Orthodox Women's Torah Leadership

The Orthodox Women’s Torah Leadership (OWTL) field building initiative was launched in January 2023 at a convening sponsored by Micah Philanthropies and the Walder Foundation. Micah Philanthropies is dedicated to building a field of Orthodox women’s Torah leadership by coordinating and supporting the efforts of organizations and passionate professionals, lay leaders and philanthropists working to develop, nurture and support women Torah leaders.

Drisha

Drisha, founded in 1979 by Rabbi David Silber, is the world’s first center for women’s advanced study of classical Jewish texts. To build the pipeline of the next generation of women scholars, Micah supports Drisha’s summer camp Talmud programs for middle school and high school girls.

Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance

Founded by our teacher and mentor Blu Greenberg 25 years ago, JOFA is the pioneering and leading organization that advocates for expanding women’s rights and opportunities within the framework of halakha, to build a vibrant and equitable Orthodox community. Micah initiated and funded JOFA’s Devorah Scholars from 2020-2024 and now provides general operating support for the organization.

Nishmat

Nishmat is one of the premiere centers for advanced Torah study for women in the world. Supporting both Nishmat’s Miriam Glaubach Center in North American and Kerem Ariel in Israel, Micah provides funding for the stipends and training of Yoatzot Halacha. Women who train to be Yoatzot Halacha are selected for their extensive Torah knowledge, leadership ability and deep religious commitment. Graduates of this program serve in communities and synagogues across the globe, fostering the observance of Taharat Mishpacha (family purity) and serve as role models and teachers. Micah also supports the publication and distribution of Nishmat Habayit 2 and 3, compilations of responsa composed by a team of Yoatzot Halakha.

The Orthodox Leadership Project

The Orthodox Leadership Project promotes Orthodox women as impactful leaders of Jewish communities. Micah supports its Women’s Advanced Halakha Program, in partnership with Ohr Torah Stone, a program for teachers, scholars and professionals already in positions of Jewish leadership, providing them with the knowledge and tools necessary to grow in their roles.

Prizmah Center for Jewish Day School

In addition to providing general operating support for Prizmah (see under day schools), Micah initiated and funds Prizmah’s Orthodox Women in Day School Leadership initiative, designed to support current Orthodox women Heads of School, strengthen the pipeline of women leaders, and identify and nurture the cultures and conditions essential for Orthodox women leaders’ success.

Sefaria

Sefaria is dedicated to building the future of Jewish learning in an open and participatory way by assembling a free-living library of 3000 years of Jewish texts and their interconnections, in Hebrew and in translation. With these digital texts, they create new, interactive interfaces for the web, tablet and mobile, allowing more people to engage with the textual treasures of our tradition. With the goal of increasing the amount of available and accessible women’s scholarships, the foundation provides lead funding for Sefaria’s Author Initiative: Supporting and Mentoring Women’s Text Scholarship.

Susi Bradfield Women’s Institute of Halakhic Leadership

Based in Israel and founded by Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, Ohr Torah Stone is a Modern Orthodox movement of 30 institutions and programs making a transformative impact on Jewish life, learning and leadership worldwide.

The Susi Bradfield Women’s Institute of Halakhic Leadership at Midreshet Lindenbaum is a five-year-long, full-time yeshiva that provides women scholars with the opportunity to engage in Torah study on a level high enough to join the top circle of Torah scholars and leadership. With an eye towards expanding roles and career opportunities for graduates of the program, and ultimately women Torah scholars throughout Israel, Micah supports both the training as well as a placement professional who works with graduates to find positions throughout Israel.

Yeshiva University- GPATS

The Graduate Program in Advanced Talmudic Studies (GPATS) is the only Orthodox two-year master’s program that provides women an opportunity for post-college, high-level study to further their growth in skills in advanced Talmud, Tanach and Halakhic studies. This program creates an elite cadre of female scholars of who will serve as leaders and role models for the Orthodox community and Jewish community at large. After completing the two-year program, the women will receive a master’s degree in biblical and Talmudic interpretation. Micah funds both the Graduate Program and a micro-grant incubation fund for GPATS students launching their own learning initiatives.

