Nishmat

Nishmat: The Jewish Center for the Advanced Study of Women is a Modern Orthodox Jewish institution of higher Torah learning for women, or midrasha.^[1] It was one of the first places in the world to teach Jewish women Talmud and in-depth Halakha intensely and systematically. Along with Midreshet Lindenbaum it is one of the foremost institutions for expanding the formal religious role of women in the Modern Orthodox world. Once located in the Bayit Vegan neighborhood in Jerusalem ^[2], where its space was rented from a synagogue,^[3] it is now found in the Pat neighborhood of Jerusalem.^[4]

History

Nishmat was founded in 1990.

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, 280% more than female students, who each received 135 NIS.^[5]

Offerings

In addition to general programs in advanced Jewish studies, Nishmat has a program with a 24-hour hotline to train Yoatzot, advisers in Halakha (Jewish religious law) concerning matters particular to women, such as laws of Niddah (family purity) and health issues.^[6] The hotline was established in 1997.^[7]

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 prides itself on chevruta-based (pairs) learning, as well as guided intellectual and spiritual growth.

Nishmat is known for its enrollment of Ethiopian Jews.^[8]

References

1. ^ nishmat.net
2. ^ Jerusalem diaries: in tense times By Judy Lash Balint: page 130
3. ^ Jewish feminism in Israel: some contemporary perspectives By Kalpana Misra, Melanie S. Rich: page 37
4. ^ http://www.nishmat.net
5. ^ Jerusalem Post - Jerusalem Author: EVELYN GORDON Date: Feb 5, 1995 Start Page: 12
6. ^ Taking back God: American women rising up for religious equality By Leora Tanenbaum: page 237
7. ^ Jewish feminism in Israel: some contemporary perspectives By Kalpana Misra, Melanie S. Rich: page 36
8. ^ Jerusalem diaries: in tense times By Judy Lash Balint: pages 130-32

External links

• Barbara Sofer. "The Human Spirit: Can Women Decide Halacha?" The Jerusalem Post, May 11, 2006
• Rochelle Furstenburg, "The Fourishing of Jewish Higher Education for Women." Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, Jerusalem Letter, May 1, 2000
• "Beyond Mikveh", The Jewish Week, May 16, 2006