#YourTorah

Dina Brawer, JOFA UK founder, explains what inspires the #YourTorah podcast, inviting you to join her on a journey. Dina Brawer studied Torah in Jerusalem, New York and London. Dina’s life journey led her to do things she never dreamed of, including launching an Orthodox feminist movement in the UK and studying for Orthodox semikha (rabbinic ordination)at Yeshivat Maharat in NY, where she now is in her final year.

Dr Lindsey Taylor-Guthartz explains the making of Mishnah and takes us through its various layers. Visual aid for this podcast: Mishnah layers Lindsey Taylor-Guthartz studied archaeology at Cambridge and at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and recently completed a PhD at University College London on the religious lives of Orthodox Jewish women, which will be published as a book. She is a Teaching Fellow at London School of Jewish Studies, an occasional lecturer at Cambridge and Oxford, edits academic books, is involved in Scriptural Reasoning and interfaith activity, and has taught young & old in the Jewish community for the past 15 years.

Leah Sarna introduces seder Zeraim, the first 'order' of the Mishnah and guides us through the range of topics that are covered by the 11 books or masekhtot in seder Zeraim. Leah Sarna is a fourth year student at Yeshivat Maharat, a Wexner Graduate Fellow and a Mishnah junkie. Leah has taught Torah to adults and teens around the world, stretching from New York City to London, Tel Aviv and Melbourne. She works as the Congregational Intern at the Hebrew Institute of White Plains in White Plains, NY, and lives with her husband in New York City.

Professor Ruth Langer presents the content of Masekhet Berakhot; the first book in the order of Zeraim: prayers personal & public covering every aspect of life. Ruth Langer is Professor of Jewish Studies in the Theology Department at Boston College and Associate Director of its Center for Christian-Jewish Learning. She is also chair of the Council of Centers on Jewish-Christian Relations. Her books include Cursing the Christians?: A History of the Birkat HaMinim (Oxford University Press, 2012), To Worship God Properly: Tensions between Liturgical Custom and Halakhah in Judaism, published in 1998 (Hebrew Union College Press), Jewish Liturgy: A Guide to Research (Rowman & Littlefield, 2015), and she co-edited Liturgy in the Life of the Synagogue (Eisenbrauns, 2005) along with a long list of published articles.

Dina Brawer introduces Masekhet Pe'ah, the second book in the order of Zeraim detailing 5 different agricultural gifts due to the poor and their relevance for today's charitable giving. Dina Brawer studied Torah in Jerusalem, New York and London. Dina’s life journey led her to do things she never dreamed of, including launching an Orthodox feminist movement in the UK and studying for Orthodox semikha (rabbinic ordination) at Yeshivat Maharat in NY, where she now is in her final year.

Claudia Marbach sifts through the laws of untithed food to learn the values of community and the importance of shared meals. Claudia Marbach is a fourth year student at Yeshivat Maharat, NY. She has launched a pop-up beit midrash for women in Boston, called One Night Shtender. Before Yeshivat Maharat, Claudia was a middle school teacher at JCDS Boston, a pluralistic Jewish Day School, for fifteen years, where she developed a Rabbinics curriculum. She founded a partnership minyan and participates in interfaith dialogue. Claudia received her BA in English from Barnard College, and JD from Boston University.

Rabbanit Chava Evans introduces masekhet Kilayim which deals with crossbreeding of plants & animals and considers what duty we may have toward the preservation of species. Rabbanit Chava Evans holds a BA in Religion from Brown University, where she was awarded the James Manning Medal for Excellence in Religious Studies. Rabbanit Chava trained as a painter in Israel and the United States and holds an MFA from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. She learned at the Nishmat Center for Advanced Torah Study and received Orthodox Semikhah in May, 2017 from Yeshivat Maharat. Rabbanit Chava currently serves as the Director of Jewish Life at the Bender JCC of Greater Washington.

