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Y E S H I V A TM A H A R A TS E M I K H AC E R E M O N YS U N D A Y , J U N E 1 4 , 2 0 1 52 7 S I V A N 5 7 7 5R A M A Z M I D D L E S C H O O L

“Our sister, may you become a multitude”– Genesis 24:60

Y E S H I V A T M A H A R A TS E M I K H A C E R E M O N Y

Y E S H I V A T M A H A R A T M I S S I o n

As the first yeshiva to ordain women as Orthodox clergy, we offer an exceptional

education in Jewish law and pastoral counseling so our graduates are

prepared to inspire and lead Jewish communities.

By providing a credentialed pathway for women to serve as spiritual and

halakhic guides, we increase the community’s ability to attract the best

and brightest into the ranks of its leadership. In addition, by expanding the

leadership to include women, we seek to enliven the community at large

with a wider array of voices, thoughts, and perspectives.


P R o G R A M

Welcome

Abigail Tambor, Graduation co-chair

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Invocation

Maharat Ruth Balinsky Friedman

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Tribute to Belda Lindenbaum z”l

Rabba Sara Hurwitz

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S E M I K H A C E R E M o n Y

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Graduates’ Responses

Yaffa Epstein, Dr. Anat Sharbat

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Blessings and Closing Remarks

Rabbi Daniel Sperber and Rabbi Jeff Fox


G R A D U A T E S

Miriam Gonczarska is an educator, journalist and community leader, working to reviveJewish life in Poland. Miriam pursued her studies in Israel at Nishmat, Matan, and Pardes.She has worked at the Lauder Foundation, Europe Magazine, Aish Hatorah Women’sCollege in Belarus, and the Hebrew Section of Polish Radio as journalist and, mostrecently, for the Jewish Community of Warsaw as a Jewish educator. Miriam served asboard member in the Council of Christians and Jews, Religious Council of the Union ofthe Jewish Communities of Poland. She has been featured as a guest in international

and Polish media due to her knowledge of Judaism, experiences with Polish-Jewish issues and currentJewish identity issues in Poland. Upon graduation, Miriam will be a spiritual leader and educator focusing onEastern European Jewry.

Lila Kagedan is a consultant, lecturer, activist and educator in the areas of globalhealth, ethics, religion and education and is a student at Harvard University. She was aHadassah Brandeis Institute-Gender, Culture, Religion and Law Research Associate. Lilais a clinical ethicist and chaplain and is currently completing the Jerusalem Rabbinateordination tests privately. She is a halachic resource to a variety of religious institutions.Lila has consulted for several NGOs, health care centers and academic institutions andhas lectured widely while also working in clinical environments. She has taught Talmud,

ethics and Jewish studies in a variety of formal and non-formal settings and has written extensively on medicineand Jewish law, Jewish Ethics as well as on topics relating to women and Judaism/Jewish practice. Lila is thefounder of the Sulam School and holds degrees and certificates from Midreshet Lindenbaum, The HebrewUniversity of Jerusalem, The University of Toronto, Harvard University, The Medstar Washington Hospital Centerand Massachusetts General Hospital. She will be accepting a pulpit position upon graduation as well as continuingher clinical and academic pursuits.

Dr. Anat Sharbat feels passionate about issues of feminism and social justice. Shewas a T’ruah Rabbinical Fellow and attended the JOIN for Justice cross seminaryorganizing course. Anat completed a chaplaincy internship at New York-PresbyterianHospital. Dr. Sharbat graduated from Bar-Ilan University with an M.A. cum laude and aPh.D. in Talmud. While writing her Masters thesis, she studied at Shalom HartmanInstitute’s Beit Midrash Program. Anat served as a board member at Kolech-ReligiousWomen’s Forum. She was born and raised in Israel and is married with four girls.

Upon graduation she will serve as a member of clergy at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale and as a Scholar inResidence, writing responsa, at Yeshivat Maharat.


G R A D U A T E S

Avital Engelberg has taught and facilitated groups at various Jewish educationalinstitutions in Israel, including the Hartman Girls High school, Beit Midrash Alma,Midreshet Ein Prat, and Israel’s Bronfman Youth Fellowship Program. Avital was a fellowin the Halakha program at Midreshet Lindenbaum. She is currently pursuing her Master’sdegree in Talmud at Bar Ilan University and holds a B.A. in Theatre from Tel Aviv Universityas well as a diploma in Group Facilitation. Upon graduation, she will teach at MidreshetEin Prat and the Hartman Girls High School.

Yaffa Epstein holds a Law Degree from Bar Ilan University and has taught Talmud formore than a decade at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, Drisha Institute, the DorotFellowship in Israel, Kayam Farm Kollel, the Lookstein Center, Ta Shma and Young JudaeaYear Course. Yaffa is a former student of the Kollel at Pardes, was a member of theAdvanced Talmud Institute at Matan, and studied in the Talmud Department at HebrewUniversity. She has taught at Limmud Events around the globe, and has writtencurriculum for the Global Day of Jewish Learning and Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish

Campus Life. Yaffa was an inaugural member of the “Reshut Harabim” Beit Midrash, a think tank on ModernOrthodoxy in Israel, at the Yaakov Herzog Center. She has spent the last two years in the Advanced Kollel program,taught Talmud at Yeshivat Maharat and served as the Director of Strategic Partnerships at the Pardes Institute ofJewish Studies. Upon graduation, Yaffa will serve as the Director of Education in North America for the PardesInstitute of Jewish Studies.

Dr. Melanie Landau taught Jewish Studies at Monash University for eight years andis currently living in Jerusalem, learning in the Kollel program and working in conflicttransformation as Facilitation Director for Encounter. She co-founded Darsheini - Community Learning Program. For over 10 years, she has worked with women andcouples harnessing the transformative potential of rituals as rites of passage and is theauthor of Tradition and Equality in Jewish Marriage: Beyond the Sanctification ofSubordination. She has learnt in a range of yeshivot and batei Midrash in Jerusalem, as

well as studying sexual politics, a law degree, an MA in Psychoanalytic Studies and various healing arts. Her lifepartner is Michael Fagenblat and their children are Ktoret Ashira and Ariel Raya. After graduation she will continueher work with Encounter and will be a community scholar, spiritual director and lifecycle facilitator in Australia,Israel and the US.


A M E S S A G E F R o M T H E G R A D U A T E S

Miriam Gonczarska

“I will give thanks unto Thee, for Thou hast answered me, and hast been my salvation.The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.”

– Psalm 118: 21-22

Growing up in Warsaw, Poland, I had many questions about my Jewish heritage, but nobody to help me to findanswers. This hunger drove me to become a Jewish leader, to change my reality and that of the post-warcommunity around me. In the process, I learned that what we see as reality might be limited by our perceptions,but also reality is the result of those perceptions. Sometimes answers to our prayers are in us and our spiritualaspirations can be achieved by changing our attitudes and shifting our paradigms. Answers to our intellectualinquiry could be found not only in new philosophy or scientific discovery, but also through social activism.