Yeshivat Maharat

Yeshivat Maharat, founded in 2009, is the first Yeshiva in America to ordain women to serve as Orthodox clergy. By providing a credentialed pathway for women to serve as clergy, they increased the community’s ability to attract the best and brightest into the ranks of its rabbinic leadership. In addition, by expanding the leadership to include women, they seek to enliven the community at large with a wider array of voices, thoughts, and perspectives. Micah provides multi-year operating support for Maharat.

Hadran: Advancing Talmud Study for Women

Hadran aims to make Talmud study accessible to Jewish women at all levels. It does so in a unique way: by providing a wide range of resources – daily Talmud study support, commentary, topical shiurim, insights – in the voice of women teachers. These resources present the material in clear ways, with explorations of context and explanations of basic Talmudic assumptions, making them interesting, engaging, and meaningful. Hadran believes that an accessible digital hub of Talmud study will advance women’s Talmud learning worldwide. Micah provides general operating support and funding for Hadran’s Beyond the Daf program, which focuses on topical insights and shiurim by contemporary women Torah scholars.

Kolech, Religious Women Forum

Micah supports Kolech: Religious Women’s Forum, in creating social change for the purpose of promoting the status of women, gender equality, and women’s rights in Israel.

Matan-The Sadie Rennert Women's Institute for Torah Studies

Matan has been at the cutting edge of Torah learning for women since it was established in 1988.  What began as a small group studying around a dining room table with Rabbanit Malke Bina, has developed into a dynamic, broad based institute with intensive Beit Midrash programs and a wide array of innovative and challenging learning opportunities for women of all ages and from all backgrounds. Micah supports Kitvuni, a fellowship for women writing books of Torah scholarship.

The Downtown Minyan

The Downtown Minyan is a vibrant, warm, innovative, and growing Jewish community in downtown Manhattan dedicated to cultivating purpose-driven Jewish living for young adults. Micah supports Mijal Bitton in her role as Rosh Kehilla.

Batsheva Learning Center

The Batsheva Learning Institute seeks to empower a new generation of confident and competent Chabad and Chabad-adjacent female leaders and educators by creating a community for women that centers around authentic Torah learning and where women have the unique opportunity to explore original texts and develop their independent Torah learning skills. Micah provides general operating support for the women’s Beit Midrash as well as pilot funding for the Institute’s new Shluchos Advanced Halakhic Training Program.

The Palm Collective

The Palm Collective is a private, global community and trusted partner for today’s Jewish philanthropists, offering meaningful connections, learning opportunities, and personalized resources. Micah supports its first cohort of Orthodox women funders.

Arev Fund

Micah participates in the Arev fund, a giving circle whose mission is to use and promote impactful female Jewish philanthropy to spur change, with a particular focus on the advancement of women.

OTS Pava Hadas Army Program

The Ohr Torah Stone Pava Hadas program offers spiritual and emotional support to hundreds of religious women enlisted in the IDF, allowing them to fulfill their patriotic duty without compromising their religious commitment.

Ematai

Ematai is dedicated to supporting Jewish through the complexities of aging and end-of-life care with Jewish wisdom and halacha. Micah supports Ematai’s new intensive training text-based fellowship for women Torah scholars, equipping them with the education and skills to provide individual support and communal leadership on the religious challenges of end-of-life care.

Netivot Shalom

Netivot Shalom is a thoughtful and inclusive Modern Orthodox Beit Knesset committed to the intentional practice of Torah, tefillah, chesed and community. Micah supports a co-clergy model at Netivot Shalom, where a Rabbi and Rabbanit lead the synagogue in full partnership.

Ceres

Micah supports Ceres’ Climate Action 100+ program, which is working to ensure the world’s largest corporate greenhouse gas emitters take necessary action on climate change.

