Nishmat: The Jeanie Schottenstein Center for Advanced Torah Study for Women is a

Modern Orthodox Jewish Modern may refer to: History *Modern history ** Early Modern period ** Late Modern period *** 18th century *** 19th century *** 20th century ** Contemporary history * Moderns, a faction of Freemasonry that existed in the 18th century Philosophy ...

institution of higher

Torah learning Torah study is the study of the Torah, Hebrew Bible, Talmud, responsa, rabbinic literature, and similar works, all of which are Judaism's religious texts. According to Rabbinic Judaism, the study is done for the purpose of the ''mitzvah'' ("comma ...

for women, or ''

midrasha A ' (Hebrew language, Hebrew: , pl. ') is an institute of Torah study for women, usually in Israel, and roughly the equivalent of a yeshiva for men. A "seminary" (Hebrew ''seminar'', sometimes ''seminaria'')Talmud The Talmud (; he, , Talmūḏ) is the central text of Rabbinic Judaism and the primary source of Jewish religious law (''halakha'') and Jewish theology. Until the advent of modernity, in nearly all Jewish communities, the Talmud was the cente ...

to women. It is a pioneer in certification of women as ''Yoatzot Halacha,'' experts in the intersection of women's health and Halacha. Nishmat opened in the

Kiryat Moshe Kiryat Moshe ( he, קריית משה) is a neighborhood in Jerusalem, named for the British Jewish philanthropist Moses Montefiore. Kiryat Moshe is bordered by Givat Shaul. History Kiryat Moshe was founded in 1923 with funding from the Moses Mon ...

neighborhood of

Jerusalem Jerusalem (; he, יְרוּשָׁלַיִם ; ar, القُدس ) (combining the Biblical and common usage Arabic names); grc, Ἱερουσαλήμ/Ἰεροσόλυμα, Hierousalḗm/Hierosóluma; hy, Երուսաղեմ, Erusałēm. i ...

and later moved to

Bayit VeGan Bayit VeGan ( he, בית וגן, lit. ''House and Garden'') is a neighborhood in southwest Jerusalem. Bayit VeGan is located to the east of Mount Herzl and borders the neighborhoods of Kiryat HaYovel and Givat Mordechai. History Bronze Age A 4,0 ...

. It is currently located in the Pat neighborhood of

History

Nishmat was founded in 1990 by Rabbanit Chana Henkin. Now situated in Jerusalem's Pat neighborhood, west of Katamon, Nishmat is a center for women's scholarship, leadership, and social responsibility. Ten years after its founding, Nishmat created the new religious role of Yoatzot Halacha, women halachic advisors. At the same time, the school established what has become an acclaimed advancement program for Ethiopian-Israelis, coupling Jewish studies with an intensive program moving young Ethiopian women from the social margins to the mainstream of Israeli society. In 1995, Nishmat filed a discrimination lawsuit in Israel's High Court. The complaint was that male students received a monthly allowance of 375

NIS Nis, Niš, NiS or NIS may refer to: Places * Niš, a city in Serbia * Nis, Iran, a village * Ness, Lewis ( gd, Nis, links=no), a village in the Outer Hebrides islands Businesses and organizations * Naftna Industrija Srbije, Petroleum Industry of ...

, 280% more than female students, who each received 135 NIS. In 2013, the first class of female

halachic ''Halakha'' (; he, הֲלָכָה, ), also transliterated as ''halacha'', ''halakhah'', and ''halocho'' ( ), is the collective body of Jewish religious laws which is derived from the written and Oral Torah. Halakha is based on biblical commandm ...

advisers trained to practice in the US graduated; they graduated from the North American branch of

Nishmat Nishmat ( he, נִשְׁמַת or 'the soul of every living thing') is a Jewish prayer that is recited during Pesukei D'Zimrah between the Song of the Sea and Yishtabach on Shabbat and Yom Tov. It is also recited during the Passover seder. Sho ...

’s yoetzet halacha program in a ceremony at Congregation Shearith Israel, Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue in Manhattan.

Programs

In addition to general programs in advanced Jewish studies, Nishmat has a program to train

Yoatzot A ''yoetzet halacha'' (Hebrew: יועצת הלכה, plural: yoatzot; lit. Advisor in Jewish law) is a woman certified to serve as an advisor to women with questions regarding ''taharat hamishpacha'' (family purity, also referred to as ''niddah'') ...

, advisers in

Jewish law ''Halakha'' (; he, הֲלָכָה, ), also Romanization of Hebrew, transliterated as ''halacha'', ''halakhah'', and ''halocho'' ( ), is the collective body of Judaism, Jewish religious laws which is derived from the Torah, written and Oral Tora ...

concerning matters particular to women, such as laws of

Niddah Niddah (or nidah; he, נִדָּה), in traditional Judaism, describes a woman who has experienced a uterine discharge of blood (most commonly during menstruation), or a woman who has menstruated and not yet completed the associated requirem ...

(family purity), contraception and health issues. The hotline was established in 1997. In addition to community roles, the Yoatzot operate a 24-hour hotline, for women with questions regarding Jewish family law. Nishmat offers text-based learning programs to women of different ages and background. The English-speaking programs offer beginners, intermediate and advanced level ''shiurim'' (classes). Nishmat offers ''chevruta''-based (pairs) learning. There is a strong emphasis on developing skills for independent textual study within an atmosphere stressing spiritual growth and a strong commitment to Jewish Law. In 2004, Nishmat began a one-year program called ''Shana Ba'aretz'' for American students who wanted to study in Israel during their gap year before college. All students learn in the ''bet midrash'' (study room) together, regardless of program, background or age.

References

External links

Nishmat, The Jeanie Schottenstein Center for Advanced Torah Study for Women

{{Coord missing, Israel Schools in Jerusalem Modern Orthodox Judaism Orthodox Jewish schools for women Jewish seminaries Educational institutions established in 1990 1990 establishments in Israel Women rabbis and Torah scholars

History

Programs

See also

References

External links