Born before the War in Warsaw, Rabbi Yitzchak Hutner, the Pachad Yitzchak, in his work on Shavuot, asks: Howit is possible, as the Talmud suggests, that Moses received approval for breaking the tablets, tablets that GodHimself fashioned? He explains that this act saved the Jewish People from God’s anger and also required Mosesto himself fashion the second tablets, thereby introducing human involvement and creativity into the Torahtransmission process from the very beginning of collective revelation. In the beit midrash of Yeshivat Maharat,I have experienced this process of creativity firsthand. We are indeed blessed partners with the Divine, bringingrenewed Torah into the material world.

The MaHaRaM, Rabbi Moses Alshech, (1508-1593), writes that the once-rejected stone of Psalm 118 (citedabove) is the recipient of a double kindness. Not only is it ultimately included in a building, but it is accorded theunique position of becoming its foundation stone.

On this day, the day of my graduation, I too feel doubly blessed. Hashem “answered” my prayers and I am partof the “answer.” Most likely I am the first Orthodox woman from Europe to receive semicha. For a Polish Jew tobecome a Maharat in 2015 is like receiving the second tablets. I am a new link in the Jewish chain of transmission,humbly helping to reconstitute the shattered pieces of a deeply broken community. I feel like a bridge betweenthe lost world of Polish Jewry and the Jewish future. I could not feel more indebted to my fellow students and tomy teachers for making this reality possible. You are truly the best proof of the continuity of Jewish life and itsbest insurance.

Receiving this semikha is not only a tremendous privilege, but it is primarily a weighty obligation. Providingguidance to communities and individuals facing challenges and providing presence to people in pastoral needare the most important roles of the spiritual leader. Much of the depth of Jewish teaching emerges out of brokenhearts and is constituted during those moments when the healing starts. It is my honor and my responsibility tonow embark on this transformative work.

I would like to give thanks to the Jewish Community of Warsaw, the Union of the Jewish Communities of Polandand to the Chief Rabbi of Poland, for their ongoing support and inspiration. Paraphrasing the words of RabbiAkiva, “What is mine is truly yours.”



Lila R. Kagedan

ikg i,gsu ///lkg i,gs ///ikg irsvu ///lkg irsvThe Hadran prayer is recited at the completion of significant Torah study. According to the Raavad, the Aramaicroot of the word Hadran is “return.” The idea of revisiting and reviewing text is crucial. In fact, at the culminationof each book of Torah we say chazak (you shall be strengthened). This strengthening is truly speaking to the driveand strength to review and perhaps even to renew. This motivation is not organic and the learner needsencouragement.

Rabbi Chaim Ben Betzalel, author of Sefer Hachaim, remarks the root of Hadran is “glory” and that those whoimmerse in Talmud study glorify it. As we study and immerse ourselves in Torah study we must make it our ownto glorify it. We must wrestle with and review text to earn and create the hadar that the Torah can bring to thecommunity and the world. The Torah is not meant to be stagnant. This is a living Torah that we must review,reinterpret, and reassess. The practice of Limmud Torah, learning Torah, is a long and constant practice of growthand evolution. The hadran reminds us this is a critical and holy Jewish practice.

As newly minted musmachot we must review and glorify the Torah. It is in the review, reassessment and renewal,and in being mindful, thoughtful, accessible and bold that we will be able to bring glory to our communities,congregations, the Jewish people, and the world. The task is enormous and the responsibility is awesome.But we are needed and have been called to serve. We are grounded in learning and in the reminder to alwaysreturn to that learning. We will be strengthened and the people of Israel and Kol Yoshvei Tevel will be strengthenedalongside us. Chazak chazak v’nitchazek. Be strong, be strong and may we be strengthened.

Thank you to my mother. My Ema. She has worked tirelessly to share her love of Torah and Jewish ritual with ourfamily. Through meals, celebrations and sorrows, the teaching of Torah and values (middot), through song, andtfillah has filled our home with a love for family, Judaism and Israel.

To my supportive and spirited family. You are my Rabbis. Our Shabbat and Holiday tables are the truest expressionof worshipping in gladness.

To my chosen family of friends who have fiercely supported me. You strengthen me. I am grateful to my colleaguesand the women who have paved the way for me. We will lean in, but we will also lean on one another as we jointhe Rabbinate.

I am grateful to my Rabbis and teachers and to Yeshivat Maharat. You have followed your truth and have takengreat risks to create this institution.

My Abba, Ian J. Kagedan z’l, encouraged me to pursue this path. Every moment with him was a teaching moment.He sanctified the mundane with Torah and instilled a love of text and study in me. He lived his life in the pursuitof justice. Torah came alive in all that he did and all that he did was guided by his deeply personal relationshipwith the Divine. He was an “osek betzarchei tzibur.” It is his teaching and his humanity that will guide me in myRabbinate and it is his Torah that I will strive to live out all the days of my life.



Dr. Anat Sharbat

Prayer1 of the Musmekhet 2

Please, Lord…As I take my place amongst the ordained: Let no offense occur through me, Let me not err in matters of Halakha, Let me not call what is impure “pure” or pure “impure”, Help me apply the principle “leniency over stringency” 3

Help me not tremble when permitting the permissible; Declaring the clean - “Clean!” and the kosher - “Kosher!”And all this by examining the depths of the Torah, drawing near to Your word.Help me continue to learn with diligence and constancy,May my teachers and colleagues be pleased by me.Thank you O Lord for seating me amongst those who dwell in the Beit Midrash.

Blessed is He who has given us life, sustained us, and brought us to this time.

My thirst for studying the Talmud began as a young girl. I studied Talmud for many years, however, only here, atYeshivat Maharat, did I realize my dream of learning Halakha at the highest level.

I stand today with profound gratitude, thankful to Hashem for placing me in this time and space, when women’sthirst for learning can be quenched and where women’s voices fill the study halls.

I owe a deep debt of gratitude to Yeshivat Maharat - to its founders and to its outstanding Rabbis and teacherswho have opened the door for myself and others to realize our dream. They have been my role models as theystand without fear, raising a voice over the din of objection, a voice heard throughout the world.

I would like to thank the wonderful Hebrew Institute of Riverdale community for welcoming me and my entirefamily as their own and for allowing me the space to grow into my full Rabbinic role.

A special thank you to my many chevrutot, both inside and outside Yeshivat Maharat, who partnered with me inmy learning. I would also like to thank all the extraordinary women, around the world, who spend their time andenergy in learning and leadership.

Thank you to my sisters Efrat and Michal who believe in me, support me, and were always there by my side. I amgrateful for my sisters and brothers in law whose numbers grew over the years - Amichai, Ya’ir, David, Tamar andBinyamin - who inspire me each in their own way.

Thank you to my mother-in-law and father-in-law: Edna and Yehuda - for supporting me and embracing me asone of your family, for challenging me to push myself further, for believing in me and my abilities.

