What is Nishmat?
Nishmat is a center for women college-age and above, who wish to immerse themselves in Torah study. Nishmat's goal is to enable motivated women to study in a manner appropriate to their intelligence, creativity and individuality while growing in spirit, ethical behavior and mitzvot. Women at Nishmat study Torah directly, though the traditional texts. By exposing students to the most profound Jewish sources, Nishmat seeks to enhance their spirituality and provide skills for lifelong Torah study.
At the core of the Nishmat community are full-time students who live on campus, and who share in smachot, prayer, meals, tiyulim, shabbatonim and acts of chesed.
Nishmat's founder and Dean, Rabbanit Chana Henkin, and Assistant Dean, Rav Zvi Blobstein are part of a scholarly and diversified faculty.
What is Nishmat's method?
In Nishmat's beit midrash, students prepare for shiurim with a chavruta partner. Outstanding teachers routinely pull up a chair and guide chavrutot grappling with the sources. Following this preparation, students attend inspiring and dynamic shiurim which feature spirited dialogue between teacher and student. Through these experiences, well prepared students gain newfound insight and a deeper connection to the Torah.
Which of Nishmat's programs are for me?
Yesodot Program: This program is for English-speaking women at the beginner and intermediate levels who wish to develop textual skills and acquire a broad base of Torah knowledge. Women in this program delve into the study of Bible, Jewish Thought, Halacha and Talmud. Teachers give individual attention to each student, encouraging and guiding her to reach her potential.
Advanced Program: In this program, shiurim are given in Hebrew by acclaimed Torah scholars. Each morning is dedicated to preparing a single shiur in Halacha or Nach. Advanced students are encouraged to design a personal schedule that best suits their background. Students with strong skills in Tanach, for example, may opt for a more rudimentary shiur in Gemara.
Summer Programs: Each summer, Nishmat sponsors a three-week Yarchei Kallah "learning vacation". The Yarchei Kallah provides an immersion in Torah learning for women taking time out from family, studies or career. The program caters to a range of women; from beginners who learn to read Hebrew and pray from the siddur to advanced students to Jewish Studies teachers The theme for the Yarchei Kallah in 1999 is "Seventy Faces of the Torah: Tradition and Diversity."
Nishmat also sponsors a one-week Tanach Institute in Hebrew for educators and advanced students wishing to delve into a particular area in Tanach.
Scholars Programs: Nishmat's Machon Gavoha Fellowship Institute is a one-year to three-year full-day program of study for future higher Torah educators as well as women taking a year off to learn before or during graduate study. The program has a combined Israeli-American environment, is conducted in Hebrew, and offers the option of an M.A. in Jewish Thought in cooperation with Touro College. The Keren Ariel-Women's Institute for Jewish Law (Tochnit Hilchot Niddah) is a two year, half-time fellowship program involving intensive study of Hilchot Niddah, with supplementary classes on women's health issues.
How do I apply?
Contact us at: NISHMAT, 27 Rechov Michlin, Bayit Vegan, Jerusalem
Phone: (02) 642-1051
Fax: (02) 641-9752
E-mail: Nishmat@netvision.net.il
Website: www.virtual.co.il/orgs/Nishmat
