When my husband and I got engaged, I began looking for a kallah teacher. There were certainly options much closer to home, but I knew one thing: I wanted to learn with a Yoetzet Halacha. I felt that having someone with extensive halachic knowledge and a deep understanding of the nuances of Taharat HaMishpacha would give me the strongest foundation as I began married life.
So, every week, my husband drove me 45 minutes to my kallah teacher’s home for our lessons. We still joke about those evenings. He would wait for me for hours, sometimes managing to daven Maariv, stop at the kosher grocery store for a snack, and listen to the Mets on the radio before I was finally finished! Looking back, those drives were well worth it.
I came away from those classes with much more than an understanding of the basic halachot of Taharat HaMishpacha. I learned how to recognize when something might present a halachic question, when I needed to ask, and what information was important to share. Perhaps most importantly, I understood that I didn’t have to figure everything out on my own. I had someone I could turn to.
That relationship continued long after my kallah classes ended. Whenever a question came up, I felt comfortable reaching out to my Yoetzet. She always listened with patience and empathy, never making me feel that a question was insignificant or that I should have known the answer already. She knew which details to ask about and how to communicate the relevant information to the Rav she consulted.
A few years later, I had the privilege of experiencing this work from another perspective. As a rebbetzin, I participated in a Kallah Teacher Training Course in conjunction with Nishmat, the OU, and the RCA. The course was led by a Yoetzet Halacha and brought together kallah teachers from across the United States for an in-depth program covering the halachic foundations of Taharat HaMishpacha, the hashkafah of marriage, and women’s health.
It gave me an even greater appreciation for the depth of knowledge required to teach these subjects responsibly. Yoatzot Halacha undergo extensive training in the laws of Taharat HaMishpacha. They understand the distinctions between d’oraita, d’rabbanan, and minhag, and the many nuances that can make a seemingly straightforward question much more complicated. They have the ability to take an intricate area of halacha and explain it clearly, thoughtfully, and sensitively.
And that knowledge is needed at every stage of a woman’s life.
We sometimes think about Taharat HaMishpacha primarily in the context of a young bride learning the laws before marriage. But the reality is that these halachot accompany women throughout their lives. There are questions surrounding pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum recovery, breastfeeding, miscarriage, fertility challenges, menopause, and the many physical changes that come with different stages of life. There are also the emotional, psychological, and relationship challenges that can accompany these experiences.
These are not always easy subjects to discuss. In fact, they can be among the most personal and intimate questions a woman will ever need to ask.
This is where the role of a Yoetzet Halacha is so significant. A woman can speak with someone who understands not only the halachic framework but also the medical, emotional, and personal context of her question. She can share details that might otherwise feel uncomfortable or embarrassing to discuss, knowing that she will be met with understanding and compassion.
Importantly, the Yoetzet does not replace the Rav. Rather, she serves as an essential partner in the halachic process. She knows which questions to ask, understands the relevant medical and halachic considerations, and works with a Rav to ensure that the woman receives appropriate halachic guidance. This partnership allows women to communicate openly and honestly while maintaining the integrity and authority of halachic decision-making.
I believe this has fundamentally changed the landscape of Taharat HaMishpacha. Historically, women sometimes felt too embarrassed to bring intimate questions to a Rav. Some simply didn’t ask, while others made decisions on their own without realizing that there might be room for a halachic discussion or solution. Having a knowledgeable, approachable woman to turn to has opened the door to conversations that might never have happened otherwise.
The impact goes beyond answering individual questions. It gives women the confidence to observe halacha with greater understanding and comfort. It helps women feel that their physical experiences and personal circumstances are understood and taken seriously within the halachic process. And it creates a culture in which asking a question is not something to be embarrassed about but an important part of living a halachic life.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of Nishmat’s Miriam Glaubach Center in North America. Founded in 2006, the Center has played an extraordinary role in bringing the expertise and compassion of Nishmat’s Yoatzot Halacha to Jewish communities throughout the United States and beyond.
Through its programs, the Center has trained and supported Yoatzot Halacha, expanded access to halachic guidance, developed kallah teacher certification and continuing education programs, and brought resources and educational opportunities to communities across North America. Today, its Yoatzot serve in more than 50 institutions across 25 communities and assist tens of thousands of women annually around the world.
When I think back to those weekly drives with my husband, I recognize how fortunate I was to have access to this kind of learning and guidance. What I received was not simply a series of classes. It was a foundation for a lifetime and a relationship that continues to make a difference.
As we celebrate this important 20-year milestone, I hope we can recognize not only how far we have come but also how much more there is to do. The continued growth and success of the Miriam Glaubach Center depends on the support of people who understand the importance of this work and want to ensure that it remains accessible to future generations.
Please consider making a meaningful contribution in honor of this 20th anniversary. Your support helps train and mentor Yoatzot Halacha, educate kallah teachers, expand community resources, and ensure that women throughout the Jewish community have access to the halachic guidance they need.
I am personally grateful for the difference a Yoetzet Halacha has made in my life. I hope that, together, we can make that same difference in the lives of countless other women and families.
On December 1, 2026, 20 years after Dr. Felix Glaubach z”l named the Miriam Glaubach Center for his beloved wife, Miriam, American Friends of Nishmat will honor this iconic couple along with their Shevet Glaubach. If you’d like to pay tribute or attend this gala, please visit www.afnishmat.org/gala.
By Chani Kovacs Zweiter