This week, we said goodbye to Dr. Felix Glaubach, z”l. In 2006, Dr. Glaubach gifted his wife and partner-in-everything, Miriam, with a remarkable Mother’s Day gift; he founded Nishmat’s Miriam Glaubach Center, to bring yoatzot halacha to the shores of the United States. He intuited the need for learned women to support women’s observance of taharat hamishpacha (family purity) and sensitive questions regarding women’s health and Halacha. It has been the privilege of a lifetime to be Dr. Felix Glaubach’s shaliach (messenger) in making this vision a reality. From my very first encounter with Dr. Felix, I was enchanted by his prescience, wisdom and wit, and grateful for his understanding of the critical need for yoatzot halacha in communities all over the United States. I never imagined I’d have the great fortune of working closely with him for 19 years.
The highlight of each meeting with the Glaubachs was witnessing the way Miriam and Felix looked at each other with a glint of mischief mixed with romantic, respectful and loving devotion. The bedrock of their incredible relationship was their mantra, “We do things together.” I daven to Hashem that the joy and respect that characterized this loving marriage will spill over into the homes of every couple who benefits from the guidance of a yoetzet halacha—guidance they would not have received without Dr. Felix’s foresight and sustained involvement.
Dr. Glaubach’s impact on my personal life and professional endeavors is immeasurable; for 19 years I have been driven by Dr. Felix’s acumen, sharp questions and confidence. More than anything, I have admired his endless love of every individual—his devotion to ensuring that every Jewish woman receives empathic care and support as she strives to abide by Jewish law. I thank Hashem that his and Miriam’s love of people has enabled yoatzot to help couples bring babies into the world in full compliance with Halacha, and that it has brought shalom bayit (peace in the home) to tens of thousands of families touched by Nishmat’s Miriam Glaubach Center’s yoatzot halacha.
From 2003-2011, The Miriam Glaubach Center brought yoatzot halacha from Israel to serve as scholars in residence in communities all over the United States and Canada, building demand for yoatzot to move into communities, but the demand exceeded the supply. I thank Hashem that in 2011 I was tasked with opening and directing the U.S. Yoatzot Halacha Fellows Program, to home-grow yoatzot halacha tailored to the needs of local communities. With Miriam and Felix’s encouragement, we began to help communities learn how to employ yoatzot, to identify communities ready for a yoetzet, and expand our network of yoatzot halacha working in communities all over the U.S., Canada and London to include over 50 institutions in over 25 communities.
Soon after, Nishmat’s Miriam Glaubach Center’s reach expanded to include: kallah teacher certification courses; a viral Instagram account reaching tens of thousands of women; CME courses for medical and mental health providers; yoetzet specialization in breast health in partnership with Sharsheret; virtual conferences; yoetzet specialization as fertility counselors in partnership with Keren Gefen; curriculum building for high schools; and partnerships with the OU, RCA and Mizrachi Canada, just to name a few.
Some organizations prefer quiet supporters. Those who simply open the checkbook and walk away, expecting maybe a once a year update. I deeply appreciate Dr. Felix’s philanthropic model. He was always open to meeting. He would start every meeting with, “What’s new? What new idea are you working on now? How are you expanding your reach?” He always wanted to understand our strategy, take a look under the hood at our finances, make sure we’re fiscally responsible and hold us accountable. This was Dr. Felix’s way of expressing just how much he cares. He offered guidance and financial advice. He opened doors for us, introduced us to new people. He expressed disappointment when he felt we could be doing better and gave us strategies to fix what needed fixing. Nothing made him happier than when I shared with him the news of a new partnership, further buoying support for yoatzot halacha. And nothing made me happier than seeing the joy on his face when he saw that his pioneering steps gained traction, garnered partners and changed the Jewish community for the better, and for good. I thank Hashem for every encounter: every meeting in Kings Point, in Bal Harbour, in Jerusalem, every email, phone call and Zoom.
May Hashem comfort Shevet Glaubach at the loss of their nasi. I pray that the family takes comfort in knowing how many lives were elevated by the great visionary, Dr. Felix Glaubach. His impact on the Jewish people will reverberate for generations to come.
Rabbanit Atara Eis is a Nishmat yoetzet halacha. She served as director of Nishmat’s Miriam Glaubach Center from 2011-2024, and currently serves as dean of Nishmat, the Jeanie Schottenstein Center for Advanced Torah Study for Women in Jerusalem.
