Margalit Silver is studying at The Jeanie Schottenstein Center for Advanced Torah Studies for Women (Nishmat) in the Pat neighborhood of Jerusalem. She is from Teaneck, New Jersey, attended the Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey for elementary school and Ma’ayanot for high school. Her family davens at Congregation Rinat Yisrael.

Her plans for next year? College in Israel, while remaining connected to the midrasha, with aliyah hopefully in the near future.

Why did you choose to learn at Nishmat?

I’ve had the unique experience of learning Tanach in Israel over the past two summers at Matan, and the Israeli approach to text and language pulled me toward learning in an Israeli institution. Within Torah She’ba’al Peh, I think that Ma’ayanot really taught me the skills and depth of learning Talmud, and it’s amazing to bring that with me to the learning this year. Nishmat has the resources to offer intense and challenging courses in Torah She’ba’al Peh, which definitely appealed to me while choosing a school. Also, while I love to study Tanach and Talmud, what really appealed to me at Nishmat is that there are true role models for women’s education and accomplishment here. The rabbaniyot and the yoatzot who are a part of the midrasha inspire me within my learning and how I can contribute to the Jewish people.

What kind of goals did you have for your year?

Some of my goals for the year are to work on my Hebrew, grow in my learning and soak everything in from the unbelievable faculty here.

What have been some of the biggest highlights of your year so far?

Right in the beginning of the year, my program went to the apartment of Rav and Rabbanit Henkin to hear their story and have a question-and-answer session. I remember that it was so inspiring to hear their story and how they became leaders of their community when they came to Israel. It was also unbelievable to hear how they started the multiple programs that make up Nishmat and how they saw gaps in the community that they wanted to fill. It was an amazing experience and such an inspiring example of leadership.

What kind of challenges have you faced coming to Israel?

It was difficult for me to leave home and start this year of true independence. It’s really scary to start living on your own, taking care of yourself and making your own decisions on a day-to-day basis, but since coming here I have definitely made a home. Within my apartment we became a family, cooking and eating dinner together at least once a week, and really looking out for each other. My program is a small group so we all take care of each other and help with any struggles. The first time I noticed that I referred to Nishmat as “home,” I realized that I have a warm community that feels like a family around me to help with everything.

Who are some of the teachers who you connect to the most at Nishmat?

I have so many amazing teachers here that it’s difficult to choose. I take two classes with Rabbanit Noa Lau and she’s an unbelievable educator. It’s been amazing forming a relationship in class, but I’ve also had the chance to go to her house for a Shabbat meal and form a more personal connection. I also have had the opportunity to learn with Ilana Hadad, an amazing Tanach teacher here who has also been helping me with planning for next year. Simi Peters is another fantastic Tanach teacher at Nishmat, and I always love to stay after class to have philosophical discussions about Tanach (for example: Hashem’s involvement and free will within Torah She’bichtav). Another amazing teacher I have is Rav Yedidya Lau for morning seder and it’s been great having discussions in class surrounding the Masechet that we’re learning and any other things happening around us; I also had the chance to go to his house for a Shabbat meal, which was a lot of fun. Rav Yehoshua Weisberg is the head of the Shana Ba’aretz program, but he is also my mentor for the year and I get to meet with him once a week to discuss how my year is going, and it’s so nice to have this personal connection. I also have formed a connection with Rav Sperling, who is the rosh beit midrash at Nishmat. I have a practical halacha class with him once a week, which is amazing, and it’s also great to be able to find him in the beit midrash at any time to ask any random halachic questions I have.

How has being here been different from your expectations? Did you feel prepared for your experience or did you have a culture shock, and how so?

I was initially nervous to come to Nishmat and was scared about the transition into Israeli culture, but it was much easier than I expected. The school was very helpful with the transition, and even the Israelis help us with our Hebrew and make us feel very comfortable. It’s a bit of a culture shock to be living with Israelis, but it keeps things interesting and fun.

Where is your favorite place to go for weekends/Shabbat so far?

I have the fun experience of having a lot of family in Israel, and I definitely enjoy spending Shabbat with them. Spending Shabbat with siblings and cousins is so much fun and really makes Shabbat feel very home-y.

What are you most looking forward to for the rest of the year?

I’m really looking forward to solidifying relationships, both with teachers and other students here. This experience and being exposed to many different types of people is incredible and I’m excited to continue building a community here at Nishmat.

Have a relative, friend or neighbor learning in Israel this year who’d like to be featured in JLNJ’s Israel Spotlight? Please contact JLNJ’s Israel desk for more information: [email protected].

By Tzvi Silver/JLNJ Israel