Seminary Limits Men’s Influence

By COLlive reporter

A seminary for Chabad girls, which will be opening this coming year in California, is planning to limit the interaction male teachers have with the students, COLlive has learned.

Ohel Sara of Los Angeles, named after the late Rebbetzin Sara Rochel Schochet OBM, made the decision to have rabbis and shluchim on its faculty only in roles of teachers or lecturers.

Among them are Los Angeles’ Chabad Rabbi Shimon Raichik, posek Rabbi Yosef Shusterman, Valley Shliach Rabbi Yehoshua Gordon, Agoura Shliach Rabbi Shlome Bistritsky, Rabbi Avrohom Union of the Beth Din of the Rabbinical Council of California, Cheder Menachem principal Rabbi Mendy Greenbaum, Rabbi Moshe Kesselman of Congregation Shaarei Tefilla, Rabbi Reuven Wolf of Maayon Yisroel Chassidic Center and USC Shliach Rabbi Dov Wagner.

The latest addition is the seminary namesake’s husband, Rabbi Ezra Schochet, Rosh Yeshivas Ohr Elchanan Chabad in Los Angeles, whose daughter Mrs. Hadassa Spalter is running the seminary with Mrs. Chanie Pinson as the educational director.

For personal guidance and a listening ear, the students will have a stellar female staff in the roles of Mashpia and the ones leading farbrengens and discussion groups, in addition to teaching.

Mrs. Spalter said that while they are honored to have the rabbis give of their time and share of their vast knowledge, “we aim to empower our young women to take leadership roles in women’s institutions and realize their potentials.”

“We will be looking to hire women in the roles suited for a young women’s seminary, such as mentors and ‘mashpia’ and being the ones to inspire and farbreng in the spirit of the Torah, as the Rebbe directed, and the way Bnos Yisroel should be educated,” Spalter said.

Female staff members are Mrs. Devorie Kreiman, former principal of Bais Rebbe Junior High School in Los Angeles, lecturer and counselor Mrs. Chana Rachel Schusterman, veteran teacher Mrs. Sara Shusterman, school psychologist Mrs. Devora Zheutlin, LA Shlucha and educator Mrs. Ruchie Stillman, noted educator Mrs. Elky Einhorn, Valley Shlucha Mrs. Debbie Gordon, and Beverlywood Shlucha and Garden School Director Mrs. Geula Newman.

In addition to Mrs. Kreiman’s teacher training courses, educational consultant Mrs. Simi Feigen will be sharing her expertise and professionalism in highly leveled and skilled teachers training courses.

The tools she teaches will assist girls in all areas of life where they may be and not limited to the classroom to a teaching position. Feigen will also be giving a college level course in Hebrew, “safa meduberet” which will complement Bayit Yehudi classes taught in Hebrew by Mrs. Batsheva Schochet.

Mrs. Chaya Rochi Cohen, wife of a Mashpia in Ohr Elchanan, will be teaching Inyonei Geula Umoshiach.

And if all these names are not enough, the Ohel Sara seminary is bringing Chaya Mushka Tiefenbrun of London and Doba Raskin of Crown Heights, graduates of Beis Chana seminary in Tzfas, as this year’s “Shluchos.”

“We are looking forward to welcoming our first year’s students who have been carefully chosen based on their hashkafos, midos, and academic motivation,” said Mrs. Spalter.

“These two unbelievable Shluchos will be help round out the daily structure and add an exciting atmosphere to the programs, Shabbatons and more.”

For more info, visit LAseminary.com