WHAT IS

A COMMUNITY
We create a community for women that centers around authentic Torah learning.

A MOVEMENT
We offer women unique opportunities to explore
original texts of Torah and develop their independent learning skils.

OUR FUTURE
We dream to empower a new generation of confident and competent female leaders and educators.
OUR GROWTH
2020
25 women joined our virtual summer Gemara courses.
100 people joined our #1PerekaDay Rambam Campaign launch.
50 women from 4 locations joined Niddah Course.
2019
100 students signed up for our High School Chidon.
50 women at our weekly Sushi and Study program.
4 new courses developed.
2018
30 students signed up for our Fall Semester.
50 people signed up to join our Chai Club!
We developed 2 new courses and launched them in 3 cities around the country.
Our Chidon went national, with students from 10 schools participating.
2017
20 finalists competed in our first High School Chidon.
Over 100 women participated in our Gemara and Chassidus classes.
Sushi and Study exploded to an average of 30 participants every week!
2016
12 students joined our immersive learning retreat in the Catskills.
30 students joined our weekly Gemara and Chassidus classes.
We launched our weekly Chavrusa program, Sushi and Study.
2015













OUR TEAM
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CHANA SILBERSTEIN, PhD
Chana Silberstein has been the educational director of Chabad of Ithaca for 32 years. She was the dean of curriculum for the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute for 9 years and she was instrumental in opening three schools. Mrs. Silberstein is currently an organizational consultant. Her clients include Merkos Room 302 and Menachem Educational Foundation. Mrs. Silberstein has been an invaluable mentor for the Batsheva Learning Center since its inception, helping us define its vision and pathways of growth.

BATSHEVA ALTEIN
Batsheva Altein is one of the founding members of Batsheva Learning Center and has been a driving force behind the organization since its inception. Today she is a busy full-time shlucha and mom in London, UK, but she stills finds time for her life passion of empowering women in knowledge of Torah. Batsheva serves on the governing board of Batsheva Learning Center, offering her unique insight built on her years of experience in organizations as diverse as The Jewish Children's Museum, The Algemeiner, Friendship Circle International, and Chabad of Crouch End.

MARISA LEWITAN
Marisa Lewitan was raised in LA in a traditional Jewish home. She attended UCLA where she became involved with JLIC and Chabad on Campus, and eventually attended Mayanot. Marisa discovered Batsheva Learning Center when our founder, Hadassah Shemtov, moved to LA. She is passionate about giving women access to Jewish learning and is excited about our mission. Marisa also has an extensive background in banking, payroll, benefits, and other financial services.
ADVISORY BOARD

SHLOMO YAFFE
Rabbi Yaffe is a scholar and lecturer who has led seminars worldwide. He lives in Springfield, MA, serves as rabbi of Congregation Bnai Torah, and serves as the Dean of the Institute of American and Talmudic Law and the director of the Institute for Judaic Knowledge. Rabbi Yaffe is an innovative educator who has been involved in providing high level Torah learning opportunities for women for over 25 years. He has been a dedicated board member and teacher since our first steps as an organization and he is excited about being a part of creating a new generation of empowered female leaders and educators.

RIVKY KAPLAN
Rivky Kaplan is a talented teacher and lecturer from Tzfat, Israel. She has been teaching Torah classes in various seminaries, as well as many adult education classes for the past twenty two years. She is passionate about engaging her students in the text and making Torah concepts personal and relevant. She has supported Batsheva’s mission since its inception and recently got more involved in advising and contributing to our curriculum development. Her experience as an educator and her vast Torah knowledge have been invaluable assets to the organization.
EXECUTIVE TEAM

HADASSAH SHEMTOV
Director
Hadassah co-founded Batsheva Learning Center in 2015 and continues to shape the organization’s vision and direct its ongoing activities. She is passionate about education and excited about creating innovative learning opportunities for women. She lives in Los Angeles where she teaches Gemara and Chumash to high school girls.
