Midreshet Lindenbaum enables mothers to participate
in their daughters’ Israel experience.
By HANNAH KATSMANMother-and-daughter team Rachel and Jo Hochhauser at Midreshet Lindenbaum(photo credit: HANNAH KATSMAN)
When parents from overseas visit their children studying in one of the many post-high-school programs in Israel, they take them out to dinner, or maybe to Eilat.But the leadership of the Maria and Joel Finkle Overseas Program at Midreshet Lindenbaum, part of the Ohr Torah Stone network, decided to flip that around. Instead of mothers taking their daughters out of school, Midreshet Lindenbaum – located in a modern, elegant building in Jerusalem’s Talpiot neighborhood – invited them to a sixday program on campus, to fully participate in their daughters’ Israel experience.The six-day Midrasha for Moms, led by Talmud teacher Sally Mayer, began on January 9 with a talk by Ohr Torah Stone founder and chancellor Rabbi Shlomo Riskin.Riskin made the news recently when he granted two graduates of the Ohr Torah Stone Susi Bradfield Women’s Institute of Halakhic Leadership certification as morot hora’a (to rule on matters of Jewish law) and spiritual leaders.The visiting mothers attended classes in the beit midrash (study hall), went on field trips, and spent Shabbat in the community of Efrat while being hosted by former students and their families.“We want the girls to learn what it’s like to live in Israel as a Lindenbaum graduate,” explains Mayer.Eighty women from English-speaking countries, including the US, Canada, England, Australia and Hong Kong, are participating in this year’s overseas program.They study in English, although many also attend classes at Hadas – the Claudia Cohen Torah/Army School, an Ohr Torah Stone program for religious Israeli women planning to enlist.Two mothers from London, Lindsay Simmonds and Jo Hochhauser, spoke with In Jerusalem about their experiences at Midrasha for Moms. Later, their daughters commented by phone.Avigail Simmonds-Rosten, and Rachel Hochhauser, both 18, attended Jewish schools before switching to private high schools for girls. Dissatisfied with the level of Jewish studies in UK schools, their mothers were anxious for their daughters to experience high-level study in Israel.
“The girls’ and women’s education in England is poor on all levels,” says Jo Hochhauser, “with no serious women’s learning.”While attending class, both mothers and daughters envied the high level of Jewish education received by the American students.“Even though I learned a lot at home,” Avigail says, “I definitely feel at a disadvantage, especially regarding Hebrew textual skills. With the help of my teachers and the goals I set for myself, I am catching up.”But her mother notes that the English students excel in other areas. “The ones with a better Jewish education bring the knowledge,” explains Simmonds, “but others contribute analytical skills. They are not here to be instructed. They are here to be educated.”“No question goes unanswered,” Jo marvels, “even questions that lead the discussion away from the topic.”She noticed a similar attitude on a tour of the 1967 Jerusalem borders led by Jamie Salter, who teaches the “Understanding Israel” class. The class and associated trips aim to arm the girls with resources to combat anti-Israel attitudes they are likely to face on secular college campuses.“On our tour,” says Jo, “we saw how Jerusalem added 70 square kilometers to its territory, including many Arab villages.Salter was very careful to convey facts. For instance, he showed us how the Arab areas of the city have been divided, and spoke about what might happen to them if an agreement were drawn up to unite Jerusalem.“From [the Jerusalem neighborhood of] Gilo, you can see the Palestinian city of Bethlehem. It’s right on the edge. We read The Jerusalem Post every day. We speak to family and friends. But we don’t see things up close.”Rachel adds, “The teacher keeps it objective. Understanding the dialectic is a key to Israel advocacy. To defend Israel, you have to understand the other side’s point of view, to learn empathy.”Simmonds concurs regarding the balanced perspective. “I lived in Efrat [in Gush Etzion],” she says, “and I also read the Israeli papers. But the guide presented us with the religious and political issues regarding the land. We saw the juxtaposition of the Arabs and Jews. Seeing the realities of the Palestinians going through a checkpoint caused a visceral reaction. It’s not easy to be honest.“I noticed it in the classes as well,” continues Simmonds. “All questions are carefully considered. The teacher in the Talmud class was enthusiastic, accessible and able to teach students on a variety of levels. The teacher led a fantastic discussion about laws and taxes. Every class is stimulating.”Simmonds is especially pleased that Avigail is studying with the well-known scholar Dr. Tamar Ross, who has been associated with Midreshet Lindenbaum since its inception as Michlelet Bruria. “I missed studying with [famed Bible scholar] Nechama Leibowitz,” Simmonds recalls with regret.Women from overseas who study in Orthodox seminaries are often expected to fend for themselves on Shabbat. At Midreshet Lindenbaum, this isn’t a problem.“The overseas program spends about one in three Shabbatot together as a group, whether in Jerusalem or elsewhere in the country,” explains Mayer.“During the other weeks, the dorm is always open. Students are either invited out, order food or cook. Those who have invitations from family and friends bring their classmates along.”Simmonds concurs, saying that although Avigail has no relatives in the country, she has received many invitations. Hochhauser, whose brother and sister are both raising families here, added that Rachel regularly brings along at least two friends each time she visits family for Shabbat.During the Shabbat in Efrat, Rachel especially enjoyed the panel discussion by alumnae. “One thing that resonated with me,” says Rachel, “was the alumna who pointed out this was such a unique year. The entire focus is on you and what you’re interested in. It’s a time to learn just for yourself.”Rachel plans to study history in a London university next fall.But she is relishing her in-depth Jewish studies. “One of my favorite classes, “Women in Jewish law,” is taught by Sally [Mayer], an incredible woman. No one had shown me the sources on shomer negia and yihud (Jewish laws relating to relations between the sexes). I have much more respect for these laws, having studied the sources, than when I was just told to follow them.”Both mothers visit Israel frequently and manage to quell their anxiety about the security situation. And they would not object, should their daughters make aliya.“My brother and his family were visiting Nice during the July terrorist attack,” recalls Simmonds. “We’ve had terrorist attacks in London as well.”Rachel is thrilled with her decision to study at Midreshet Lindenbaum.“The caliber of the teachers is so high,” she says. “I’m privileged to be surrounded by people who can genuinely give me answers to things I was never satisfied with before.“Having my mother come was a unique opportunity for intergenerational learning. I’ve told my mother many times about the brilliant answers by the teachers and the way they quote [biblical] verses offhand, but it’s not the same as sharing the experience with her.”Avigail also appreciates the one-on-one time with her mother.“Coming from a family of five, that doesn’t always happen.”To learn more about Midreshet Lindenbaum and other Ohr Torah Stone programs, see ots.org.il and www.midreshet-lindenbaum.org.il or call (02) 671-0043.