Rabbanit Henkin visited in the spring, to lecture in person and formally open the program. Her visit was written up in local Jewish paper Actualite Communataire. Nishmat faculty member Ms. Debbie Zimmerman is traveling this winter to teach a live session of the bet midrash and keep up the excitement for this dedicated group of alumnae.

NISHMAT ALUMNAE ON SHLICHUT IN AUSTRALIAAt Nishmat, Idit Wolf and Esti Eaton acquired an advanced Talmud education that has enabled them to set out on a career as talented Torah educators. Both were selected for a yearlong posting as educational emissaries (shlichot) in Sydney, Australia. The two won highest praise for their teaching at the co-ed Moriah High School and in other communal settings. "Women told us all the time, 'you don't know how much of an influence you have here.' Our job was to be an example of a Torah-true lifestyle, but in a relatable and loving way. Mothers have told us how much their studies with us have meant to them, but most importantly they are deeply appreciative to have role models for their daughters," said Idit.

NEW YOETZET HALACHA IN TORONTOIn 2011, after completing the Keren Ariel Yoetzet Halacha Training Program Sarah Cheses and her husband Rabbi Noah Cheses moved to Connecticut to serve as Co-Directors of the Seif Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus (JLIC) at Yale University. During her time at Yale, she taught Kallah classes, as well as women studying for conversion. Sarah has become a sought-after guest speaker on Torah topics, visiting her hometown of Columbus, Ohio; Dallas, Texas; Chicago, Illinois; and Fairlawn and East Brunswick, New Jersey. Sarah and Noah have now moved to Toronto where he is the Assistant Rabbi at Shaarei Shomayim Congregation, and she teaches Women’s Health and Halacha topics to the community, as well as working as the JLIC educator for university students and teaching at the Ulpanat Orot High School for Girls.

EXPANDING IMPACT AROUND THE WORLD

Yoetzet Halacha Sarah Cheses

Three Alisa Flatow International Program alumnae met in Ibirapuera Park in Sao Paulo, Brazil during Pesach to review the laws of Hol HaMoed. Gabi Kuroiva, of Sao Paolo, Ioanna Nidelea, originally from Sweden, now of Sao Paulo, and Ra’aya Blackman, of Trinidad and Tobago who spent Pesach in Sao Paulo.

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Eight year old Noa Cohen makes siyum Mishnayot at Nishmat. Her mother Michelle is a Nishmat Alumna

DEDICATED LEARNINGDays of learning were recently dedicated in memory of:

Jacques and Rachel Censor z”l, parents of Dr. Monique Katz, by Rabbi Yehuda and Chana Henkin

Chaim ben Avraham Shlomo Bitter z”l, by Mr. Shlomo Bitter

Eliezer ben Yissachar Elchanan z”l, Dr. Lester Zeff, father of Debby Spinner

Shaindel bat Shlomo and Raizel z”l, Dr. Shaindy Rudoff, by Sara Rudoff Olshin

Sara bat Ze’ev Tzvi (Wolf ) and Chaya Vita z”l, Sara Landerer Rosen, and Yosef David ben Naftali Zvi and Miriam z”l, Joseph David Rosen, by Rachel Rosen

Zev Dov ben Avraham z”l, Dr. Walter Weitzner, husband of AFN Board Member Roselyn Weitzner

Professor Dov Chaim Zlotnick, father of Dr. Keren Kirschenbaum (Nishmat Faculty) and AFN Board Member Dr. Tamar Kahane

Faigy bat Yitzchak v’Misha z”l, Frances Sherman, and Gittel bat Yitzchak v’Misha, Gert Hausman, Mother and Aunt of AFN President Emerita Harriet S. Schimel

Rabbanit Henkin dedicated her shiur on Yom HaShoah in memory of Mr. Izzy Landau- Itzhak ben Yechiel Meir v Zisel, father of Suzanne Landau.

Nishmat’s annual Pesach Yom Iyun was held in memory of Molly Sherman z”l, dedicated by her children, Lainie Klein, Sorel Eizicovics, and Moshe Sherman.

A day of learning was dedicated in honor of Nishmat International Board of Governors member Dr. Miriam Glaubach’s 80th Birthday.

To dedicate a day, week, or annual study at Nishmat in honor of in memory of a loved one, contact:Julie@nishmat.net or go to: www.nishmat.net/support/cal.asp/

After visiting Nishmat's campus earlier in the year to voice his support of Nishmat's community outreach programming, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat met with friends of Nishmat in George Rohr’s New York office this spring. The Mayor spoke at this meeting about his vision for Jerusalem to remain the vibrant, culturally diverse capital of Israel. Pictured here (L-to-R): Senator Joseph Lieberman, Mayor Nir Barkat, Rabbanit Chana Henkin, AFN Yoatzot Halacha Chair Dr. Giti Bendheim, International Board of Governors member Hadassah Lieberman.

Jeanie and Jay Schottenstein and Amy and Robert Book hosted an intimate gathering of board members on Sukkot to discuss Nishmat's most groundbreaking programming. Clockwise from top left: Rabbanit Chana Henkin with Jeanie Schottenstein and Morry Weiss; Jay Schottenstein and Michael Jesselson speaking with Yoetzet Halacha Dr. Tova Ganzel; Zev and Rachel Weiss with Yoetzet Halacha Rachelli Sprecher-Fraenkel; Tzippy and Zvi Katz with Rabbanit Chana Henkin.

Canada: Canadian Friends of Nishmat | 89 Bevshire Circle, Thornhill, ON L4J 5C6 | Tel. (416)628-4634 | skleinberg@cfnishmat.org

Israel: Nishmat, Alisa Flatow Building | 26A Berel Locker St., Pat, Jerusalem 93282 | Tel. (02) 640-4333 | www.nishmat.net

American Friends of NishmatOne University Plaza, Suite 121Hackensack, NJ 07601201-525-5100info@afnishmat.org

Nishmat's Women's Health and Halacha Website www.yoatzot.org

Golda Koschitzky Women's Halachic Hotline

+972-2-640-43-43In US and Canada: 1-877-YOETZET