ABOUT

Nishmat is dedicated to nurturing and fostering women in their Avodat Hashem and Yirat Shamayim through high-level Torah study. We are a trailblazer for women’s scholarship, leadership, and social responsibility, and a world leader in paving a new path for women in Jewish life.

Social Responsibility

In-Depth Learning Rooted in Yirat Shamayim

Torah Learning as a First Language

At Nishmat, women from Israel and around the world come together for deep, meaningful Torah study during transformative life stages: before or after National Service, IDF service, university, marriage, professional life, or other major transitions.

Through the diverse programs of Nishmat’s Israeli Beit Midrash and Nishmat’s Alisa Flatow Global Torah Community, women engage in serious Torah learning, both in-person and online, through gap-year programs, summer learning, post-college study, Nishmat’s Kollel, community initiatives, programs such as Maayan for Ethiopian-Israeli students, and Nishmat’s flagship Yoatzot Halacha programs and services.

Across all stages and frameworks, students gain the tools to encounter the foundations of Torah learning in depth while becoming part of a spiritually vibrant, growth-oriented, and deeply committed community.

Our learning model combines structured classes with chavruta study and sustained Beit Midrash learning. The curriculum spans Gemara, Halacha, Tanach, Chassidut, Jewish thought, and more, integrating breadth with depth.

The Beit Midrash is the heartbeat of our institution– rooted in the belief that “great is Torah study, for it leads to action.” Nishmat’s Beit Midrash serves as an open and welcoming space for women, teens, and broader community audiences, integrating Torah learning with meaningful social engagement.

Throughout the year, Nishmat’s faculty supports students through one-on-one mentoring, goal setting, Shabbatons, educational trips, and group experiences. This personal guidance empowers students to deepen their learning, strengthen their values, and build a meaningful connection between Torah and daily life. The program creates space for spiritual growth while helping students navigate personal challenges and life transitions.

One of Nishmat’s hallmark programs is the “Beit Midrash Chevrati”, where students explore the connection between halacha, social issues and lived practice, followed by contributing to the wider community through meaningful volunteer initiatives. Our students lead a range of community-based projects, including a Bat Mitzvah program, chavruta study with senior citizens, a weekly Parashat HaShavua class, programming for high school students, academic tutoring, support for families in need, and a communal food pantry.

In addition, the midrasha hosts open community initiatives such as study series for new mothers on maternity leave, holiday learning afternoons for mothers and children, a Purim carnival, and more. We believe deeply in building neighborhood connections and contributing to the community around us.

Nishmat was founded in 1990 by our Chancellor, Rabbanit Chana Henkin and her husband, Rabbi Yehuda Herzl Henkin, of blessed memory. At a time when women’s seminaries were just beginning to emerge, Rabbanit Henkin envisioned a place where every woman would feel part of the Torah world and where Torah study would be a central part of women’s Avodat Hashem. 

Over the years, Nishmat and its programs have helped shape the landscape of women’s Torah learning, inspiring other seminaries and strengthening Torah study for women around the world.

Faculty

Rabbanit Chana Henkin

Founder & Chancellor

Rav Yehuda Henkin z”l

Founder

Rabbanit Yoetzet Halacha Atara Eis

Dean

Rabbanit Yoetzet Halacha Ilana Hadad

Dean

Rav Da’vid Sperling

Rosh Beit Midrash

Rav Yosef Zvi Rimon

Halachic Authority

Noam Adoryan

CEO

Rabbanit Yoetzet Halacha Rachel Eilon Kochva

Ra”mit Lifnei Sheirut

Rabbanit Tamar Newman

Ra”mit Shiur Alef

Rabbanit Emuna Lapid

Ra”mit Shiur Alef

Rav Avi Blidstein

Ra”m Shiur Hemshech

Rav Kobi Gigi

Rosh Kollel

Dr. Esti Bar-El

Director of Academic Advancement, Nishmat Ethiopian College and Level Up Programs

Malka Schwartz

Head of Recruitment and Program Manager

Rabbanit Navit Tzadik

Director of Alisa Flatow Programs

Tzivia Katsman

Rakezet Shana Ba’Aretz

Bhran Worku

Identity Seminars Coordinator

Tehila Schwartz

Coordinator of Army Program

Rav Ari Sat

Ra”m Kollel Halacha

Rabbanit Yoetzet Halacha Rachelle Sprecher Fraenkel

Educator

Rabbanit Neima Novetsky

Educator

Rabbanit Simi Peters

Educator

Rav David Sabato

Educator

Rav Yaakov Varhaftig

Dean of Keren Ariel

Rabbanit Yoetzet Halacha Gilla Rosen

Educator

Rabbanit Yoetzet Halacha Noa Lau

Director of Keren Ariel

Rav Assaf Bednarsh

Senior Lecturer and Halachic Supervisor of Golda Koschitzky Women’s Halachic Hotline

Rav Michael Edrei

Halachic Supervisor, Yoatzot Halacha and Fertility Counselors

Ayelet Habba

Director of Golda Koschitzky Center

Yoetzet Halacha Dr. Ayelet Kaminetsky

Director, Golda Koschitzky Hotline and Whatsapp Response Service

Rabbanit Yoetzet Halacha Michal Roness

Director of Fertility Counselors & Coordinator of Research Institute

Yoetzet Halacha Nathalie Loewenberg

Director, Yoatzot.org French site

Yoetzet Halacha Goldie Katz Samson

Director, Yoatzot.org Spanish site

Yoetzet Halacha Shira Mnitentag

Director, Yoatzot.org Hebrew site

Yoetzet Halacha Hadassa Klein

Director, Yoatzot.org English site

Rabbanit Yoetzet Halacha Laurie Novick

Yoatzot.org Responder

Ateret Meir

Em Bayit, Shiur Alef Coordinator and Shadchan

Lior Malka

Social Coordinator and Shiur Alef Coordinator

Yoetzet Halacha Fay Blashka

Yoatzot.org Responder

Rinat Blum Pechler

Shiur Alef Coordinator

Hodaya Elgrabi

Shiur Hemshech Coordinator

Yoetzet Halacha Ilana Eltzufon

Yoatzot.org Editor

Ketema Mendfero

Ethiopian College Program Coordinator

Yoetzet Halacha Rotem Glasser

Director of Mikveh Attendant Course

Sinayet Mekare

Recruitment and Level Up Coordinator

Chana Peles

Student Village Coordinator

Tehila Gottlieb

Alumnae Coordinator

Julie Weisman

Director of Development

Liora Rosenblatt

Public Relations and Donor Services Manager

Sarah Cassar

Social Media Coordinator, Hebrew

Michal Sklar

Social Media Coordinator, English

Tzipora Templeman

Administrator of Overseas Programs

Rivka Sabo

Office Manager

Anat Persi

Administration Manager

Tzippy Dayan

Dormitory Secretary

Israel Board

 Stuart Hershkowitz Elan Zivotovsky Elisabeth Mayman Dr. Dan Polisar Dr. Tzippy Katz Adina Rotem Abby Weisz Stuart Hershkowitz Rachel Weiss Estie Agus   

ברוכות הבאות לאתר החדש של מדרשת נשמת

האתר החדש שלנו נמצא כעת בתקופת הרצה, ולכן ייתכן שתיתקלו מדי פעם בתקלות, קישורים חסרים או מידע שעדיין מתעדכן. אנחנו עובדים כל הזמן כדי לשפר, לדייק ולהשלים את החוויה.

תודה על הסבלנות והשותפות!