Bergen County (NJ) Lay Leaders, OU WI Leadership Summit, May 2023
WOMEN’S INITIATIVE
TORAH, LEADERSHIP, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FOR WOMEN
Visit WOMEN’S INITIATIVE
This past year we welcomed over 8,000 global subscribers to our Torat Imecha Nach Yomi program, which features daily audio lessons on Nevi’im and Ketuvim from esteemed women educators. Our communal mental health initiatives have engaged more than 150 rebbetzins, kallah teachers and professionals in kiruv and chinuch. We hosted close to 150 lay leaders at a leadership summit in Eatontown, New Jersey.
We reached over 10,000 women worldwide through our Torah and holiday learning and inspiration programs. Our Aseret Yemei Teshuvah booklets were sent to 6,500 people and the online version sent to over 15,000. In addition to Torat Imecha Nach Yomi, our online learning series and programs include Torat Imecha Parsha, a Rosh Chodesh Lunch ’N Learn series and special events for the chagim. These events feature virtual tours, lectures and interactive projects led by experts in art, history and psychology.
"THE TORAT IMECHA NACH YOMI PROGRAM GAVE MY MOTHER A”H, A PERSON WITH LIMITED TORAH KNOWLEDGE, THE ABILITY TO NOT ONLY LEARN NACH BUT TO FEEL A PART OF AND THRIVE IN THIS VAST COMMUNITY OF LEARNERS. ALREADY ON THE SECOND CYCLE, SHE WAS EXCITED TO UNDERSTAND THE VARIOUS STORIES AND NEVIOT ON A NEW AND DEEPER LEVEL. WITH HER SUDDEN PETIRA AND BEING INSPIRED BY HER DEDICATION TO TORAH LEARNING, I CONTINUE TO LEARN NACH YOMI AND LOOK FORWARD TO COMPLETING THE SECOND CYCLE."
Torat Imecha Nach Yomi educators serve as scholars-in-residence in communities across North America. In February 2023, educators were scholars-in-residence in 24 communities, highlighting the completion of Sifrei Nevi’im and launching Sefer Tehillim.
Tehillim 150 is an extension of the Torat Imecha Nach Yomi program designed for high school girls to learn meaningful messages from Sefer Tehillim. Taught by Yael Davidowitz, each day’s message concludes with “150 days, 150 ways to connect with our Creator.”
Thirty-three women were selected to be part of the second Foundations of Community Mental Health Support cohort to help them identify and support community members who are struggling with mental health issues.
Close to fi fty women attended a two-day seminar for the Foundations of Community Mental Health Support Fellowship Cohort 2022 and Cohort 2023 in Great Neck, New York. Rebbetzins, kallah teachers and kiruv and chinuch (education) professionals from across North America gathered to address timely issues facing the Orthodox community.
Professional development opportunities, both virtual and in-person, are provided for mikvah attendants and directors. WhatsApp groups connect attendants from across the world, creating a space of shared resources and support. The Women’s Initiative provides consulting to support mikvaos in establishing operations, defining roles and responsibilities and, if needed, staff training.
The Lay Leadership Summit is a two-day international conference bringing together women in lay leadership and professional roles from all different facets of the Jewish communal world, to learn, share ideas, brainstorm together and network. Close to 150 women attended the May 2023 summit and have continued working together via follow-up sessions, a WhatsApp group and planning community leadership training initiatives.
"THE SESSIONS WERE WONDERFUL AND PROFESSIONAL, AND I LEARNED FROM EACH ONE. THE NUMBER OF YOUNG WOMEN IN ATTENDANCE WAS SO IMPRESSIVE. IT’S DIFFICULT FOR JEWISH NON-PROFITS TO BRING IN YOUNG LEADERSHIP. THE OU HAS TAPPED INTO A GOLD MINE OF WOMEN, EACH OF THEM TREMENDOUS."
