Women's Gallery: Showcasing Women in Jewish Leadership

For generations, mikvah has been one of the most central institutions of Jewish life. But for many women, it has also remained deeply private, rarely discussed openly and often understood primarily in terms of obligation. What might change if we thought about mikvah not only as a halachic practice, but as a source of spirituality, self-awareness, connection, and renewal?

In this episode of Women's Gallery, Joanne Greenaway speaks with Dr. Naomi Marmon Grumet, founder and director of the Eden Center in Jerusalem, about reimagining the place of mikvah in the lives of Jewish women. Beginning with the centuries-old custom of women immersing before Yom Kippur, they explore mikvah as an embodied form of spiritual preparation and a powerful opportunity to think about who we are and who we hope to become in the year ahead.

Their conversation moves into some of the most sensitive questions surrounding mikvah today: the role of mikvah attendants, autonomy and trauma, sexuality and relationships, women's halachic knowledge and authority, and whether our emphasis on privacy has sometimes created unnecessary secrecy and shame.

It's a wide-ranging conversation about tradition, women's bodies, spiritual renewal, and what it might mean for women to take greater ownership of one of Judaism's most intimate rituals.

Partake in the ancient custom of women's immersion on erev Yom Kippur. This helpful infographic from The Eden Center can guide you. It's also a wonderful time to introduce girls to mikveh in a spiritual context, without the overtones of relationship.

What does it mean to build a Jewish community where secular and religious, Sephardi and Ashkenazi, right and left can all find a place?

In this deeply moving conversation, Joanne Greenaway speaks with Tamar Elad-Appelbaum, founder of Kehilat Zion in Jerusalem and a leading voice for Jewish spiritual and communal renewal. Drawing on the faith of her Moroccan and Ashkenazi grandparents, Tamar describes a vision of Judaism that reaches beyond denominational labels and asks Jews to rediscover one another as a people.

Together, Jo and Tamar explore the challenge of creating new Jewish ritual after October 7, the spiritual needs of a younger generation, the tension between pluralism and extremism, and what Rosh Hashanah can teach us about judgment, happiness, responsibility, and hope. Tamar also reflects on her path as a female religious leader and her dream of a future in which women no longer need to justify why their voices belong in Jewish leadership.

At a moment of profound pain and division, this is a conversation about tradition that remains alive, leadership rooted in responsibility, and the possibility of rebuilding a Jewish people capable of seeing, hearing, and healing one another.

For years, women in Israel could study halakha at the highest levels, teach Torah, and answer complex religious questions, yet they were barred from taking the state rabbinical examinations open to men. Rabbi Sarah Segal-Katz helped lead the landmark legal battle that finally changed that.

In this episode of Women's Gallery, Joanne Greenaway speaks with Sarah about her journey into Torah scholarship, the long struggle to open Israel's rabbinical exams to women, and why access to religious knowledge and authority matters far beyond titles or recognition. They also explore the evolving place of women in Orthodox leadership, the relationship between feminism, halakha, and the State of Israel, Sarah's work creating religious language in response to October 7, and her hope for a future in which women serving as rabbis and religious authorities is no longer remarkable, but simply normal.

Conversion to Judaism is often misunderstood, both by those considering it and by the communities that receive them. In this episode, Netta Asner-Minster shares what she has learned from guiding hundreds of prospective converts, explains the realities of the Orthodox conversion process, and challenges common assumptions about "pushing converts away." Together with Joanne Greenaway, she explores how greater openness, education, and compassion can strengthen the Jewish future.

Dr. Guila Benchimol never expected to leave Jewish education for a career in criminology. Yet her journey led her to become one of the Jewish world's leading voices on abuse prevention, safeguarding, restorative justice, and institutional accountability. In this thoughtful and often challenging conversation, she reflects on what first drew her to this work, why abuse is never simply the result of one individual, and how communities can create cultures that are both safer and more compassionate. Joanne and Guila explore the lasting impact of the MeToo movement, the responsibilities of faith communities, the promise of restorative justice, and why genuine leadership requires the courage to confront uncomfortable truths while never losing love for the community itself.

Gvira Milworm has spent years helping transform economic opportunities for Haredi women in Israel, all while remaining firmly rooted in Torah values. As CEO of Temech, she has helped thousands of women build careers, launch businesses, and achieve financial stability without asking them to compromise their religious commitments.

In this episode of Women's Gallery, Joanne Greenaway speaks with Gvira about her own journey from the world of technology to nonprofit leadership, the remarkable economic transformation taking place within the Haredi community, and how meaningful work, entrepreneurship, family, and faith can reinforce rather than compete with one another. Their conversation explores leadership, self-care, the future of Haredi women in Israel's workforce, and the powerful question Gvira believes everyone should ask: What does Hashem want from me now?