Leah introduces masekhet Sheviit which details the laws of shmitah, the sabbatical year, exploring charity to and through the land, the remission of loans and generosity. Leah Sarna is a fourth year student at Yeshivat Maharat, a Wexner Graduate Fellow and a Mishnah junkie. Leah has taught Torah to adults and teens around the world, stretching from New York City to London, Tel Aviv and Melbourne. She works as the Congregational Intern at the Hebrew Institute of White Plains in White Plains, NY, and lives with her husband in New York City. Leah mentions a few organizations at the end of the episode. Check them out here: Hazon works to create healthy and sustainable communities Hebrew Free Loans societies offer interest-free loans to help people with temporary financial needs Kiva is a global organization which alleviates poverty through lending

Rav Rahel Berkovits introduces Terumah, the special gift given to priests, exploring holiness and the blurring of boundaries. Rahel Berkovits teaches Mishnah, Talmud and halakha, at the Pardes Institute in Jerusalem. Rahel writes and lectures in both Israel and abroad on topics concerning women and Jewish law. She is the Halakhic Editor for TaShma, JOFA’s Halakhic Source-guide Series. Rahel is a founding member of Shirah Hadasha, a halakhic partnership minyan, and serves on their halakha committee. In June 2015, Rahel received Rabbinic Ordination from Rabbis Herzl Hefter and Daniel Sperber.

Rachel Weber Leshaw leads us through the system of tithing produce detailed in masekhet Ma'asrot, exploring the right time to snack, and the importance of judging cases individually. Rachel Weber Leshaw lives in Jerusalem where she teaches Talmud and halachah. She is a graduate of Nishmat's Keren Ariel Yoetzet Halachah training programme, as well as Yeshiva University's Graduate Programme in Advanced Talmudic Studies. She has taught Torah in various educational institutions in Israel, as well as in Houston, Texas, and Princeton University's Center for Jewish Life. She and her husband David are the parents of Josh and Annaelle, who will start learning mishnah pretty soon. This #YourTorah episode is dedicated by Rachel Weber Leshaw in honour of her grandmothers, Paula Weber and Sabina Shmidman, who inspire her with their commitment to lifelong Torah learning and dedication to family.

Rabbi Dr Meesh Hammer-Kossoy explains Ma'aser Sheni as the workings of the oldest layaway plan for family holidays in Jerusalem and how that is relevant to Jewish religious life. Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy teaches Talmud and directs the Social Justice Track at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem, an open, co-ed and non-denominational Jewish learning community where students encounter and grapple with classic texts and traditions of Judaism, while exploring their relevance to today's most pressing issues. Meesh was among the first cohort of Orthodox female rabbis ordained in June 2015. Meesh also serves as Director of Admissions and of Social Action, and writes an on-line course for the ICJW (International Council of Jewish Women). She has a PhD in Talmud from NYU.

Anne Gordon pulls apart Challah into bite-sized laws pertaining to bread-making. Anne Gordon is the deputy editor of Ops & Blogs at The Times of Israel. Her bachelors in History and Philosophy and masters in Judaic Studies are from Harvard University, and she is pursuing a slow doctorate in girls’ Talmud education. An alumna of the Drisha Scholars Circle, Anne studied in Jerusalem's women’s batei midrash. She has taught widely, including at Matan, Midreshet HaRova, Yeshivah of Flatbush High School, YUHSG (Central), Kohelet, Maimonides, and Drisha Institute. Anne is a founding member of Chochmat Nashim.

Rebecca Blady reveals Orlah and the multiple meanings of 'Forbidden Fruit'. Rebecca Blady aspires to be an idea generator for the Jewish people. She is currently in her third year at Yeshivat Maharat, the only seminary in the USA to grant Orthodox ordination to women. Together with her husband, Rebecca co-founded Base Berlin, a home-based, pluralistic Jewish community for young Jews in Berlin, Germany. She currently works with the Hillel Office of Innovation as Coordinator for the Fellowship for Rabbinic Entrepreneurship. She has also served as Rabbinic Intern at the Prospect Heights Shul and as a Fellow at ImmerseNYC and Hillel's Fellowship for Rabbinic Entrepreneurs. Rebecca teaches and writes on topics related to Jewish identity, mindfulness and spirituality. She is a certified yoga teacher and ImmerseNYC Mikvah Guide. Rebecca lives in Brooklyn with her husband Jeremy Borovitz, a rabbinical student at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah. She holds a B.A. cum laude from Brandeis University. A proud granddaughter of four lively and loving Holocaust survivors, Rebecca advocates for a united global Jewish narrative and every individual Jewish story.