Citizens' Climate Education

Citizens Climate Education is a nonpartisan grassroots advocacy organization that empowers individuals to educate key stakeholders, policymakers, and the general public about effective solutions to climate change. Micah supports CCE’s Conservative Outreach efforts.

Environmental Defense Fund

Environmental Defense Fund is one of the world’s leading and most influential environmental organizations. Guided by science and economics, they find practical and lasting solutions to the most serious environmental problems. Micah supports their work with aquaculture in order to develop sustainable production of healthy seafood meeting the most stringent environmental and health standards.

For more than 90 years, the Jewish Agency for Israel has worked to overcome the biggest challenges facing the Jewish people. Micah supports the Jewish Agency as they create links globally—bringing Jews to Israel and Israel to Jews around the world. Micah supports JAFI’s efforts on behalf of Ukrainian immigrants to Israel.

New England Jewish Academy

Micah supports New England Jewish Academy, a Pre-K – 12 Orthodox Jewish Day School based in West Hartford, CT. Micah initiated and supports an innovative and responsive tuition subsidy initiative for all NEJA students, helping grow the school and the West Hartford Orthodox community.

Prizmah Center for Jewish Day School

Micah is an active and leading supporter of Prizmah: Center for Jewish Day Schools, a national network of day schools and yeshivas focused on building and strengthening the Jewish day school field by identifying and investing in talent, catalyzing resources, and supporting educational innovation.

Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Hartford

Micah supports Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Hartford, a Jewish day school located in West Hartford, CT that nurtures and inspires the next generation of creators and thinkers to make positive change in the global community through dynamic, forward-looking models of education guided by Jewish principles and values.

American Israel Education Foundation

The American Israel Education Foundation (“AIEF”) is the charitable organization affiliated with AIPAC, America’s pro-Israel lobby. One of its signature initiatives is funding educational seminars to Israel for members of Congress and other political influentials. Micah supports AIEF in their support of educational programs including Middle East research, educational materials and conferences, and leadership programs for university students.

Washington Institute

Washington Institute is the one of the leading institutes in the world devoted to advancing a balanced and realistic understanding of American interests in the Middle East and to promote the policies that secure them. Micah supports Washington Institute with a general operating grant.

Jewish Institute for National Security of America

JINSA is a non-partisan, non-profit organization that focuses on promoting U.S. national security interests in the Middle East, with a strong emphasis on the U.S.-Israel security relationship. JINSA conducts educational programs, research, and policy recommendations to influence U.S. policy related to these interests. Micah provides general operating support.

Bnai Zion Media

Bnai Zion media creates media that shapes how Gen Z and non-denominational Christiam audiences engage with Israel and the Jewish people. Micah supports the development of ROVA mini-documentaries and social media content.

American Engagement Network

American Engagement Network mobilizes networks of university faculty and administration to counter antisemitism, oppose the denegation of Jewish and Zionist identities, promote academic freedom and advance education about Israel. Micah supports AEN with a general operating grant.

Fuente Latina

Fuente Latina is a non-profit media organization founded to promote accurate and balanced reporting on Israel and the Middle East in the Spanish-speaking world.  It provides resources and support to Spanish-language media outlets, journalists, and influencers, offering them access to information, experts, and media materials related to the region. Fuente Latina also works to counter misinformation and bias in Spanish-language media, particularly concerning Israel and the Jewish community. Micah provides Fuenta Latina with general operating support.

Boundless Israel

Boundless Israel is a U.S.-based think-action tank focused on revitalizing Israel education and combating Jew-hatred. It aims to build a Jewish future that is courageous, knowledgeable, and connected to Israel, with no room for hatred. Boundless identifies and addresses challenges that hinder effective Israel education and engagement, and it strives to disrupt negative perceptions and build new perspectives.

