Close to 400 attendees joined together for an evening of “transitions” last week at Congregation Rinat Yisrael. The evening served as a tribute to outgoing Yoetzet Shoshana Samuels and an introduction of incoming Yoetzet Tova Warburg Sinensky.
Shoshana Samuels, who has served as the Teaneck yoetzet halacha for the past seven years and is now transitioning to her life’s dream of making aliyah with her family, has been quite busy during her reign. “Seven years, over 100 local presentations, 6,000 halachic consultations and the privilege of helping more than 1,300 women and couples. I’ve learned so much during this time,” she told the group.
In paying tribute to these impressive services, Tirza Bayewitz, chair of the Teaneck Yoetzet Halacha Initiative’s steering committee, presented Samuels with several gifts: A personalized water bottle paying tribute to Samuels’ “empowering” the women of the community to ask questions, a mezuzah and klaf to illustrate how she has “strengthened” community homes, and a Dena Levie original papercut paraphrasing a pasuk from Shir HaShirim declaring “Ein tov lanu ba’olam mi’mech,” (there is nobody better for us than you). Samuels accepted the gifts with her trademark charm and humor.
Samuels is a graduate of Nishmat in Israel. Transitioning into the role of Teaneck yoetzet is Tova Warburg Sinensky, a graduate of the inaugural class of Nishmat’s U.S. Miriam Glaubach Center Yoetzet Halacha Program, completed in 2013. Currently in the U.S. there are 19 yoatzot in 54 communities throughout the country and 10 in the pipeline at the Miriam Glaubach program.
Sinensky grew up in Englewood and attended local yeshiva day schools. She holds three degrees from Yeshiva University: a BA in philosophy from Stern College, an MA in secondary Jewish education from the Azrieli Graduate School, and an advanced degree from the Graduate Program in Advanced Talmudic Studies for Women (GPATS). Her experience in education included serving as the Gemara and Halacha chair at both Ma’ayanot High School in Teaneck and Kohelet High School in Philadelphia. Along with her new yoetzet position, she will be teaching at the Frisch School as well as formulating a curriculum focused on intimacy and healthy relationships for high school seniors.
Having already fielded thousands of questions in her role as a yoetzet while in Philadelphia, serving Atlanta and Riverdale as well, Warburg sees “sensitivity and warmth” as the key components in her work with women. When asked by moderator Rebbetzin Shira Schiowitz to share what she feels is her greatest contribution through her role as a yoetzet halacha, Warburg responded, “Being an address for questions of niddah. Halacha asks a great deal of women in this area. Therefore, it is vital that women know that they are not alone and that there is an understanding voice just a telephone call away.”
Warburg sees her transition from being a Torah and Gemara teacher to a yoetzet as a natural move. “I see it as a continuation of my teaching young women to serve God, now through helping them keep halacha.” Warburg introduced the audience to her new three-letter mantra, ASK. “A refers to All things women, S refers to Sharing and K represents Knowledge.” She invites the audience and the community to utilize this mantra and call the Yoetzet hotline at 201-655-2180.
In addition to Nishmat, the evening was co-sponsored by Emunah, Lamdeinu, Yesh Tikva, Project S.A.R.A.H, Sharsheret, AMIT and NechamaComfort. The Teaneck Yoetzet Halacha Initiative is funded by private donations and by four community shuls: Rinat Yisrael, Shaarei Tefilla, Netivot Shalom and, most recently, the Jewish Center of Teaneck.
By Pearl Markovitz
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