Rivka Wietchner
Rivka Wietchner is a rabbinical student in Yeshivat Maharat and writing about gender and halakha as a graduate student in Bar Ilan University. She holds an MA in Theory and Policy of Art from Bezalel Academy of Art and is a member of the Israeli Rabbinate Network and an RLI fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute.
Previously, she was part of various Beit Midrash programs and served as halakha director in Midrashiya High School for Girls and as an OU-JLIC Co-Director and Educator at University of Chicago Hillel. She is originally from Har Bracha in Samaria, Israel and now lives in Jerusalem. She is a mother of four amazing kids and married to David, a rabbi and doctoral student at Bar Illan University. She believes in connection between different leaders and communities and hopes to develop a unique and inclusive halakhic voice by bringing together cultural theories and deep Torah study.
'לא בשמים היא.. ולא מעבר לים.. כי קרוב אליך הדבר מאוד בפיך ובלבבך לעשותו'
Torah is not far from us and there is no need to travel far in order to know what God wants us to do. And yet, in the Jewish tradition, there are scholars who would travel from Babylon to the Land of Israel and back, in order to teach and study Torah. I too have crossed the sea to study Torah. But why go looking for Torah overseas when it is close at hand?
בלבבך לעשותו
The Torah is not overseas but in our heart. In my heart I feel that a connection between the Torah of Israel and the Torah of Chutz Laaretz allows me to better understand the principles of the Torah and the common foundations of our people. My encounter with communities overseas has allowed me to expand beyond the Israeli context and to get to know more aspects of the Torah and its applications. So I learn Torah overseas, in order to bring it back to Israel and vice versa.
This moment is an opportunity to rejoice, give thanks and appreciate the journey which is not at all obvious. As an Israeli, this past year has been one of fear and uncertainty, but having connections with Jewish people outside of Israel made me feel so much stronger. and I am grateful for the privilege of celebrating this moment together.
Rabbi. Eliakim J (hornung) Schwarz
*$18.00
Anat Sharbat
*$180.00
Mazal Tov to all the musmachot, and to Yeshivat Maharat.
We pray for the chatufim, the chayalim, and the Akurim.
Rabbi Jason Herman, Executive Director, International Rabbinic Fellowship
*$180.00
Mazel Tov to everyone at Yeshiva Maharat and Yasher Kochachot to all the musmakhot. May you go mechayil el chayil!
Sarit and Jonathan Gribetz
*$360.00
Mazal tov Meytal, Yedidah, Dena, Meira, Rivka, Talia, Leah, Adina, Tamar, Miriam, Naima, and Rabba Sara! So proud of you!!!
Rabba Wendy Amsellem and Rabbi Mike Moskowitz
*$360.00
We are so inspired by what you have accomplished and so excited for the wonderful transformative work that you will do!
Liz Shayne (and Family)
*$360.00
Mazal tov to all of you! It was such a zechut to learn with you and from you and to be part of your Maharat journey!
Avital Morris
*$36.00
Rabbanit Tamar Green Eisenstst and Abe Eisenstat
*$10,000.00
Mazal tov to our amazing friends, colleagues, chevrutot, teachers, care providers, leaders, guides, wise souls and just general all around superstars. The rabbinate is blessed to have y’all join the ranks!
Adina and Farryl Roth
*$180.00
Avita Engelberg
*$80.00
Naima Hirsch Gelman
*$360.00
Mazal tov to Klal Yisrael on the semikha of my compassionate and erudite classmates!
Dr. Sarah Stemp
*$180.00
Rabbi Marianne Novak and Dr. Noam Stadlan
*$3,600.00
Congratulations to all the musmakhot on your accomplishment!