Thank you to my parents: Aviva and Binyamin - who sheltered me under their wings; supporting me as I blossomedinto the woman I am today.

And lastly - thanks to Ariel, my spouse, my love - for being my partner along the way, for believing in me andloving me. And to our beloved daughters - Yiskah, Tzruyah, Na’ama Rachel and Shira - my pride and joy - and Ithank you for being you. My family: All that I have acquired - I bestow upon you. My daughters: All that I have done - I have done for you.1This prayer is based on R. Nehunya ben Hakana’s prayer, M bra 4, 2; BT ber. 4b; ibid 28b; YT ber. 4, 2:7d; see also the quotation ofR. Chaim Vital by R. Kook in Responsa Orach Mishpat Orach Chaim 112. 2One who is receiving ordination. 3;hsg tr,hvs jf; BT beit.2b and Rashi there.

wv tbtvfhnxv ,kaua ,urua ihc kt hbt ,xbfba vgac

hsh kg vke, grt, tka vagvfkv rcsc kaft tkau

tny ruvy kgu ruvy tny kg rnut tka ;hsg tr,hvs jf lu,n ,uruvk gstu

r,unv ,t rh,vk trhh,t tkarafv ,t rhafvku ruvyv ,t rvyk

vru,v ,uhnhbp kt curhe lu,nvsn,vcu vsheac hsunhk lhantu

hrcju h,urcj ,hrun ,h,urun hc ujnahu,naa heukt wv lhbpkn hbt vsun

/arsnv ,hc hcauhn hekj



Avital Engelberg- Ziderman

This month has been extremely exciting for me, celebrating two related events - receiving my semikha and thebirth of our daughter. Pains of labor, a new creation that nevertheless continues what exists.

We are gathered today in celebration of this moving occasion. We celebrate with those here today and with thepioneers who are not; women who yearned to continue the traditions of the Jewish people and study Torah. Receiving the Torah is not a singular event, but a continuous one, present at every moment. As the IshbitzerRebbe said: “It is a great task to attempt to renew the act of creation daily; as it is needed at this moment, at thisplace and for this soul.”

As is says in Deuteronomy (29:13-14): “Neither with you only do I make this covenant and this curse; but with himthat standeth here with us this day before the LORD our God, and also with him that is not here with us this day.”

In a slow process of discovery, I learned that the halakhic world is judgmental and severe, but also full ofcompassion and grace. The rabbinate has power. Thus it harbors dangers, but also a great potential for healing.This is the covenant... and the curse.

The role of an Israeli rabbi is different. It involves different challenges. I pray I will be able to play an active role inrepairing the world, beginning with my home country. I have traveled far in order to return home with the hopeand faith, which Yeshivat Maharat has in abundance, that we have the ability to heal the world, our homes andcommunities.

Various experiences and people have led me to this moment.

Twelve years ago my father passed away. Both he and my mother educated me to be a critical thinker, pursuejustice and have a feminist conscience. Together, they set me on a path that ultimately led to this moment. The death of my beloved nephew, Daniel, derailed me from the path momentarily, only so I could learn how totravel it correctly again.

vhneutu hsh hk cv - “Give me a hand and I shall rise and prevail.” A guiding hand, that directs us to our ownstrengths, helps us rise from pain and despair. My family, friends and others I have met along the way have beenmy teachers; they have supported and believed in me throughout this long journey.

Assaf, who recently entered my life, restored my faith and gave me the courage to return to the world of halakha.Yeshivat Maharat helped me fulfill a dream I had almost abandoned and underscored that the world of halakhacannot be divorced from the heart. Infusing the world of talmud and halakha with pastoral training is as innovativeand novel as the integration of women into the halakhic discourse.

I stand here today, filled with awe and gratitude to continue this path, to do my best to elevate Torah, bringing itto new heights and grandeur.

I pray for the ability to be attentive and sensitive, to lend a hand with humility, and to try to work for Tikkun Olam,to contribute my part in the daily revelation of the Torah.

Thank you G-d for allowing us to reach this momentous moment. /vzv inzk ubhghdvu ubhnheu ubhjva okugv lkn ubhekt wv v,t lurc



Yaffa Epstein

sjt wv ubhekt wv ktrah gnaThis pasuk, one of the most foundational in our tradition, contains a critically important message. Rabbi SamsonRaphael Hirsch asks an interesting question about this verse, picking up on the word Shma. Wouldn’t one haveexpected that the charge be that of sight – See, Israel and not hear? Yet he explains that the experience of Sinai,that level of God’s revelation and divine presence, was a singular event in history and only one generation was ableto see it with their own eyes. Despite this, the Jewish people are able to tell the story of the revelation from generationto generation and, as a result, each Jew possesses the ability to experience the revelation. Thus, the learning andteaching of Torah is itself a form of revelation of the Divine will. In this understanding, there is a inherent call to thehuman to take responsibility for our tradition. It is incumbent upon every one of us to make the choice to engage inthe conversation with God and with each other in order to bring more of the Divine into the world. For me, receivingsemikha is another step in joining the conversation and in taking my place in the chain of transmission to help theJewish people continue to engage in the Divine.

I am forever indebted to Yeshivat Maharat, its Rabbinic leadership, Board leadership, Faculty and Staff for creatinga vru, ouen that enables women to achieve the highest levels of learning and leadership.

Ema and Abba – I want to recognize and thank you for being my first and most important teachers. You taught methe true meaning of apb ,urhxn for the Jewish people, and to love ktrah og in all its complexity and diversity.

Avi & Michelle, Sara & Rael, Rivka & Michael, Chaya & Josh – What a blessing to grow up with such role modelsof passionate engagement, commitment to truth, and dedication to family - each of you in your own unique way,taught your baby sister how to be a person in this world and I am eternally grateful.

Elchanan, Akiva, Hillel, Leeba, Miriam, Yitzchak, Shabsi, Dasi, Shira, Chedva, Chani, Yakir, Raphael, Ezra,Elka, Yael, and Adina – Each one of you is so special, smart, and beautiful in your own way. You taught me aboutrcsc vhuk, vbbhta vcvt and I love each of you beyond words.

My Teachers – I have been blessed to learn with some of the most amazing and phenomenal teachers of Torah.Each of you has taught me how to learn, teach, and push myself beyond what I thought was possible, and I amimmensely grateful to have been your vshnk,.

My Chavrutot and Colleagues – Thank you for your patience, your dedication, and for teaching me the true meaningof vru, ka v,njkn. May we be blessed with many more years of Torah learning and teaching together.

My Students – You are my light. Thank you for teaching me what it means to humble one’s self, to thirst for Torah,and to authentically bring one’s self to learning.

My Friends – Thank you for keeping me sane and allowing me to be vulnerable, show my weakness and humanity,and for loving me anyway.

