Page 55 - Hamizrachi #30 USA 2021 Yom Yerushalayim - Shavuot

ONE GENERAL INTEREST

ON
ONE our Eshkolot Tanach Educators Institute.

These are just a few examples of our many
significant and groundbreaking programs
with – both Beit Midrash based and broader
community learning. Matan graduates are
Rabbanit change agents who have the depth and
breadth of knowledge and the tools to be
outstanding scholars, educators, community
Malke Bina leaders and Meshivot Halacha. I’m
overwhelmed with pride in all that they are
doing not only for women but for Am Yisrael.
Childhood Women’s Torah learning
I grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, the oldest versus men’s Torah
of four children, raised by my parents and that G-d promised to Avraham for his learning
my Bubby who were all Holocaust survivors. progeny. Those of us who are privileged Women and men’s Torah learning is 95%
We had a busy home, filled with books to be here are living history and helping to the same. I would say, however, that
and suffused with learning. It was through write new chapters in Jewish history. women bring a certain extra intuitive and
learning Tanach that I realized I wanted to psychological quality to their learning
come to Israel and build my life here. Women’s Torah learning and tend to focus more on communal
over the last 25 years social and welfare issues. Although there
What does your Shabbat It is breathtaking to have watched the are differences of perspective between
look like? strides in women’s Torah learning over women and men, we are learning the
When my five children were younger, the last 25 years and to have been part same Tanach, Gemara and Halacha. We
our home was the happening place on of making it happen. We founded Matan are equally charged with studying in depth
Shabbat – a table surrounded by guests, in 1988; it has been my life’s work, like and breadth and acquiring the necessary
conversation, divrei Torah, zemirot and watching a baby mature into adulthood. skills to comprehensively understand the
delicious food. The family and guests What began as a small group of women words of our Torah and even to bring new
loved the mixture of Israeli and heimishe learning with me around a dining room interpretations to our ancient texts.
cuisine – hummus and gefilte fish! For the table has blossomed into an unparalleled
last 10-15 years we’ve had vatikin davening institution for advanced Torah learning Yerushalayim
for the early risers so it’s not just a home for women, with centers in Yerushalayim I’ve lived not only in Yerushalayim but
on Shabbat but also a shul, and (Corona and Raanana and branches throughout in the Jewish Quarter for most of my
permitting) we welcome Shabbat daveners the country. Our classes reach literally over 50 years here in Israel. I arrived
and guests – of all ages, from Israel and thousands of students in Israel and all shortly after the Six-Day War and was
friends from around the world. around the world. swept up in the euphoria of that modern-
day miracle for the Jewish people.
Religious Zionism Women’s Torah learning I’ve witnessed and been part of the
Religious Zionism is a given for me – it’s and the future renaissance of Yerushalayim and the
like two sides of a coin joined together and Matan has been a pioneer on so many renewal of Jewish life in the Old City,
inseparable. Torah and Eretz Yisrael are fronts. Many of our distinguished women which has been incredible. Every day I
absolutely inter-connected. Being a Religious faculty members are graduates of our feel intense gratitude to be living here in
Zionist means fulfilling your commitment to Beit Midrash programs including the this beautiful city, the center of the Jewish
Torah and to Israel and trying and hopefully Advanced Talmudic Institute, Hilkhata, world, surrounded by my children and
1 2 3 4 5
succeeding in coming to Israel, the homeland Matan’s Advanced Halachic Institute and grandchildren.

FIVE I didn’t begin My favorite I like reading P.G. One of my Although I tend
FACTS studying Gemara breakfast is Wodehouse – his “sidelines” towards the logical

you didn’t until I was 25. cheesecake! I don’t books and stories is making and rational (at one
know often indulge but I are filled with shidduchim – I’ve time I wanted to be a
about love the occasions humor – it’s always made over 10 so math teacher!), I’m also
Rabbanit when I do. good to laugh. far and counting! a romantic and I love
Malke Bina stories that are happily
ever after.
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