NISHMAT’S MIRIAM GLAUBACH CENTER
2006-2020
America’s Yoatzot Halacha
Expanding our reach with expertise and caring hearts.
“Hi. Can I ask you a ‘Yoetzet question’?”
American Orthodox women have a new way of describing their questions about taharat hamishpachah and mikveh, marriage and wellness. They ask “Yoetzet questions” and they’ve come to expect and cherish access to a Yoetzet Halacha in their communities. What a dramatic change in just one generation!
This is the genius of Nishmat’s Miriam Glaubach Center and its visionary, Dr. Felix Glaubach.
When Nishmat’s Miriam Glaubach Center was established in 2006, barely anyone outside of Israel had heard of Yoatzot Halacha. But, Dr. Glaubach determined that Yoetzet Halacha would become a household word in American Orthodox Jewish homes within five years. Together we set to work.
Complemented by a national publicity campaign, a small determined cadre of Yoatzot crisscrossed the U.S., introducing themselves and their new Jewish profession to the Orthodox community. They gave hundreds of speeches and divrei Torah. They counseled individual women and consulted congregational rabbis and roshei yeshiva.
Dr. Felix Glaubach’s vision sparked a revolution. By 2011, women, 20-60 years old, expected their synagogue or community to hire a Yoetzet. But only three Yoatzot lived in the U.S. A savvy philanthropist who recognized the Miriam Glaubach Center’s great appeal, Dr. Glaubach backed the Center’s expansion into an educational blockbuster that would produce Nishmat Yoatzot Halacha on American soil, adopting Nishmat’s masterful halachic and medical curriculum and it’s system of rabbinic certification.
As a result, today, nearly a decade later, 28 Yoatzot Halacha work for 54 synagogues in 20 American communities. Orthodox women all over the U.S. and Canada are asking “Yoetzet questions.” They regard access to Yoatzot Halacha as one of the basic ritual services of their community. As a result, observant young women are asking more halachic questions and learning more about the halachic process and how to better incorporate it into their lives.
As a result, today, nearly a decade later, 28 Yoatzot Halacha work for 54 synagogues in 20 American communities. Orthodox women all over the U.S. and Canada are asking “Yoetzet questions.” They regard access to Yoatzot Halacha as one of the basic ritual services of their community. As a result, observant young women are asking more halachic questions and learning more about the halachic process and how to better incorporate it into their lives.
OUR 2020 YEARBOOK
THE YOATZOT HALACHA OF
NISHMAT’S MIRIAM GLAUBACH CENTER
Commencement 2013
Commencement 2015
CLASS OF 2013
Yoetzet Halacha at Agudath Israel, Stamford, CT. Former YH, Great Neck Synagogue. MGC Mentor Program Director for new Yoatzot Halacha. Faculty for MGC CME Medical Course. Director of Admissions, Gemara & Halacha Instructor @ Ma’ayanot HS. Instagram Innovator: DenaBlock
DENA BLOCKYoetzet Halacha 
Yoetzet Halacha in NJ for
Congregation Ahavath Torah, Englewood;
Kesher Synagogue, Tenafly;
Congregation Brothers of Israel, Long Branch;
and communities of West Orange & Livingston.
Director of GPATS, Yeshiva University.
Senior Lecturer, Stern College.
Book Author, 12 Brothers, Tribal Blueprints and the Destiny of Israel.
NECHAMA PRICEYoetzet Halacha 
Yoetzet Halacha of the 5-Towns:
Young Israel of Woodmere, Congregation Beth Sholom, Young Israel of N. Woodmere, IPM & Mikvah South Shore.
Former YH, Great Neck & Manhattan.
Talmud Instructor & Director of Special Programs, North Shore Hebrew Academy High School.
Instagram Innovator: lisaseptimus.
LISA SEPTIMUSYoetzet Halacha 
Yoetzet Halacha in Teaneck for
Congregation Rinat Yisrael,
Congregation Shaarei Tefilah,
Jewish Center of Teaneck,
Netivot Shalom.
Atlanta’s Ohr HaTorah of Toco Hills.
