NEW YORK – The Orthodox Union (OU) is taking a significant step to make the observance of Simchat Torah more meaningful for women in North America. The OU Women’s Initiative is partnering with more than 40 synagogues in 16 U.S. states and one Canadian province to provide shiurim for women on Simchat Torah morning during aliyot.
“The opportunity to celebrate the Torah through study is a fulfillment of the essence of Simchat Torah,” said Founding Director of the OU Women’s Initiative Rebbetzin Dr. Adina Shmidman. “Connecting synagogues with local scholars creates a Simchat Torah morning learning opportunity so that all feel involved and engaged.”
Programs this year will take place at:
- Beth Joseph Congregation (Phoenix, AZ)
- Young Israel of Century City (Los Angeles, CA)
- LINK Kollel (Los Angeles, CA)
- Shul on the Beach (Venice, CA)
- East Denver Orthodox Synagogue (Denver, CO)
- Young Israel of West Hartford (West Hartford, CT)
- Congregation Torah Ohr (Boca Raton, FL)
- Young Israel of Hollywood – Fort Lauderdale (Hollywood, FL)
- Beth Israel Abraham and Voliner (Overland Park, KS)
- Congregation Beth El Atereth Israel (Newton, MA)
- Young Israel Shomrai Emunah (Silver Spring, MD)
- Congregation Adath Israel of the JEC (Elizabeth/Hillside, NJ)
- Congregation Shomrei Torah (Fair Lawn, NJ)
- Anshe Chesed (Linden, NJ)
- Sephardic Congregation of Fort Lee (Fort Lee, NJ)
- Congregation Shaare Tefillah (Teaneck, NJ)
- Congregation Beth Aaron (Teaneck, NJ)
- Young Israel Aish (Las Vegas, NV)
- Riverdale Jewish Center (Bronx, NY)
- Congregation Ohab Zedek (New York, NY)
- Congregation Etz Chaim of Kew Gardens Hills (Flushing, NY)
- Young Israel of Avenue J (Brooklyn, NY)
- Congregation Beth Sholom (Lawrence, NY)
- Young Israel of Holliswood (Holliswood, NY)
- Young Israel of Great Neck (Great Neck, NY)
- Young Israel of New Rochelle (New Rochelle, NY)
- Congregation Shaaray Tefila (Lawrence, NY)
- Mount Sinai Jewish Center (New York, NY)
- Young Israel of Oceanside (Oceanside, NY)
- Young Israel of North Woodmere (North Woodmere, NY)
- Green Road Synagogue (Beachwood, OH)
- Golf Manor Synagogue (Cincinnati, OH)
- Beth Jacob Congregation (Columbus, OH)
- Congregation Shaarei Torah (Cincinnati, OH)
- Congregation Kesser Israel (Portland, OR)
- Lower Merion Synagogue (Bala Cynwyd, PA)
- Congregation Beit Tikvah (Dollard des Ormeaux, Quebec)
- Brith Sholom Beth Israel (Charleston, SC)
- The Meyerland Minyan Synagogue (Houston, TX)
- Congregation Beth Rambam (Houston, TX)
- Keneseth Beth Israel (Richmond, VA)
- Congregation Beth Jehudah (Milwaukee, WI)
- ASKT (Milwaukee, WI)
“The program was piloted last year and received very positive feedback. This year our member synagogues were very interested in an expansion of this program as it addresses an important communal need in a very effective manner,” said Orthodox Union President Moishe Bane.
“The OU takes tremendous pride in providing programming for each and every member of our community,” said Orthodox Union Executive Vice President Allen Fagin. “Enhancing the joy and meaningful opportunity for Torah learning, that women in these 40 communities will derive from their celebration of Simchat Torah is a perfect example.”