Nishmat was founded in 1990 by Rabbanit Chana Henkin to open the gates of higher Torah learning to women. Now situated in its beautiful campus in Jerusalem’s Pat neighborhood, south of Katamon, Nishmat has become a world center for women’s scholarship, leadership, and social responsibility, and a world leader in paving a new path for women in Jewish life. Ten years after its founding, Nishmat created the new religious role of Yoatzot Halacha, women halachic advisors, opening the way for women in religious leadership. At the same time, the school established what has become an acclaimed advancement program for Ethiopian-Israelis, coupling Jewish studies with an intensive program moving talented young Ethiopian women from the social margins to the mainstream of Israeli society.
Nishmat has a range of programs catering to women of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities. Nishmat unites native Israelis and new immigrants, Americans, East and West Europeans, and more, in a warm, cohesive learning community.
Our Shana Ba’Aretz program offers post-high school students the opportunity to enter the world of higher Torah learning in an environment which is intellectually rigorous and spiritually nourishing, while experiencing Israel as an insider with fellow-Israeli students.
Nishmat’s Alisa Flatow International Program offers English speaking women of college age and above a challenging Torah learning experience, emphasizing skills development and textual mastery together with a clarification of what it means to be a Jewish woman, and uniting women of diverse backgrounds and ages. The program caters to all levels of learning, from beginner to advanced.
Nishmat’s Keren Ariel Program is a 2-year fellowship providing highest-level halachic study and training Yoatzot Halacha for leadership positions around the world.
Our Israeli Midrasha offers women an intensive year of rigorous text-based Torah learning in the year following National or Israel Defense Forces service, with the option of continuing on to Shiur Bet-Gimel-Dalet and Heh in our Educators’ Program.
Nishmat’s Ma’ayan program enables talented Ethiopian-Israelis to join the world of higher Torah learning together with a rigorous college preparation program, and the option of joining Nishmat’s Joint College Program.
Whether you are probing your heritage for the first time, or have been learning Torah your whole life, Nishmat has a program for you.