By Penina Lis
Over the last few months on The Nachshon Project, Cohort 5 has heard from many different speakers. Some have focused on Jewish politics, sever have spoken about Jewish identity, and others have taught about the importance of Jewish leadership. Shana Goldberg, an alumnus of Nishmat’s Yoetztet Halacha program and teacher at Migdal Oz educated us on all three topics when she explained her role as a yoetzet halacha and the different spheres of Jewish life her role as a female guide to marital life and relationships impacts.
Working as a halachic advisor, Shana counsels women with varying questions, concerns, and perspectives. As a pioneer in the world of women’s involvement in topics of nida, Shana shared multiple anecdotes from her phone calls and conversations with women from the community. Confiding in Shana, women expressed their anxiety over fulfilling the foundational laws of marital relationships. When unsure whether they were halachically allowed to go to the mikvah or not, a high percentage of Shana’s clients delayed their immersion rather than confide in their male rabbis. In addition to being a haven for women to come to with intimate requests and inquirers, Shana also serves as a role model in her community for what it means to be a confident, body-positive, and empathic listener, friend, supporter of other women.
Discussing her own experiences with the laws of nida and marriage in traditional Jewish law, Shana explained that she felt blessed to be an insider in the “complex systems of laws” and empowered that she “actually knew what to do.”
I was inspired to hear Shana talk about her love for the traditions and laws of Judaism juxtaposed with her love and respect for the women who she shares laughs, tears, and lessons with. Instead of sitting in her seat of knowledge next to only women who have had similar education to her, Shana sought to empower others with the tools that strengthened her own convictions. I hope that in my own life and role in the community I can act with similar empathy, heart, and compassion to my fellow neighbors as Shana displays.
