(Courtesy of OU) The OU Women’s Initiative, a division of the Orthodox Union, has launched a daily podcast called “Counting Toward Sinai,” offering shiurim about tefillah. The series will include lectures given by 49 renowned female scholars from the United States, United Kingdom and Israel who will present five-minute shiurim at the pace of one per day during the 49 days of Sefirat HaOmer leading up to the holiday of Shavuot.

The podcast includes shiurim about daily tefillot and those pertaining to Yom Tov, including Modeh Ani, Birkot HaShachar, Birkot HaTorah, Az Yashir, Yishtabach, Shema, Teshuva, Hallel, Musaf for the Shalosh Regalim, etc. Lectures are geared toward learners of all levels. To subscribe to the Counting Toward Sinai podcast and to access more content, visit www.ou.org/women/counting-toward-sinai-podcast/.

“Our hope is that these brief but meaningful presentations will help listeners to understand and strengthen their tefillah as we get closer to Shavuot,” said OU Women’s Initiative Founding Director Rebbetzin Dr. Adina Shmidman. “Our goal is to bring women together from all over the world and elevate the tefillah experience.”

Speakers include:

Rivka Alter (Bergenfield, NJ)

Zahava Bauer (Bala Cynwyd, PA)

Rebecca Belizon (Fair Lawn, NJ)

Aliza Davis (Passaic, NJ)

Ellie Levi (Passaic, NJ)

Norma Mintz (Passaic, NJ)

Leah Moskovich (New Rochelle, NY)

Peshi Neuburger (Teaneck, NJ)

Leah Silver (Teaneck, NJ)

Eliana Sohn Cohen (New Rochelle, NY)

Keshet Starr (Hillsdale, NJ)

Tzippy Staum (Teaneck, NJ)

“Our Women’s Initiative continues to create dynamic programming and learning opportunities for the Jewish community and we’re excited by the overwhelming positive response regarding the Counting Toward Sinai podcast,” said Orthodox Union President Moishe Bane.

“For many in our community, the COVID-19 pandemic has reminded us of the importance of tefillah and many are looking for continued inspiration behind these prayers we recite each day,” said Orthodox Union Executive Vice President Allen Fagin. “We hope that this podcast helps to infuse meaning into our daily tefillot.”