<HTML>In response to Joel Wolowelsky's statement that advanced Talmud and
Halacha studies for women on the smicha level exists only at the Drisha
institute in NY. I am sure that Joel Wolowolsky and the learning
community at large will be pleased to know that there are a number of
serious learning programs for women in Jerusalem focusing primarily on
Talmud and Halacha. Among them: Nishmat has an advanced Hilchot Niddah
Program, MaTaN has advanced Talmud learning. At Midreshet Lindenbaum
there is a vibrant Beit Midrash of 200 women, among them 20 post graduate
scholars who receive generous stipends allowing them to focus their energy
on advanced study of Talmud and Halacha comparable to the smicha level.
Rabbi Herzl Hefter
Dean, Bruriah Scholars Program at Midreshet Lindenbaum</HTML>
