Ruthie Braffman Shulman
Ruthie Braffman Shulman is the inaugural Young Israel Community Scholar and Yoetzet Halacha.
In her new role, Ruthie Braffman Shulman will work with the synagogue’s leadership to serve our ever-growing community and enhance our Torah and learning opportunities and programming.
In addition, she will serve as Greater Hartford's first Yoetzet Halacha (Jewish law counselor) providing counseling and Halakhic (Jewish legal) guidance in matters of Taharat HaMishpacha (Family Purity), intimacy, and women's health.
Through in-person visits and remote engagements on Zoom and by phone, she will create a presence in town and be accessible from afar.
This position is made possible through a generous grant from Micah Philanthropies.
Ruthie has been passionate about Torah Leadership and contributing to Jewish synagogue life since spending her first Shabbat as a Congregational Intern at the Hebrew Institute of White Plains while studying in Yeshiva University’s Graduate Program for Advanced Talmudic Studies for Women (GPATS). She has worked in community leadership and education for more than 10 years, including as an OU-JLIC campus educator at the University of Pennsylvania, founder of the OU-JLIC program at Drexel University and Director of Education at Manhattan Jewish Experience (MJE) on the Upper West Side. Most recently, Ruthie was the Director of Education and Engagement at United Orthodox Synagogues of Houston and a Devorah Scholar.
In addition to earning an M.A. in Talmud at GPATS, Ruthie studied in Sha’alvim for Woman and Yeshiva University's Stern College, and is currently studying to be Yoetzet Halacha in Nishmat’s Miriam Glaubach Yoatzot Halacha Fellows Program. Ruthie and her husband, Danny Shulman, are thrilled to be joining the Young Israel of West Hartford community and look forward to meeting everyone. They currently live in Bala Cynwyd, PA with their two children, Raanan (6) and Meital (4).
Yoatzot Halacha (singular Yoetzet Halacha) are women trained by Nishmat’s Miriam Glaubach Yoatzot Halacha Fellows Program. They devote two years (over 1000 hours) to intensive study with rabbinic authorities in Taharat HaMishpachah, Jewish family ritual law. They also receive training from experts in modern medicine and psychology, including gynecology, infertility, women’s health, family dynamics, and sexuality.
Upon graduation and passing a extensive certification process, Yoatzot Halacha provide counseling and Halakhic (Jewish legal) guidance to women and families in matters of Taharat HaMishpacha (Family Purity), intimacy, and women's health.
For years, Yoatzot Halacha have served in strongly committed halakhic communities throughout Israel and the Diaspora. American communities include Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Teaneck, Riverdale, Manhattan, Fair Lawn, Boston, Five Towns and now the Greater Hartford area!
Most candidates have spent 2-3 years post-college studying Talmud and halachic texts in addition to a strong yeshiva background and years studying in Israel and college. All of the women display religious and personal integrity so that they can serve as proper role models to others.
The role of Yoatzot Halacha has won praise from Yeshiva University. the Rabbinical Council of American and the Orthodox Union.
WHAT SORT OF THINGS CAN OUR YOETZET HALACHA DISCUSS?
| -Mikveh Immersion | -Fertility |
| -Pregnancy & Childbirth | -Menopause |
| -Postpartum & Breastfeeding | -Family Planning |
| -Gynecological Procedures | -Cancer Treatment & Mikveh Related Issues |
| -Marital Intimacy |
UPCOMING EVENTS WITH RUTHIE
Fri, April 19 2024
11 Nisan 5784