/vzv inzk ubhghdvu ubhnheu ubhjva okugv lkn ubhekt wv v,t lurc



Melanie Landau

hj ktk ohektk hapb vtnmMy soul thirsts for the Divine, the Living God.

Humans are sacred vessels connecting heaven and earth, a stunning combination of spirit and matter. Rashi saysabout the verse in Genesis describing the entry of the Divine breath into the primordial human: We are made fromthe most grounded and from the most supernal. This unique and paradoxical constitution invites us to live a life thatembodies who we are - mysterious, gifted, creative - in the deepest, richest sense. I am humbled and honoured tobe able to to be of service to the Jewish people and the wider world with my whole being to support processes ofgrowth and transformation. Changing reality one relationship, one interaction, one thought, one word, one breathat a time.

I take very seriously the understanding that all humans beings are created in the Divine image. For me this meansthat our Avodat Hashem (Divine service) must involve working against oppression and injustice in a multitudeof ways. This work is not done in a vacuum but with an intention of being sustained, nourished and replenishedspiritually.

To the board, donors, staff, teachers and fellow students of Yeshivat Maharat and all the valuable allies wherever youare: you continue to create a radical interruption to the male domination of Jewish spiritual life through puttingwomen’s leadership at the center of who we are and what we do. To be held in such an environment - even acrossgreat physical distance and time zones - is truly inspiring. It has fostered in me a deep, abiding sense of possibilityand opportunity. I have learned so much from my fellow students; even as I graduate I don't leave the YeshivatMaharat family. I want you, I need you. We have so much to give each other, to reflect back to each other the truthof who we are. I am also so grateful to my hevrutot (study partners), and to my teachers and communities in Jerusalemand in Melbourne.

Thank you to my parents for your contributions to the greatest gift imaginable- this wonderful life - the gift that keepson giving. And to my children, my blessings, Ktoret Ashira and Ariel Raya, for being my best teachers. And hakarathatov (recognition of the good) to my life-partner in the truest sense of the word, Michael Fagenblat, who has seenme as a rabbi for the longest time. For you and all my family and friends, may our coming together be for our goodand for the greater good on all levels, always.

I am deeply indebted and grateful to the Holy Blessed One for my life, and for bringing me to this place of ordination- in many ways the culmination of my different paths in Torah Study, Conflict Transformation, Ritual Facilitation,Healing Arts and Community Building. There is no turning back, no looking behind. For me crossing this threshold,assuming this mantle, is about stepping unashamedly into a place of my own voice and authority, resisting the temptation to withdraw because of fear, staying vulnerable and willing to show myself as I am, and continuing totake the next step forward. I pray that I feel You with me and that I look to You for my strength and sweetness.


A MESSAGE FRoM RABBI WEISS, RABBI Fox, AnD RABBI SPERBER

With gratitude to God and overwhelming joy, we celebrate the third ordination as clergy of Yeshivat Maharat’sgraduates. Each of our graduates is a talmidah hakhamah, blessed with extraordinary skills that will help herspiritually lead her community.

Miriam, your commitment to the international Jewish community is inspiring, as is your perseverance and hardwork. Lila, your scholarship inside and out of the beit midrash and your ability to care for your family and everyonearound you is a model for us all. Anat, your understanding of the world of chazal as well as your human sensitivityare truly amazing. Avital, your teaching and your learning are transformative for the Yeshiva. Yaffa, your energyand passion uplift the students and the faculty. Melanie, your spiritual insight and communal commitment willserve the Jewish People well the world over.

Having successfully completed their studies, the graduates are now ordained to answer questions in Halakha(Toreh Toreh b’Issur v’Heter) and spiritually lead their respective communities.

We have clearly identified a need, as each of our graduates has assumed an important position. Other congregations and Jewish institutions have reached out to the Yeshiva for interns next year, seeking in particularthe voice of women in spiritual leadership.

Today our people are searching for meaning, for d'var Hashem. We are in desperate need of spiritual leadershipwho can teach this message to the Orthodox community, the Jewish people at large and to humanity. We areconfident that with this ordination, Miriam, Lila, Anat, Avital, Yaffa and Melanie will do that and much more.

With blessings to the graduates and their families and to everyone who has made this day possible. Withthanksgiving that we have been honored to be part of this great moment.

b’Hatzlacha Rabbah,

Rabbi Jeffrey Fox

Rabbi Daniel Sperber

Rabbi Avraham Weiss


A M E S S A G E F R o M R A B B A S A R A H U R W I T Z , D E A n

The phrase, chazak v’ematz (be strong and resolute) is a phrase that is repeated seven times in the Torah. It isoften associated with Moshe and God’s encouragement to Yehoshua as he embarks on his new role as leader ofthe Jewish people. A variation of the phrase is also found in Tehilim 27:14: wv kt vueu lck .nthu ezj wv kt vue“Wait patiently, yet expectantly for God; be strong and determined in your heart, and wait patiently yetexpectantly for God.”

The charge of chazak v’ematz is meant to inspire us to be our best selves. In fact, the Gemara in Berachot 32bderives the imperative to learn Torah, perform good deeds, and pray from the phrase chazak v’ematz. Today, asI look around, I am surrounded by people who have helped me build Yeshivat Maharat on the principle of strengthand courage; people who are talmidot chachamot, have sound moral conduct, and prayerful souls.

Chazak – Yeshivat Maharat is strong. It is hard to believe that at our third graduation we are doubling the numberof women with semikha serving the Jewish community. Miriam, Lila, Anat, Yaffa, Avital, and Melanie will be joiningtheir five colleagues, adding their collective and individual voices to inspire hundreds through their Torahscholarship and compassion. Yeshivat Maharat continues to grow, and will welcome eight new women this fall,growing our student body to 22 women studying to be religious leaders.

V’ematz – It has taken courage for faculty, students, and lay supporters to join Yeshivat Maharat. Rabbi Jeff Fox,Rosh Yeshiva, has the courage to teach Torah at the highest level. Dr. Esther Altmann, Dr. Miriam Benhaim,Dr. Erin Leib Smokler, Yaffa Epstein, Aliza Mazor, Rabbi Adam Mintz and Rabbi Yisrael Hollander: thank you forcrafting a curriculum that is both traditional and innovative, didactic and practical, professional and personal.To Yael Keller: thank you for transforming us into a robust and sustainable institution. To Rabbi Daniel Sperber:thank you for pushing us to strengthen and sharpen our Torah learning even further. To Rabbi Weiss who epitomizesthe value of strength and courage. Without your leadership, vision, and deep sense of integrity and justice, noneus would be here today. To Yeshivat Maharat’s board, especially to our outgoing chair, Leah Krakinowski, thankyou for your six years of service, and for continuing to be a source of wisdom and strength.

