Woman to Woman Guidance for Observant Jewish Women

Women to Women Guidance for Observant Jews (photo source: Nishmat, caption: A Yoetzet Halacha offering support via the Yoetzot Halacha hotline)

Issues of Jewish family law are so private and sensitive that some observant Jewish women have questions they keep to themselves. Preferring to “play it safe” rather than ask their rabbi, these women often miss out on a simple answer or ruling that isn’t as stringent as they would assume. In other instances, they may not realize the need to be more stringent in specific areas of Halacha (Jewish law).

Recently, rabbis in Israel and throughout North America have partnered with Yoatzot Halacha, women certified by a panel of Orthodox rabbis to serve as a resource for other women with questions regarding taharat hamishpachah (Jewish family purity law - an area of Jewish Law that relates to marriage, sexuality and women's health).

This role was devised to assist women who are more comfortable discussing very personal issues with another woman rather than with a male rabbinical advisor.
The Yoatzot keep all questions in complete confidence and always consult with a rabbi for questions that require a rabbinic ruling.

Women preparing to become Yoatzot Halacha are chosen for their extensive Torah scholarship, leadership ability, and deep religious commitment. They devote two years (over 1000 hours) to intensive study with rabbinic authorities in Jewish family law.

Yoatzot Halacha receive training from experts in modern medicine, psychology, gynecology, infertility, women's health, family dynamics and sexuality.

To date, Yoatzot Halacha have helped thousands of women enhance their observance of taharat hamishpacha, and find solutions in the areas of women’s health and family law.

Nishmat, The Jerusalem Center for Advanced Torah Study for Women, graduated the first Yoatzot Halacha in 2000. Today, over 50 Yoatzot Halacha currently service Jewish communities in Israel and North America.

The success of programs in Riverdale, NY, Silver Spring, MD and Northern NJ has led to a new larger initiative: Starting this coming fall, Yoetzet Halacha will serve various Manhattan congregations and offer unique programs (i.e. “Health & Halacha Day”, scholars-in residence weekend) to women there.

The concept of Yoatzot Halacha is widely gaining acceptance and generating interest throughout Orthodox communities in North America and Israel.

To find out more about the success of Yoatzot Halacha and how they are helping observant Jewish women, contact Shira Weiss, Weiss Media Group, for Nishmat’s Miriam Glaubach Center, sweiss@weissmediagroup.com, 917 282 9317.
###
Yoatzot Halacha (who speak Hebrew and English) can be reached through http://www.yoatzot.org/ or via the following telephone numbers:

Nishmat's Golda Koschitzky Women's Halachic HotlineIn Israel: 02-640-4343Outside Israel: +972-2-640-4343Toll free from the United States and Canada: 1-877-YOETZET (1-877-963-8938)

The hotline is provided by Nishmat as a public service. The toll free call is a public service contributed by IDT Corporation, a multinational provider of telecom, Internet, and video services.

Hours - Israel timeSunday - Thursday: 18:00 - 24:00Friday: 8:00 - 12:00Saturday night: ½ hour after Shabbat is over to midnight.

For further information about Nishmat's programs, visit http://www.nishmat.net/ or email me, Shira Weiss, sweiss@weissmediagroup.com. I am the PR contact.