Nishmat's Halachic Consultants: Bridging the Gap for Women in Jewish Law
Translated & summarized from Makor Rishon by baba
Rabbi Chana Henkin founded Nishmat's halachic consultant program thirty years ago to provide women with a comfortable avenue for asking questions about Jewish law, particularly family purity. Over 200 women have been trained, handling about a million questions via hotline and online platforms. The program emphasizes women's ability to confide in other women for more effective guidance. Nishmat also offers specialized support for issues like fertility and mental health, adapting to the realities of women's lives, including security concerns in Israel.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Nishmat has trained over 200 women as halachic consultants in the past 30 years.
- These consultants have answered approximately one million questions from women worldwide.
- The program provides a comfortable space for women to discuss sensitive halachic issues.
- Nishmat's curriculum integrates halachic, medical, and psychological studies.
- Specialized programs address fertility, mental health, and security-related challenges.
- Rabbi Chana Henkin is the founder and president of Nishmat.
Rabbi Chana Henkin, founder and president of Nishmat, the Jerusalem College for Women, has revolutionized the world of Jewish law by establishing a program to train women as "halachic consultants." The initiative, born from a personal encounter in the 1990s where a friend's marital issues remained unresolved due to her inability to fully disclose sensitive details to a male rabbi, aims to provide women with a comfortable and understanding first point of contact for questions concerning family purity and other halachic matters.
Over the past thirty years, Nishmat has trained over 200 women as halachic consultants, who have responded to approximately one million questions from women worldwide. The program, now in its 15th cycle, operates a hotline receiving 35-45 calls nightly and maintains websites in multiple languages. These consultants, who are salaried by Nishmat, also offer support in areas like fertility and have expanded to include international branches.
Rabbi Henkin emphasizes that the program's success stems from women's ability to open up more fully to other women, leading to more accurate and personalized guidance. She contrasts this with the "broken telephone" scenario of a woman sending her husband to a rabbi or feeling rushed when approaching a male rabbi directly. The curriculum includes not only halachic studies but also medical and psychological aspects, recognizing the interconnectedness of these fields with women's lives.
Nishmat has also developed specialized programs, such as "Vematzana Menucha," which combines halachic guidance with psychological support for women dealing with issues like Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) that manifest in their observance of family purity laws. The program has also addressed the unique challenges faced by women in southern Israel due to security concerns, adapting halachic guidance to their reality.
Rabbi Henkin, who recently received the "Boni Tzion" award for her contributions, reflects on her journey from growing up in the United States to becoming a central figure in Israeli religious life. She highlights her early experiences in Beit She'an, where she worked to improve educational outcomes and community engagement, as formative. Despite the personal sacrifices, including time away from her family due to extensive fundraising abroad, she remains dedicated to her mission of empowering women within the framework of Jewish law.