To all the Yeshivat Maharat students and alumnae: it is your dedication and love for the Orthodox community, forour Torah and Tradition, and for Hakodesh Barachu that has propelled you to fulfill this dream and join the YeshivatMaharat community. I say to each of you: chazak v’ematz. As we enter our seventh year, Yeshivat Maharat is aplace with a “strong and determined heart.” Like the pasuk charges us, with our full hearts and souls, we havecreated a world where women are full members of the clergy who are inspiring countless people to live lives ofTorah, good deeds, and tefilah. Chazak v’ematz.


A MESSAGE FRoM LEAH KRAKInoWSKI , BoARD CHAIR

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to doeverything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. (Joshua 1: 8)

Leaders learn. That is the guiding principle of Yeshivat Maharat.

Throughout our history, the imperative for leaders to be scholars has been ever-present. As vru, ,ubc(Daughters of the Book), our graduates are empowered to lead us as People of the Book; they do not delegatethe task of learning, studying, debating, and contemplating to an advisor or counselor.

This is the foundation and tradition on which Yeshivat Maharat was founded and it embodies the mantle our graduates take on as they become spiritual leaders and halakhic authorities.

Today, Yeshivat Maharat ordains it third graduating class, doubling our numbers of graduates in the field. Ourgraduates are serving all facets of the Jewish community as religious and spiritual leaders - in synagogues, communities, academic institutions, and on college campuses.

As Yeshivat Maharat graduates shape the landscape of the Jewish community, the call for inclusion continues togrow stronger and louder. They herald from different backgrounds, but share a unified vision of scholarship andcommitment to halakha and continue to forge a path for young women around the world.

Let us celebrate our graduates’ dedication and hard work; recognize the loving support of their families; andapplaud the vision and courage of the institutions who hire them. Mazal Tov to our graduates!

B’hatzlacha,

Leah Krakinowski


Y E S H I V A T M A H A R A T ’ S L E A D E R S H I P

Event Chairs

Rabbi Daniel Smokler

Abigail Tambor

Planning Committee

Leah Krakinowski

Rabbi Daniel Smokler

Abigail Tambor

Dr. Chaim Trachtman

Ariel Groveman Weiner

Event Committee

Hinda Bramnick, FL

Barbara Dobkin, NY

Shira Billet and Rabbi Steven Exler, NY

Leonard Fassler, NY

Rella Feldman, NJ

Phyllis Hammer, MA

Judy Heicklen, NJ

Jan Belz Groveman, TN

Gail Katz and Meyer Bick, LA

Esther Krauss, Israel

Steven Laufer, DC

Marnin Michaels, Zurich

Atara Miller, NY

Carol Kaufman Newman and Melvin David Newman, NY

Ann and Jeremy Pava, CT

Daniela Schreiber, NJ

Carol Smokler, FL

Zelda R. Stern and Stanley I. Rosenzweig, NY

Harriet and Marc Suvall, NY

Audrey Axelrod Trachtman, NY

Ayelet and Jonathan Wiener, NY

Dr. Sharon Weiss Greenberg, NY


Y E S H I V A T M A H A R A T ’ S L E A D E R S H I P

Board of DirectorsLeah Krakinowski, Board Chair

Alexandra FoxDr. Daniel HeldChani Laufer

Elena Neuman LefkowitzBelda Lindenbaum z”l

Daniel PerlaAndrew SilbersteinRabbi Daniel Smokler

Abigail TamborDr. Chaim TrachtmanAriel Groveman Weiner

Advisory Board

Yeshivat Maharat Faculty and Staff

Rabbi Avi Weiss, FounderRabba Sara Hurwitz, Dean

Rabbi Jeffrey Fox, Rosh YeshivaYaffa Epstein, Talmud

Rabbi Adam Mintz, TalmudDr. Esther Altmann, Director of Pastoral EducationErin Leib Smokler, Director of Spiritual Development

Rabbi David Silber, TanachDr. Miriam Benhaim, Process Groups Facilitator

Yael Keller, Director of Operations

Rabbi Michael BalinskyRabbi David BigmanSmadar Ben-DavidRabbi Steven ExlerRabbi Zev Farber

Sylvia Barack FishmanRabbi Aaron FrankReb Mimi Feigelson

Blu GreenbergRabbi David Kalb

Rabbi Yosef KanefskyDr. Lynn Kaye

Rachel KerenEsther KraussRabbi Asher LopatinRabbi Adam ScheierRabbi Hanan SchleisingerRabbi Hyim ShafnerRabbi Mendel ShapiroRabbi Daniel SperberRabbi Saul StrosbergRabbi Uri TopoloskyRabbi Avi WeissAvigail Zohar


S T U D E n T S

Yaffa Epstein, Class of 2015Miriam Gonczarska, Class of 2015

Lila Kagedan, Class of 2015Dr. Melanie Landau, Class of 2015Dr. Anat Sharbat, Class of 2015Ramie Smith, Class of 2016

Alissa Thomas-Newborn, Class of 2016Dasi Fruchter, Class of 2017Goldie Guy, Class of 2017Bracha Jaffe, Class of 2017*Eryn London, Class of 2017

Dr. Carmella Abraham, Class of 2018Tali Adler, Class of 2018

Kayla Arons Avraham, Class of 2018Dina Brawer, Class of 2018Chava Evans, Class of 2018Pessy Katz, Class of 2018

Claudia Marbach, Class of 2018Leah Sarna, Class of 2018

Melissa Scholten-Gutierrez, Class of 2018*Rebecca Blady, Class of 2019*Jenna Englander, Class of 2019*Miriam Gross, Class of 2019*Marianne Novak, Class of 2019*Tali Schaum, Class of 2019*Tanya Farber, Class of 2020*Shani Gross, Class of 2020

*Incoming Students


S C R o L L o F H o n o R

Yeshivat Maharat has been blessed by its Founding supporters, Leadership Cabinet, Meah Campaign donors,and Tribute Scroll contributors, each of whom has made this day possible.

L E A D E R S H I P C A B I n E T

Yeshivat Maharat gives special thanks to our Leadership Cabinet for their vision and support throughout the year, prioritizing women’s leadership at a high level.

The Leadership Cabinet members committed $50,000 - $100,000 per yearto sustain the goals and mission of Yeshivat Maharat.

Barbara Dobkin

Chani and Dr. Steven LauferMazel Tov to the graduates! We wish you much success in your important work. With admiration.

Belda z”l, and Marcel LindenbaumWe congratulate our six musmachot and wish them success in their communities.

Zelda R. Stern and Stanley RosenzweigIn memory of the extraordinary Belda Lindenbaum

Carol and Irv Smokler Mazel tov to the graduates, faculty and board

•

M E A H S P o n S o R S

Leonard Fassler

Jan and Andy Groveman

Ariel Groveman Weiner and Josh Weiner

Phyllis Hammer

Shai and Abigail Tambor

Ayelet and Jonathan Wiener



B u i l d e r $ 5 0 , 0 0 0 +

Jewish Women’s Foundation of New York

•

P a c e s e t t e r $ 2 5 , 0 0 0 +

The Jacob and Hilda Blaustein Foundation

Alfred Moses

Aaron Orlofsky

Dr. Erin Leib Smokler and Rabbi Dan SmoklerDearest graduates, Mazal tov! What a privilege it has been to share this journey with you andwhat a joy it is to watch you take on the world. The Jewish people are so lucky to have you.

