Founder and Dean of Nishmat

Rabbanit Chana Henkin, founder and Dean of Nishmat, is one of today’s most acclaimed Jewish educators and a leader in re-drawing the landscape of Torah leadership and scholarship for women. She has headed Nishmat’s beit midrash for thirty years, where her legendary, infectious love of Torah inspires generation after generation of students. Together with her husband, noted halachic authority Rav Yehuda Henkin ztz”l, Rabbanit Henkin created the unique role of Yoatzot Halacha, experts in women’s health and Jewish law, to address women’s questions in taharat hamishpacha and women’s health. Rabbanit Henkin is a graduate of Yeshiva University’s Stern College and YU’s Bernard Revel Graduate School. She received Honorary Doctorates from both Bar Ilan University and Yeshiva University, and was awarded Israel’s prestigious Agrest Prize for innovative religious education. The Henkins made aliyah in 1972 and Rabbanit Henkin lives in Jerusalem, where her life is devoted to advancing Torah and serving Klal Yisrael.

Program directors

Originally from Teaneck, N.J. and currently a resident of Jerusalem, Sara (Schatz) Greenfield is an educator passionate about expanding high-level Torah learning opportunities for women. She currently teaches Talmud at Midreshet Torah v'Avoda, works as an administrator and program director for Drisha Summer, and is completing an M.A. in Holocaust Studies at University of Haifa. She has lectured in numerous communities across the U.S. and Canada and is particularly enthusiastic about teaching Torah in small Jewish communities. Sara is a proud alumnus of Stern College for Women, where she received her B.A. in Judaic Studies and Education, and of Yeshiva University's Graduate Program in Advanced Talmudic Studies, where she received her M.A. in Biblical and Talmudic Interpretation. Kobi Greenfield, originally from Chicago, moved to Israel during his gap year at Yeshivat HaKotel and later served in the Givati Brigade of the IDF. He holds a master’s degree in Jewish education from the Azrieli School of Jewish Education and Administration and has extensive experience in both formal and informal educational roles. Last year, Kobi went on Shlichut in Chicago, where he taught at ICJA and served as the director of Chicago NCSY. This year, he serves as the director of a new gap-year fellowship with World Mizrachi called Maslul, which empowers students to become religious Zionist leaders.