Yoetzet Halacha for Yoetzet Initiative of Greater Philadelphia and South Jersey.
Instagram Innovator: yoetzetriathletetova
TOVA WARBURG SINENSKYYoetzet Halacha 
Yoetzet Halacha at Young Israel of Plainview
AVITAL WEISSMANYoetzet Halacha 
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CLASS OF 2015
Yoetzet Halacha for Manhattan Yoetzet Initiative:
The Jewish Center, Kehilat Rayim Ahuvim, Congregation Ohab Zedek,
Congregation Ramath Orah, Congregation Shearith Israel,
Lincoln Square Synagogue, Westside Institutional Synagogue,
and The Downtown Vaad: 6th Street & Stanton St. Synagogues.
Yoetzet Halacha at Hebrew Institute of White Plains & Young Israel of Scarsdale.
Teaches Gemara, Halacha & Jewish Philosophy, Ma’ayanot HS.
OU/JLIC Educator at Columbia & Barnard.
Kallah Teacher.
M.A. Education & Jewish Studies, NYU.
SHIFFY FRIEDMANYoetzet Halacha 
Yoetzet Halacha at
Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun, NYC.
Former YH, Riverdale Jewish Center & Manhattan.
Doctoral Candidate in Psychology, YU.
JULIA BARUCHYoetzet Halacha 
Yoetzet Halacha and Principal of Shulamis Middle School.
ROOKIE BILLETYoetzet Halacha 
Yoetzet Halacha at Congregation Darchei Noam & Consultant for community mikveh, Fair Lawn.
Doctoral Candidate, Psychology, Rutgers U. Graduate School of Applied & Professional Psychology.
Clinical Psychologist at Achieve Behavioral Health in Monsey.
Instructor of AP Psychology & Women in Halacha,
Ma’ayanot HS,
SHIRA DONATHYoetzet Halacha 
Shoelet u’Meshiva for MGC YH-US Fellows Program
& for MGC Gemara Classes.
TALIA FURLEITERYoetzet Halacha 
Yoetzet Halacha, Los Angeles Yoetzet Initiative:
Congregation B’nai David Judea,
Kehillat Yavneh,
Young Israel of Century City, & YULA Girls HS.
Former YH for Manhattan Yoetzet Initiative.
Teaches Gemara & Halacha, Health, Halacha & Sex-Ed, YULA Girls HS.
Speaker, OU Speakers Bureau.
ILANA GADISHYoetzet Halacha 
Yoetzet Halacha who specializes in Kallah teaching for brides with limited background.
DALIA SHULMANYoetzet Halacha 
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CLASS OF 2017
Riverdale Yoetzet Halacha: Riverdale Jewish Center,
The Riverdale Minyan,Young Israel of North Riverdale.
Teaches “Women in Jewish Law” at Central High School for Girls.
RIVKA ALTERYoetzet Halacha 
Yoetzet Halacha. Teaches Gemara & Halacha, Ma’ayanot HS.
DEVORA DAWIDOWICZ Yoetzet Halacha 
Yoetzet Halacha for Syrian Community. Occupational Therapist.
ZAHAVA HARARI Yoetzet Halacha 
Yoetzet Halacha, Baron Hirsch Synagogue, Memphis, and United Orthodox Synagogues, Houston.
Former LA Yoetzet Halacha. Israel Guidance & Judaic Student Support at Shalhevet HS (LA).
ATARA SEGALYoetzet Halacha 
Yoetzet Halacha. Instructor in Tanach, Midrash, & Jewish Family Law at Touro College.
MAHNAZ SHMALOYoetzet Halacha 
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CLASS OF 2019
Yoetzet Halacha, Cleveland.
Tanach Department Chair, Fuchs Mizrachi High School, Cleveland.
ADINA BLAUSTEIN Yoetzet Halacha Tanach Department Chair, Fuchs Mizrachi High School, Cleveland.
Yoetzet Halacha. Teaches at Lomdeha.org Women’s Learning Institute.
Only American Fellow at Nishmat’s Machon LeMechkar.