With excitement, confidence, and admiration.

•

S u s t a i n e r $ 1 0 , 0 0 0 +

Dr. Carmella Abraham and Dr. Steven Kubersky

Dr. Giti Bendheim and Jack Bendheim

Dr. Susan Folkman

Sarah Hurand and Elie Weiss

Jewish Women's Foundation of the Greater Palm Beaches

Carol Kaufman Newman and Mel Newman

Sheila E. Klein

Meyer Koplow

Leah Krakinowski and Andy Silberstein

Linda Mirels

Elena Neuman Lefkowitz and Jay Lefkowitz

Stanley Silberstein

Audrey Simons

Marc and Harriet Suvall

Rabbi Avi and Toby Weiss

Name in light blue denotes student /alumna



•

C h a m p i o n $ 5 , 0 0 0 +

Marilyn and Jack Belz

Bikkurim, Inc.

Robert and Michelle Diener

Niko Elmaleh

Rabba Sara Hurwitz and Josh AbrahamMiriam, Lila, Anat, Avital, Yaffa and Melanie - I am so proud to count you as my colleagues.

The Jewish community is blessed to have you as its leaders.

Steven and Sharon Lieberman

Sally Mendelsohn and David Lowenfeld

Jeremy and Ann Pava

Targum Shlishi

Audrey Axelrod Trachtman and Chaim Trachtman

UJA-Federation of New York

•

P i l l a r $ 2 , 5 0 0 +

Dr. Esther Altmann and Richard CantorIn honor of our graduates - Six learned women of great wisdom,

strength, vision, and leadership. Mazal Tov!And in memory of Belda Lindenbaum, z”l

Tova Bulow

Dr. Barbara Gochberg and Steven Pretsfelder

Melanie and Dr. Mervyn Hurwitz

Alexandra Leichter

Atara Miller and Rabbi Benjamin Shiller

Burton and Gloria Nusbacher

Laurence and Daniela Schreiber

•



P a t r o n $ 1 8 0 0 +

Dr. Linda Belfer Weiner and Bernard WeinerIn honor of Ariel Groveman Weiner - Mom and Dad

Mayim BialikIn honor of my father, Binyomin Yidl ben Shayna Duba z”l, for fostering independence in women.

Sasha and Andrew Fox

Sally Gottesman and Rachel Tiven Melanie - Your commitment, leadership, teaching, heart & wise counsel are aspects of you we feel

blessed to have encountered... and we honor you and your new title of authority.

Shari and Nathan Lindenbaum

Valerie Altmann and Daniel Perla

Gail and Judah SchorrIn honor of Rabba Sara Hurwitz and Rabba Anat Sharbat. You guide with wisdom,

compassion & grace. Our heartfelt thanks & love.

•

G u a r d i a n $ 1 0 0 0 +

Robin and Allen Bodner

Hinda and Arnold Bramnick

Rella Feldman

Sandra Friedman

Judy HeicklenCongratulations to the graduates! May you go m’chayil l’chayil. Judy, Ricki, DD, and Shiri

Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld

Lila Kagedan

Sharon Koren and Matthew Cohen

Helen LandauCongratulations to Yeshivat Maharat for welcoming and celebrating the ordination of female spiritual leaders.

Drs. Melanie Landau and Michael Fagenblat

Drs. Naomi and Martin LeibIn honor of Dr. Erin Leib Smokler, whose spiritual energy ignites us all.

Lopatin Family Foundation




Martin and Judy Moritz

The New Kalman Sunshine Fund

Jen Pepper and Jed Bergman

Beth Pepper and Rabbi Jeffrey Fox

Seth Pinsky

Julie Shugarman and Ilan Gewurz

Rachel and Michael Simes Stein

Ina and David Tropper

Rivka Weiser and Ted Rosenbaum

•

S u p p o r t e r $ 5 0 0 +

Paul Albert

Dr. Myra Rapoport and Rabbi Michael Balinsky

Deborah Benik and Edward Shapiro

Margaret and Chaim Charytan

Gabriella de Beer

Andrea Fastenberg and Marcel Kahan

Dorothy and Herbert Fox

Mati and Aaron Friedman

Dr. Marcy Goldstein and Dr. Eran Bellin

Shira Gordon

Rabbi Yitz and Blu Greenberg

Beth Hait

Malka and Paul Herman

Avital HochsteinIn memory of khj ,at Belda Lindenbaum. With appreciation of and hopes for students and

t,urcj-s becoming colleagues.

Marshall and Dina Huebner



Barbara and Barry Landau and FamilyWe are so proud of our daughter, Melanie Landau. She has added a further dimension to her

global vision for Female Orthodoxy. We wish her every success in her endeavors.

Susanna Levin

Noam and Aviva Lockshin

David and Michele Morse

Laura Neylans-Kattan and Jack Kattan

Sarah Osborne

Seryl Ritter and Buddy SkydellIn honor of the Musmachot & in memory of Lillian Leibler Zivitz,

Ruth Herskowitz Skydell & Belda Kaufman Lindenbaum

Daniella Pressner and Rabbi Saul Strosberg

Professors Ruth Langer and Jonathan Sarna

David and Shani SchwartzIn honor of Dr. Anat Sharbat, With gratitude and best wishes for success as a leader

and teacher. Shani and David Schwartz and family

Dr. Nora Gold and Dr. David Weiss

David and Elsie Werber

•

A s s o c i a t e $ 3 6 0 +

Maharat Ruth Balinsky Friedman and Yoni Friedman

Dr. Arielle Berger and Dr. Daniel Held

Freda Birnbaum

Gail Katz and Mayer Bick

Doug and Deborah Klein

Karen KolodnyIn honor of Esther Altmann

Rabbi Simcha and Esther KraussDear Graduates, Mazal Tov on your great personal and communal achievements. We look forward

to the unique contributions you will surely make to harbatzat Torah and to thebetterment of Klal Yisrael. With respect and admiration.



Claudia Marbach and Daniel Jackson

Drs. Ailene and Noel NusbacherCongratulations: May you continue your outstanding work

Gabrielle ProppIn memory of Belda Lindenbaum A"H

Tsippi Shainhouse, Ilana and Gil Goldschein, Talia and Adam LebovitzMazel Tov, Lila on this great accomplishment!

Aviva and Binyamin SharbatWith delight and pride we wish Dr. Anat Sharbat, on getting semikha, the ability to lead,

help and empower women and repair the world. With love.