Maharat Rachel Kohl Finegold finishes off Seder Zeraim with masekhet Bikkurim, linking the ritual of bringing the first fruits with participation and equal opportunity. Maharat Rachel Kohl Finegold is the Director of Education and Spiritual Enrichment at Congregation Shaar Hashomayim in Montreal. She received her B.A. in Religion from Boston University and is a graduate of the Drisha Scholars Circle in New York. She was ordained as part of the inaugural class of Yeshivat Maharat, the first institution to train Orthodox women as clergy. Originally from New York, Rachel lives in Montreal with her husband, Rabbi Avi Finegold, and their three daughters.

Rabba Sara Hurwitz introduces Seder Moed, taking us on a whirlwind tour of the Jewish calendar. Rabba Sara Hurwitz, is the co-founder and President of Yeshivat Maharat and is also on the rabbinic team at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, a large orthodox synagogue in New York. Following graduation from Barnard College, Columbia University, she entered and subsequently graduated from Drisha’s three-year Scholars Circle Program. She was ordained in 2009 by Rabbi Avi Weiss and Rabbi Daniel Sperber.

Wendy Amsellem opens Seder Moed with an overview of masekhet Shabbat, looking at some of the intricacies of prohibited practices, and exploring what it means to legislate rest. Wendy Amsellem teaches at Yeshivat Maharat and Drisha. She is a graduate of the Drisha Scholars Circle and received her BA from Harvard University. She is a member of JOFA's Advisory Board.

Nina Kretzmer Seed introduces masekhet Eruvin (regarding carrying on Shabbat), exploring how we set - and extend - our boundaries. Nina Kretzmer Seed is a Jewish educator who loves to study and teach rabbinic literature. Nina holds a Bachelor's degree in Talmud and Rabbinics from the Jewish Theological Seminary and a Bachelor's degree in French Translation from Barnard College. She also has Master's degrees in Jewish Education and Jewish Studies from New York University. Nina lives with her husband in Riverdale, New York.

Felicia Epstein introduces masekhet Pesachim, exploring Pesach as one of the equalizing festivals, and illustrating the development of the Seder as it exists today, from the time of the Mishnah. Felicia Epstein works as a lawyer specializing in labour law in London. She lectures on biblical and midrashic texts and is a founder of the Kol Rina Minyan. She did graduate work in the Bible focusing on commentaries and comparative legal institutions at Bar Ilan University and studied at other Yeshivot in Israel and lectured widely on biblical textual analysis in Israel at a number of institutions including Yakar, Matan, Midreshet Harovah, and the Ulpanat Gadera.

Rav Rahel Berkovits introduces masekhet Shekalim, looking at the Temple tax and the importance of communal responsibility. Rav Rahel Berkovits teaches Mishnah, Talmud and halakha, at the Pardes Institute in Jerusalem. Rahel writes and lectures in both Israel and abroad on topics concerning women and Jewish law. She is the Halakhic Editor for TaShma, JOFA’s Halakhic Source Guide Series. Rahel is a founding member of Shira Hadasha, a halakhic partnership minyan, and serves on their halakha committee. In June 2015, Rahel received Rabbinic Ordination from Rabbis Herzl Hefter and Daniel Sperber.

Sharona Halickman introduces masekhet Yoma, asking whether Yom Kippur is a festive, happy day, and exploring repentance as a daily act. Sharona Halickman made aliya in August 2004 from Riverdale, NY. She has a BA in Judaic Studies and an MS in Jewish Education from Yeshiva University. Sharona served as the first Congregational Intern and Madricha Ruchanit at The Hebrew Institute of Riverdale. Sharona lives in Jerusalem and is the founder and director of Torat Reva Yerushalayim, a non-profit organization that provides Torah study groups for students of all ages and backgrounds. Sharona is also a member of Beit Hillel.