learning Midrasha for Bnot Hamenashe

About the Project: Background: The Bnei Menashe Nof Hagalil community consists of close to 60 families who, in recent years, have immigrated to Israel from India, motivated by Zionistic ideals. The community lives a religious Zionist lifestyle, though most community members lack familiarity with the Israeli mentality and have only very basic knowledge of Judaism and Jewish history. This is due to the fact that they lived in a third world country, in villages that had no water and electricity, or opportunities to study before making Aliyah. For the women of the community in particular, there are a variety reasons for this knowledge gap. There are differences in perspective and approach, as well as a cultural divide between the patriarchal society in which they lived in India, and the egalitarian society in which they now reside. As a result, there is a need for educational intervention for these women on topics such as: children's education, intelligent consumerism, orientation to the digital world, and more. In addition, there are religious issues with which women contend that need to be addressed. These topics include family purity, modesty, marital issues, kashrut, and more. The program: To meet these needs, a special empowering seminary for the women of the Bnei Menashe community will be opened. It will be headed by a well-read, knowledgeable Torah observant woman, who is an experienced counselor, and will be able to lead and guide the women of this community. This leader will deliver regular weekly classes and lectures, provide counseling, and invite guest speakers on appropriate topics. In addition, there will be a coordinator and translator from within the community who organizes groups and meeting places, moderates language and culture between lecturers and the women of the community, and ensures that they have ample opportunity to receive help, personal advice, and empowering support.