Lauren and Daniel Silverman

Devorah Zlochower and Rabbi Dov LinzerMazel tov and kol hakavod to the musmachot

•

S p o n s o r $ 2 5 0 +

Shira Berkovits and Ari Spiro

Nina Black

Shifra Bronznick

Tal Chitayat

Shani Cohen and Gil Orbach

Carole Daman

Darkhei Noam

Pam Ehrenkranz and Matt GreenbergKol hakavod to all the Semikha Recipients

Ellen and David Epstein

Shirley and Don FeldsteinMake that day come, for it isn’t a dream - tuv oukj tk hf ouhv ,t uthcv

Yaakov Rotblit oukak rha

Mark Friedman

Drs. Lauren and Jack Gorman




Bracha and David JaffeTo the graduates - Mazal Tov! It was an honor to learn with you and from you.May you find your special path as you spread your wisdom among Am Yisrael!

Rachel Tessler and Rabbi Asher LopatinMazal tov to all the new maharats and continuing growth and success

to Yeshivat Maharat and its outstanding leadership.

Judith and Dan Matz

Eli and Cecily Oberstein

Eliane and Joseph Rackman

Tobias and Eliane Robison

Dr. Shulie Rubin-Hochstadt and Daniel Hochstadt

Jill Thomas Sacks

Renée and Joe Septimus

Elizabeth Sippin

Howard Sragow

Dr. Rachel Stein and Rabbi Yonah Berman

Nancy Schwartz Sternoff

Yehuda Sugerman

Alissa Thomas-Newborn

•

F r i e n d $ 1 8 0 +

Jed Abraham

Ricky Holder Adler

Wendy Amsellem, Jon Kelsen, and Miriam GedwiserMazal tov to this year's graduates of Yeshivat Maharat! We have enjoyed learning with you

in the Beit Midrash and look forward to all that you will accomplish.

Anat Aronowicz

Benjamin Baader

Roselyn Bell and Eli Leiter




Carrie and Jamie BornsteinMazal tov Lila and Yaffa - powerhouses for creating the Jewish world we wish to see.

Ruth Bromberg

Dr. Shoshana Bulow

Dr. Steven and Rabbi Marion Lev Cohen

Drisha InstituteDrisha wishes mazal tov to our friend and colleague Yaffa Epstein and to the Maharat class of 2015!

Rabbis Jackie and David Ellenson

Yehudit and Edwin Epstein, Avraham and Michelle Epstein and Family,Rael and Sara Krengel and Family, Rivka Epstein and Michael Hattin and Family,

Josh and Chaya Hexter and FamilyMazal tov on your outstanding accomplishments. May you inspire our generation. Mechayil el chayil. So proud! Love you!

Yaffa EpsteinTo the Administration and Faculty of Yeshivat Maharat: It has been an honor and a privilege to humblycall you my colleagues. Thank you for the tireless efforts, and endless hours you invest in our students -

for their sake, and for the sake of the Jewish people.With tremendous thanks, and brachotfor only hatzlacha in all your endeavors.

Shira Billet and Rabbi Steven ExlerMazal tov and hatzlahah rabbah to all the graduates! With special appreciation and kavod

for Dr. Anat Sharbat’s leadership and service.

Hannah and Mark FagenblatDelighted and excited to see women taking their rightful place in Orthodox Judaism.

We are very proud of our daughter-in-law, Melanie!

Mark FenigIn memory of Eileen Shalita. May her memory be a blessing to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Shira Fishman

Danny and Sally FrankelIn honor of Dr. Anat Sharbat

Dr. Anat Sharbat and Ariel FreidenbergTo all the amazing graduates, Mazal Tov on this special day. May you go from strength to strength.

Erica Goldman

Dr. Amy Fox Griffel

Tina and David Gurtler

Jan Hackman

Laurel and Jonathan Hecht




Rabbi Jason Herman

Bernard and Roberta Horowitz

Timna HurwichIn loving memory of Belda Kaufman Lindenbaum

David Kanowitz

Nechama Katan

Ilana Nossel and Jordan Kolar

Ainat and Judah KollerIn honor of Yaffa and all the graduates. A true inspiration to all. Mazal Tov!

Ruth Langer and Jonathan SarnaIn honor of the 2015 Semikha recipients

Ruth Licht

Jessica and Stu Loeser

Richard McBee

Sharon Geller-Metal and Israel Metal

Rabbi Adam and Sharon Mintz

Arlynn and David Mirvis

Naomi and Peter Neustadter

Yonit and Dale NordenbergIn honor of Dr. Anat Sharbat

Gilda Oran

The Boards, Faculty & Staff of the Pardes Institute of Jewish StudiesMazal tov to our newly appointed North American Director of Education, Yaffa Epstein and alumnae,Miriam Gonczarska and Dr. Melanie Landau on their achievement. We are so proud to call you ‘ours’!

Rabbi Ephraim Pelcovits

Rebekah and Avraham Rasooly

Bonnie Sue Rauch

Diane Sandoval

The Savitt FamilyMazal Tov to Lila and all of the graduates! We are so proud of you and excited for your amazing future!

Maharat Abby Brown Scheier and Rabbi Adam Scheier

Mark and Ellen Schwartz




Deborah Shapira and Barry SternIn honor of Yaffa Epstein--mazal tov!

Rabbi Yussi ShapiroMiriam, you passionately love Jews, Judaism, and Torah texts!

!cuy kzn /lhhj hnh kf ubh,ujtu ubhjtk lnxhjtu rzgjt ,uhvku snkk sunkk hfhan,a rwwvh

Adina Shoulson and Todd SternMazal Tov to Anat Sharbat and all the Maharat graduates. You are role models to us all and will

contribute richly to our community and beyond.

David and Dina Silberman

Karin Fleisch and Daniel Silverstein

Susan Fink and Robert Smith

Stanton Street ShulMazel Tov to Avital!

Michelle and David Stone

Maureen and Victor Stone

Daniella and Jeffrey Wechselblatt

Arthur and Gertrude Weiss

•

A d v o c a t e $ 1 0 0 +

Rachel Adler

Tali Adler

Michael and Sarah Austerlitz

Joyce Ben-Ezra

Carol and Andy Blau

Rabbi Robyn Fryer Bodzin

Rabbi Naftali and Dina Brawer

Hannah-Jean and Bruce BrafmanCongratulations to all the newly ordained clergy! Special greetings to Dean Rabba Sara Hurwitz.

Marshall and Jennifer Breger

Rabbi Michael Brown




Dr. Eva Fogelman and Jerome Chanes

Karen Heilig and Ivan Ciment

Claire Dienstag

Rabbi Moshe Edelman

Rabbi Edward Elkin

Talia and Yoni Engelhart

Irving Falik

Beverly and Theodore Fettman

Marilyn R. Finkelman and Louis Finkelman

Dr. Frances Flug and Reuben Koolyk

Edna and Yehuda FreidenbergDearest Anat, The entire family congratulates you and wishes you success and satisfaction

in bringing guidance and inspiration wherever you go. With love.

