Eight Outstanding WomenRachel Reinfeld-Wachtfogel
Rachel studied in Nishmat’s Machon Gevoha program, the precursor to the Keren Ariel Yoatzot Halacha Fellows Program. Upon Rabbbanit Henkin’s request, after studying at Nishmat for several years, she began teaching gemara to students in the Alisa Flatow International Program in addition to teaching in a local high school. Rachel’s career path took her to focus entirely on Torah education for teens. In addition to running the bet midrash program in Ulpanat Noga, a girls high school in Bet Shemesh, she founded and directed Midreshet Afikim, a bet midrash program for Israeli teens held at Nishmat each summer. Rachel’s work with Afikim helped her maintain a strong connection with Nishmat. She now works at Midreshet Ohr Torah in Ramot, Jerusalem and answers halachic questions through the Meshivat Nefesh project. Rachel frequently gives shiurim throughout the country.
“Nishmat enabled me to flourish in the world of women’s Torah. I still feel at home in Nishmat’s bet midrash because it was there that I gained independence in Torah study. At Nishmat, I developed deep friendships based on shared values, which are still a strong anchor in my life today. It was, and still is, a privilege to learn and to work alongside the Rabbis, Rabbaniot, and even the administative staff of Nishmat, and learn from their warmth and derech eretz.”