HINDY FEDER Yoetzet Halacha Only American Fellow at Nishmat’s Machon LeMechkar.
Yoetzet Halacha at Congregation Tifereth Beth David Jerusalem in Montreal. Tanach Instructor, Montreal Hebrew Academy.
RIFKI FREUNDLICHYoetzet Halacha 
Las Vegas Yoetzet Halacha
at Young Israel/Aish & Mikveh & Family Living Educator, Aish Chaim. Yoetzet Halacha for Yoetzet Initiative of Greater Philadelphia & South Jersey. Teaches Tanach, Kohelet Yeshiva High School. Publishes weekly essays on Torah, Jewish life & Yoetzet topics.
Check out her weekly Facebook D'var Torah.
STACEY GOLDMANYoetzet Halacha Check out her weekly Facebook D'var Torah.
Yoetzet Halacha.
Pediatric Resident, Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Cleveland.
DEBRA ROSENBAUM, M.D. Yoetzet Halacha Pediatric Resident, Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Cleveland.
Yoetzet Halacha. (Certified 2020).
Pediatric Resident, Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Cleveland.
HANNAH SPELLMAN, M.D.Yoetzet Halacha Pediatric Resident, Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Cleveland.
Yoetzet Halacha at Mt. Sinai Jewish Center, Washington Heights, NYC.
Former OU/JLIC Educator at U. of Pennsylvania.
RACHELI TAUBESYoetzet Halacha Former OU/JLIC Educator at U. of Pennsylvania.
Yoetzet Halacha, Congregation Beth Jacob, Beverly Hills.
Dentist, Los Angeles.
JORDANA TOPP, D.D.S.Yoetzet Halacha Dentist, Los Angeles.
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INTRODUCING
THE MIRIAM GLAUBACH CENTER
CLASS OF 2021
Sarit Anstandig, Ann Arbor, MI
Shuli Bossewitch, Miami, FL
Rachel Cohen, Sydney, Australia
Shalvie Friedman, London, England
Hadassah Fromson, London, England
Ellin Mitchell, NYC
Shira Neuman, Columbus ,OH
Ruthie Shulman, Houston, TX
Hannah Spellman, NYC
Zissy Turner-Berkovitz, NYC
THE MIRIAM GLAUBACH CENTER
at a Glance
Where in America are Yoatzot Halacha?
THE MIRIAM GLAUBACH CENTER
OUR FACULTY & LEADERSHIP
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YOETZET HALACHAATARA EIS Director
NISHMAT’S MIRIAM GLAUBACH CENTER
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RABBI KENNETH AUMANDeanU.S. Yoatzot Halacha Fellows Program
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RABBANIT CHANA HENKINFounder & Dean, Nishmat. Founder with Rav Yehuda Herzl Henkin, Yoatzot Halacha.
Lecturer, Nishmat’s Miriam Glaubach Center
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RABBI GEDALYAH BERGERMagid Shiur,U.S. Yoatzot Halacha Fellows Program
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YOETZET HALACHA NOA LAUAssociate Dean, Nishmat Lecturer, Miriam Glaubach Center 
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BAT-SHEVA MASLOW, M.D., MSCTR, FACOG Medical Curriculum Director, Nishmat’s Miriam Glaubach Center. Principal, Extend Fertility, NY 
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YOETZET HALACHA SHOSHANA SAMUELSFormer Yoetzet Halacha for Teaneck & LA. Lecturer & Designer, Nishmat/OU/RCA Kallah Teacher Certification Course
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF NISHMAT
Sharon Liberman Mintz
President
Harriet Sherman Schimel
Executive Director
NISHMAT’S MIRIAM GLAUBACH CENTER
ADVISORY BOARD
Sarah Roer Bendheim
Hadassah Lieberman
Co-Chairs
Alisha Abboudi
Alan Adler, M.D.
Alison Anziska
Dr. Giti Bendheim
Samantha Bryk
Tammy Bryk, D.D.S.
Amy Fox Griffel, M.D.
Faye Koschitzky
NISHMAT. Not just an institution, but a vision.