What does the future of women's Torah scholarship look like?

Dr. Raizi Chechik, the inaugural director of the Pava Center for Women's Torah Scholarship at Yeshiva University, joins Joanne Greenaway to discuss an inspiring new vision for cultivating women as Torah scholars, educators, and teachers of Torah. Drawing on decades of experience as an educator, mentor, and head of school, she reflects on the mentors who shaped her, the philosophy that has guided her work, and why authentic Torah learning is resonating so deeply with today's young women.

Together, Joanne and Dr. Chechik explore how rigorous Torah scholarship, mentorship, and community engagement can prepare women to make meaningful contributions to Orthodox Jewish life while remaining deeply rooted in tradition. They discuss the remarkable response to the new program, the challenge of balancing innovation with continuity, and the importance of helping women see themselves not only as consumers of Torah, but also as producers and teachers of Torah. The conversation concludes with a moving reflection on hope, resilience, and the enduring wisdom of Torah in times of uncertainty.

For most Orthodox women, leadership does not begin with a microphone in a comedy club. But for award-winning comedian Rachel Creeger, humor has become a powerful way to represent Jewish life, challenge stereotypes, and create connection across communities. In this episode of Women's Gallery, Joanne Greenaway speaks with Rachel about forging a path where no roadmap existed, navigating life as an Orthodox woman in the performing arts, confronting antisemitism after October 7, and discovering that comedy can be a form of leadership. Rachel also reflects on being targeted and effectively canceled by venues because she is openly Jewish, and on her determination to respond not by retreating, but by speaking more boldly. Their conversation explores authenticity, resilience, public voice, and what happens when Jewish women refuse to be defined by other people's expectations.

What does it take to support the women who quietly sustain Jewish life?

In this inspiring conversation, Joanne Greenaway speaks with Aliza Bulow, founder of Core, a global organization that equips and connects women who serve as spiritual guides, community builders, educators, rebbetzins, mentors, and caregivers. From a handful of participants to a worldwide network spanning more than 100 cities across six continents, Core has become a movement dedicated to strengthening the women who strengthen everyone else.

Aliza shares her remarkable personal journey: from converting to Judaism as a teenager in Portland, Oregon, to studying in Israel, serving in the IDF, and ultimately creating an innovative model of leadership development rooted in connection, wisdom, and spiritual resilience. Along the way, she reflects on faith, loss, marriage, community responsibility, and why women's often-unseen leadership is indispensable to the future of Jewish life.

Together, Joanne and Aliza explore what it means to be a community pillar, how leaders can avoid burnout, why women need stronger support networks, and how trust, hope, and faith are transmitted from one generation to the next. This is a conversation about leadership, purpose, and the extraordinary impact of women whose influence ripples far beyond what most people ever see.

If you've ever wondered who supports the people everyone else turns to, this episode is for you.

This LSJS podcast is powered by The Walder Foundation and a generous anonymous donor. Visit lsjs.ac.uk/learning if you're looking to explore and strengthen your Jewish identity.

On this episode of Women's Gallery, Dr. Ayelet Hoffmann-Libson joins Joanne Greenaway for a wide-ranging conversation about women, Talmud, academia, and the future of Jewish learning.

A senior lecturer in Talmud at Bar-Ilan University and a leading public-facing Torah scholar, Dr. Hoffmann-Libson reflects on her journey from studying at Pelech and Midreshet Lindenbaum to teaching at Harvard, Penn, and Yale. Together, she and Joanne explore how women entering the world of advanced Torah study are reshaping both the Beit Midrash and academia, why Talmud should not remain the domain of an elite few, and how learning Torah can become a profound framework for thinking about human existence, authority, individuality, and religious life.

The conversation also examines the tensions between traditional and academic approaches to Talmud, the challenge of imposter syndrome for women in leadership, and why Dr. Hoffmann-Libson believes the next generation of Jewish women will fundamentally transform religious communities.

This is a thoughtful and deeply personal discussion about Torah, truth, intellectual courage, and what it means to make the Talmud accessible to everyone.

What does an observant life look like for spiritually aspirational women? Join the Women and Mitzvot course at LSJS with Joanne Greenaway, Dr. Lindsay Simmonds, and Rabbanit Rachel Weber Leshaw by signing up here.

For full information about Hadran's #SukkahChallenge starting June 1st, click here: https://bit.ly/42LdZzK

To register for the masechet #SukkahChallenge, click here: https://bit.ly/4drIXli

Read Law and Self-Knowledge in the Talmud by Dr. Ayelet Hoffmann-Libson. Order your copy today.

This LSJS podcast is powered by The Walder Foundation and a generous anonymous donor. Visit lsjs.ac.uk/learning if you're looking to explore and strengthen your Jewish identity.