Twenty-seven new mental health scholarships
The Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance has awarded 27 scholarships to Jewish women in four Australian states to complete mental health training via Maaglei Nefesh, an Israeli-based mental health organisation run by Rabbi Yoni Rosensweig.
This is the first time this training course has been offered to Australian women who will learn about the intersection between mental health and Halacha.
“We are ecstatic that women from Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Tasmania have been awarded scholarships to complete this training,” said JOFA Australia president Nomi Kaltmann. “There were so many women were interested in this course that we extended our original cap on scholarships to accommodate the incredible number of applicants and were forced to close applications early,” she said.
Women from across Australia will complete a 12-week training course that is the first in the world to combine professional, halachic, pastoral, and spiritual training in the field of mental health. Earlier this year Rabbi Yoni Rosensweig toured Melbourne and provided the community with insight into his wisdom and sensitive approach.
“We know that post-covid mental health is especially in crisis and we are glad that women will now have training to respond appropriately,” said JOFA Australia president Nomi Kaltmann. The women span in age from early 20s to 70s and encompass a wide variety of women from a range of backgrounds including Rebbetzins, mental healthcare professionals such as social workers, Jewish community and school educators and lawyers.
“This course has never ever previously been offered in Australia and we are thrilled that women from across the country will have the opportunity to receive a scholarship to complete their training,” said Kaltmann. “In fact, this cohort is the 4th set of scholarships that JOFA Australia has been able to grant in 12 months, allowing 92 women from across Australia in 5 Australian states and territories to complete training in a range of fields including training, as Kallah teachers, up-skilling Mikveh attendants, learn how to craft opinion editorial writing pieces and now mental health education,” she said.
“The response to JOFA Australia’s opportunities has been amazing and a resounding success from across the country and we are so grateful to our generous donors for continuing to believe in our mission and support the Torah learning of Australian Jewish women” said Kaltmann.
