Yeshiva-Style Program For Women

By Sholom B. Nemanow

Much sacrifice has been made to fulfill the dream of providing Jewish women with higher education. This summer, a group of pioneer students plan to take the next step in fulfilling that dream. An intensive learning program will give young women the opportunity to learn like they’ve never learned before. With a focus on in-depth, text-based study in both Nigleh and Chassidus, and featuring an all-star faculty, this first-of-its-kind program aims to introduce yeshivah-style learning to women in their early twenties who may have never previously had the chance to learn and experience Torah on this level.

The two-week retreat is a project of Batsheva Academy. Inspired by the Rebbe’s vision and emphasis on women’s advanced Torah study, Batsheva Academy was founded with the goal of training young women in the independent study and analysis of Jewish texts, so that they can become teachers and facilitators of high-level Jewish learning themselves.

This unique learning experience will involve two stages: 1) Chavrusah learning, where students will delve into the material independently and learn how to translate and decipher complex and challenging pieces of Gemarah and Maamarim on their own with the guidance of the instructors, and 2) Group discussions guided by knowledgeable and experienced instructors. Small class sizes will enable instruction that is tailored to individual participants.

Those instructors will include Rabbi Eli Silberstein of Chabad of Cornell for Gemarah; Chana Silberstein, PhD of Chabad of Cornell for Midrash and Nach; Rabbi Chaim Dovid Kagan PhD, Dean of Bais Chaya Mushka high school in Monsey who will teach Halacha; and Rabbi Shlomo Yaffe, Dean of the Institute of American and Talmudic Law, who will be teaching Chassidus as well as Halachah.

The program will take place from Yud Zayin Av to Alef Elul (August 2-16) in the Catskill Mountains. Aside from the extraordinary classes, the affordable tuition includes delicious meals, comfortable lodgings, and various additional activities.

Registration is now open and all those interested may apply here. You can reach the organizers, Zeldy Nemanov or Hadassah Silberstein by emailing [email protected]. Additional information on the summer retreat and Batsheva Academy can be found at BatshevaAcademy.com.

If you are unable to join the summer retreat, please consider supporting Torah learning for young women with a sponsorship or dedication. Donate here or contact us for more information by emailing [email protected], or calling Mushkie at 323-326-6314.