Sixpoint Media

Sixpoint seeks to decrease antisemitic perceptions of Jews and Israel in the US, by leveraging media to foster positive feelings about, empathy toward, or allyship with the Jewish community among the widest possible “winnable audiences.” In the traditional media space, Sixpoint works to address the messaging gap, helping to place messengers and develop stories and content that offer more fair and accurate coverage of Jews and Israel. On social media platforms, Sixpoint works to expose audiences to and familiarize them with the expansiveness of the Jewish people, histories, and culture to humanize the Jewish community. Through it all, Sixpoint acts behind the scenes, working with and through an extensive network of contacts in media, communications, and entertainment. Micah supports Sixpoint with a general operating grant.

ADL

ADL is the global leader in the effort to combat antisemitism, counter extremism, battle bigotry and protect democracy.

Hadar

Founded in 2006, Hadar works to empower Jews to create and sustain vibrant, practicing, egalitarian communities of Torah, Avodah and Chesed by offering immersive experiences with deep Jewish content. Micah provides multi-year operating support for Hadar and its regional expansion in targeted cities throughout the United States. Micah also supports the Hadar Community Groups program, designed to empower individuals to build small local community based on shared interests in the realms of Torah, Avodah and Chesed.

Jewish Federations of North America

icah supports Jewish Federation of North America, which consists of 146 local federations, and its mission is to protect and enhance the well-being of Jews worldwide through meaningful contributions to community, Israel and civil society. Micah currently supports Live Together; a program designed to build bridges across communities for a stronger civil society, as we as an effort to combat BDS in the corporate sector.

Jewish Funders Network

JFN is a global network of foundations and philanthropists whose mission is to promote meaningful giving and improve philanthropy in the Jewish world. Micah is a member of the network.

JJ Greenberg Institute

The J.J. Greenberg Institute for the Advancement of Jewish Life is a division of Hadar that promotes the teachings of our teacher and mentor Rabbi Yitz Greenberg, seeking to sustain a vision of Jewish life that is fully integrated into postmodern culture. Micah’s grant supports the production and dissemination of an array of muti-media presentations of Rabbi Greenberg’s teachings and supporting the recruitment and training of the next generation of Jewish leaders and educators who will further spread this Torah.

tion of Jewish leaders and educators who will further spread this Torah.

PJ Library

With over 230,000 Jewish children’s books sent out monthly to families across North America and over 20 million books sent out since its launch by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, PJ Library is one of the Jewish community’s most successful outreach, engagement, and identity building programs. Nothing matches the excitement children and families experience monthly as they rip open their envelope to reveal another quality Jewish themed book. The books are a gift from the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, the local community partner (Jewish Federations or Jewish Community Centers) and a group of philanthropists known as PJ Alliance Partners. Micah is proud to be a member of the PJ Alliance.

Pardes

Micah supports Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, an inclusive and intellectually challenging Jewish learning community in Jerusalem with programs worldwide.

Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford

Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford protects and enhances the well-being of Jews worldwide and locally through the values of Tikkun Olam, tzedakah and Torah. The Federation galvanizes the community in times of crisis for emergency fund raising campaigns such as the most recent efforts to support and rescue Ukrainians. Micah supports the annual campaign and emergency campaigns as needed.

Joint Distribution Committee

The American Joint Distribution Committee is the leading global Jewish humanitarian organization. Micah supports JDC’s efforts to rescue and support Ukrainians.

Jewish Family Services

Jewish Family Services of Greater Hartford is the leading social service agency in the West Hartford community, providing a wide array of services to the Jewish community and the community at large. Micah is the founding funder of JFS’ innovative Comprehensive Community Supports: Embracing Independence program, designed to help community members become financially and socially independent through a combination of professional social services and community volunteer frameworks.

Emunah of America

Emunah is dedicated to caring for the most vulnerable children and families in Israel. These programs encompass crisis and counseling centers, multi-purpose day care centers, homes for children at risk, high schools, and college. Micah supports Emunah’s children’s home in Afulah a lifeline to children who cannot live at home as their parents are unwilling or unable to care for them.