Chanita Friedman

Rena and Harold Fruchter

Dr. Barbara Gaims-Spiegel and Robert M. Spiegel

Rabbi Barry Gelman

Rachel Milner Gillers and David Gillers

Beverly Goldsmith Druck and Andrew Druck

Daniel Gorlin

Dr. Sharon Weiss-Greenberg and Rabbi Ben GreenbergIn honor of the graduates, faculty, and administration of Yeshivat Maharat.

Dr. Brian and Jennifer Grosberg

Carrie Stieglitz and Maurice Grun

Becca Linden and Rabbi Ari Hart

Galit Hasen

Wendy Goulston HeligmanMazal tov Melanie and Yaffa! With loving respect and blessings.

Samantha Kur and Evan Hochberg

Yechiel and Daria Hoffman



Rabbi Yisrael Hollender

Judy Weiss Jackson

Lisa Fishbayn Joffe and Jonathan Joffe

Lisa and Noam Kagedan

Susan Kagedan

Rabbi Naomi Kalish

Scott and Erica Kaplan

Joan and Henry Katz

Elana Katz

Salma Kazmi

Irwin and Betty Keller

Eugene Korn

Evan Krame

Barbara Estrin and Dr. Berel Lang

Sol and Karen Liss

Margot Mann

Atara Margolies

Laura and Jeff Mendelsohn

Dr. Karen MockIn honor of Lila Kagedan - mazal tov and yasher koach!

Jennifer Medina and Josh PashmanCongratulations to Rabba Yaffa Epstein

David Picker and Ann Trail

Nina Bruder and Gary Pretsfelder

Gail Reimer and Professor Joseph Reimer

Dr. Alan and Janet Rosenthal

Rachel Wolkinson Rubinstein and Jason Rubinstein

Jill Salberg, Ph.D

Pnina Schacter



Dr. Roberta Solar and Rabbi Robert Schumeister

Shira Lipsky Schwartz and Daniel Schwartz

Tani Schwartz

Dr. Jack and Phyllis Shapiro

Naomi and Richard Shore

Ronnie Sichel

Naomi Steinberger

Amy Stone

Sherrie Stone

Julie Sugar and Rabbi Aaron Finkelstein

Antonia Tamplin

Nina Tarley

Sara Susswein Tesler and David Tesler

Rabbi Didi Thomas

Amy and Jonathan Vogel

Avril and Michael Weisman

Barbara Zakheim and Ron Kleinfeldt

Susan and Robert Zeif

•

D e v o t e e t o $ 9 9

Kayla Arons Avraham and David Avraham

Rabbi Leslie Bergson and Professor Mary Baron

Sara Barris

Neesa Berezin-Bahr

Audrey BeermanMazal tov Lila! With love from Hal, Auds, and Ari

Anat Barber and Avi Bloom

Rachel Weiss-Berger and Rabbi Benjamin Berger




Rachel Berger and Rabbi Joshua Frankel

Giovanna Blackston

David Brotsky

Aliza Levine and Eric Brown

Dr. Deborah Chargois

Miriam Stern and Michael Chernick

Ellen Cherrick

Rabbi Alan Cook

Carol and James Cunradi

Hilary Dalin

Belle Davis

Laurie Dinerstein-Kurs

Arline and Morton Doblin

Rabbi Amy Eilberg

Alisa Eilenberg

Avital Engelberg and Asaf Ziderman

Jonathan Esensten

Devorah Evron, The Elga Stulman Insitute, HaMidrasha, IsraelMazal Tov to Anat Sharbat and all the graduates on leading Jewish Women’s Rabbinic Leadership!

Danielle Fagenblat

Reb Mimi Feigelson

Cheryl Figlin

Maharat Rachel Kohl Finegold and Rabbi Avi Finegold

Aviva Braun-Finkler and Gary Finkler

Eileen and William Fisher

Debbie and David Fischman and family

Dr. Sylvia Barack Fishman and Phillip Fishman

Shalom Flank

Rabbi Cherie Koller-Fox and Prof. Everett Fox




Dasi Fruchter

Ruti Feuchhtwanger, CEO KolechWith excitement and admiration Kolech sends warm greetings to new MAHARATS

including Anat Sharbat, our former board member.

Elisha and Samuel Gechter

Elaine R. Goldman

Leslie Goldress

Rabbi Linda Henry Goodman

Gloria Golbert

Stefan and Wilhelmina Gottschalk

Robert and Judith Grauman

Howard and Carolyn Graybow

Phyllis and Michael Green

Ruth Brooks Gross

Melissa Scholten-Gutierrez and Nahum Gutierrez

Goldie Guy

Tamara Halle

Bonnie Hernandez

Sara Eve Jamison

Richard and Marilyn Jedwab

Ayah and George Johnson

Eric Kaplan

Rabbi R. Karpov

Pessy Katz

Yael and Will Keller

Chaye Kohl

Katherine Kurs

Arwen Kuttner

Talya Ladell




Batya Kent and Meir Lakein

Gilah Langer

Peter Levavi

Amara Levine

Rose Levine and June Levine

Rachel Lieberman

Dalia Lockspier and Rabbi Max Davis

Chaya and Chaim Marks

Dr. Melissa Meyers

Aliza Milner

Geela Naiman

Phyllis Parker and Charles B. Parker

Rabbi Nina Perlmutter

Anne Pfeffer

Alan and Barbara Phillips

Adina Poupko

Anne-Monique Vos Rapoport and Edward RapoportIn honor of Yaffa Epstein

Nessa Rapoport

Sandra and Dr. Samuel Rapoport

Dr. Heschel and Adinah Raskas

Annette Regner

Amy Eisner and Daniel Reich

Helene A Reisler

Rachel Weintraub and Scott Reiter

Morton and Dina Rinder

Saralee Rosen

Cynthia Samuels

Susan Sapiro



Leah Sarna

Ralph Schiller

Steven Schochet

Andrea and Charlie Schwartz

Gary and Elisabeth Shapiro

Mindy Mendelsohn and Dr. Alan Shapiro

Marc and Dany Shandler

Michal Sharbat, Efrat Sharbat Roth and Families/asuev .rtc hubha ,dhvbnf l,ujhka htkn vwwgcu (eue vwwhtrv) wwlk zg jf hf hkg vkgnk hkgww

Karin Shmueli

Nahama Shudofsky

Ramie Smith

Beth Snider

Aaron Steinberg

Carol Kozak Ward and Seth Ward

Deborah Wenger

Edith and Ward Wolff

Sara and Rabbi David Wolkenfeld

Yeshivat Maharat Structural Gemara Shiur, 2015In honor of our teacher and inspiration, Rabba Yaffa Epstein.

Nurit Jacobs Yinon: Aluma-FilmsMazal - Tov to Anat Sharbat and all the Musmachot who continue and Reinvigorate our tradition of:

“And forsake not the teaching of thy mother”

• • •


Yeshivat Maharat3700 Henry Hudson Pkwy, 2nd Floor, Riverdale, NY [email protected]

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