Nishmat: The Jeanie Schottenstein Center for Advanced Torah Study for Women is an institution of higher Torah learning for women, or midrasha, located in Jerusalem, Israel. It was one of the first educational frameworks to teach Talmud to women and is a pioneer in the certification of women as Yoatzot Halacha—experts in the intersection of women's health and Jewish law (Halacha).
History
Nishmat was founded in 1990 by Rabbanit Chana Henkin. It originally opened in the Kiryat Moshe neighborhood of Jerusalem, later moved to Bayit VeGan, and is currently situated in the Pat neighborhood of Jerusalem. The institution was established to expand access to rigorous, advanced Torah scholarship for women within traditional halachic frameworks.
In 1995, Nishmat filed a discrimination lawsuit in Israel's High Court, alleging that male students received a monthly allowance of 375 NIS, approximately 280% more than female students, who each received 135 NIS.
In 2013, the first class of female halachic advisers trained to practice in the United States graduated from the North American branch of Nishmat's yoetzet halacha program in a ceremony at Congregation Shearith Israel in Manhattan.
Programs
Nishmat offers text-based learning programs to women of different ages and backgrounds. The English-speaking programs provide beginners, intermediate, and advanced level shiurim (classes), with an emphasis on chevruta-based (paired) learning. There is a strong focus on developing skills for independent textual study within an atmosphere stressing spiritual growth and commitment to Jewish law.
Ten years after its founding, Nishmat created the new religious role of Yoatzot Halacha—women halachic advisors who provide guidance on matters particular to women, such as the laws of Niddah (family purity), contraception, and health issues. A 24-hour hotline was established in 1997 for women with questions regarding Jewish family law.
Nishmat also established an advancement program for Ethiopian-Israelis, coupling Jewish studies with an intensive program aimed at moving young Ethiopian women from the social margins to the mainstream of Israeli society.
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. The institution also operates an Israeli Midrasha program for women who have completed their National or Israel Defense Forces service.
