Demystifying Sex & Teaching Halakha:
A Kallah Teacher's Workshop
Kallah Teacher Workshop 2011
From March 13, 2011 to March 16, 2011 JOFA, in conjunction with Yeshivat Maharat and Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School, will once again host a Kallah teacher’s workshop. Demystifying Sex and Teaching Halakha: A Kallah Teacher’s Workshop is a 4-day intensive workshop unique in its emphasis on a broad range of halakhic positions and open and frank discussions on sex.
Kallah teachers are often on the front lines of preparing a kallah for her married life, and in some cases for her first sexual encounter. Thus, kallah teachers can have a significant and lasting impact on the couple's sexual experience. Demystifying Sex and Teaching Halakha: A Kallah Teacher’s Workshop provides kallah teachers with a broad range of halkhic perspectives and affords them a greater comfort level in dealing with sexual issues. Participants partake in a four day intensive program during which they spend time looking at primary halakhic sources and also explore some of their preconceived biases and come to understand the wide range of the human sexual response cycle.
Following the success of the initial kallah teachers program run in 2008 we will now be recruiting an additional 15 women from across the country to participate in the upcoming workshops in 2011. Participants’ airfare, home hospitality, food and tuition costs will be fully covered by the sponsoring institutions. The program will take place at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale. The faculty includes Devorah Zlochower, Rabbi Dov Linzer, and Rabba Sara Hurwitz on halakha; Dr. Bat Sheva Marcus on Sexuality; and Dr. Valerie Perla on Reproduction and Birth Control.
The program is accepting applications from women who already have a limudei kodesh background and/or have taught Kallah classes previously. A social work or counseling background or equivalent communal experience is a plus.
To apply please click here to download an application.
All applications are due by Sunday, January 2, 2011.
For additional information please email pessy.4@gmail.com.
2008 Kallah Teacher Workshop Testimonials:
Facilitators' Testimonials
"We - the coordinators and presenters - were both amazed and humbled by the participants. They ranged in age from 25 - 52 and came from vastly different educational and religious backgrounds and communities. The respect that these women gave each other and the way in which they shared their experiences and turned to each other for information, resources and feedback was incredible."
Participant Testimonials
"We learn to keep kosher and to observe Shabbat by observing our families at home and others in the community. Our sense of sexuality also begins at home."
"Together [with another participant] we will implement a series of kallah classes that will shatter the misconception that it is inappropriate to discuss sexual and emotional issues. Judaism is about laws and rituals, but feelings and attitudes must always be addressed within our halakhic system."
"I learned that it is important to provide an integrated approach to education that takes into account a couple's entire life experience together. Teaching about niddah is only a piece of the puzzle. Learning how to navigate time apart from each other is just as important as focusing on the other half of the month."
