About

Matan Responsa Online

Shayla is an online Halakhic resource in English directed and run by graduates of Hilkhata – Matan Jerusalem’s five-year Advanced Halakhic Institute. Shayla answers a growing need of Jewish women, including students, for an accessible go-to address for them to ask Halakhic questions and seek guidance. Even though where possible it is preferable to address questions to your community Rabbi, we recognize that in today’s mobile and digitized world that isn’t always an option. That’s why we created Shayla for you.

Our Halakhic Responders share an extensive background of learning, prior to their studying in Hilkhata. They are all Torah educators and are actively involved in their communities. Shayla has the full backing of HaRav HaDayan Ariel Holland, Rav of Hilkhata and a committee of Halakhic experts. All answers will be reviewed by HaRav Holland and/or the committee.

Rabbanit Batya Krauss

is a graduate of Hilkhata, Matan's Advanced Halakhic Institute and is a certified Meshivat Halakha. In addition she is a Yoetzet Halakha, and a graduate of Matan’s Advanced Talmud Institute. Rabbanit Krauss teaches Halakha in the Morot L’Halakha program at Matan HaSharon and gives shiurim to the general public, which focus on the interface between Halakha and society, family and welfare. She is a senior social worker specializing in old age, disability and community.

Teshuvot from Rabbanit Batya Krauss

Rabbanit Debbie Zimmerman

Debbie Zimmerman graduated from the first cohort of Hilkhata – Matan’s Advanced Halakhic Institute and is a Halakhic Responder. She is a multi-disciplinary Jewish educator, with over a decade of experience in adolescent and adult education. After completing a BA in Social Work, Debbie studied Tanakh in the Master’s Program for Bible in Matan and Talmud in Beit Morasha.

Teshuvot from Rabbanit Debbie Zimmerman

Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash

is a graduate of Hilkhata, Matan's Advanced Halakhic Institute and is a certified Meshivat Halakha. In addition she is a Yoetzet Halakha, and a graduate of Matan’s Advanced Talmud Institute. She has an M.A. in Talmud from Bar-Ilan University. She is a graduate of Nishmat’s Yoetzet Halakha program as well as qualifying as a sex educator through Yahel and the Eden Center. She teaches contemporary Halakha and Talmud at Matan and Pardes, as well as teaching in Torah V'Avodah (TVA), a Bnei Akiva gap year program based in Matan. She is an active member of Beit Hillel and participates in interfaith dialogue through Roots, based in Gush Etzion.

Teshuvot from Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash

Rabbanit Rachel Weinstein

is a graduate of Hilkhata, Matan's Advanced Halakhic Institute and is a certified Meshivat Halakha. She studied in Migdal Oz, and Nishmat. Rachel teaches in her community and is a Yoetzet Halakha. She gives classes for women, teaches Kallot and runs the Matan Beit Shemesh Kallah teachers certification course. She lives in Tekoa and is the mother of 8 children.

Teshuvot from Rabbanit Rachel Weinstein

Rabbanit Rachelle Sprecher Fraenkel

is a graduate of Hilkhata, Matan's Advanced Halakhic Institute and a certified Meshivat Halakha. She is also the Director of Hilkhata Rachelle was in the first graduating class of Matan's Advanced Talmud Institute. She is a Yoetzet Halakha and teaches Talmud and Halakha at Matan and other institutions.

Teshuvot from Rabbanit Rachelle Sprecher Fraenkel

Rabbanit Surale Rosen

is a graduate of Hilkhata, Matan's Advanced Halakhic Institute and is a certified Meshivat Halakha. She is the Director of Shayla. In addition she is a certified To'enet Rabbanit and a graduate of Matan’s Advanced Talmud Institute. Surale has taught Midrash, Talmud and Halakha and Daf Yomi in a wide array of shuls and communities, including the Matan Beit Midrash. Surale is a graduate of Bar Ilan University and holds degrees in English Literature and Talmud. This past year she wrote the weekly Parashat HaShavua column for Chumash Shemot in the leading religious Israeli newspaper Makor Rishon and periodically writes Divrei Torah for weekly Torah publications.

Teshuvot from Rabbanit Surale Rosen