Rabbanit Bracha Jaffe
Core Semikha, Class of 2017

Rabbanit Bracha Jaffe serves as the Associate Rabba at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale in Bronx, NY. Among her many tasks are facilitating tefillot, teaching Torah in a variety of settings, accompanying converts along their path, answering Halakhic questions, offering a pastoral presence at times of crisis and mourning, crafting and orchestrating lifecycle events, and connecting with families and singles, young and old. Some of her favorite activities are leading Niggun Circle, teaching Foundations of Judaism, and bringing our Jewish texts to life! She is a dynamic and thoughtful educator who loves teaching in Hebrew or English and inspiring others to learn.
Previously, Rabbanit Bracha was Community Educator and Director of Mercaz Center for Adult Education in Beth Tfiloh synagogue in Baltimore, MD, where she spearheaded a variety of new educational opportunities for Beth Tfiloh men and women. She also participated in chaplaincy programs at New York Presbyterian Hospital and at a maximum security women's prison.
Her love of tefillah and ritual led her to be an experienced gaba’it and organizer of women’s tefillah groups and partnership Minyanim. She has taught many women and girls to leyn and is the voice of the JOFA Megillat Esther and Megillat Rut Apps.
Rabbanit Bracha is a 2017 graduate of Yeshivat Maharat, following a long career as a real-time software engineer, protocol expert, and project manager.
Rabbanit Bracha lived in Israel for over 35 years, beginning in high school, and considers herself to be half-American and half-Israeli. Her four children and seven grandchildren were all born, and live, in Israel. Some of her favorite pastimes are kickboxing and reading English books to her grandchildren. She lives in Riverdale, NY with her husband Martin.
Rabbanit Bracha feels blessed to be following this path which nourishes and fills her soul.
publications and media
Title | Type | Category | Topic | Year |
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#maharat10daysoftorah Purim 2022, Day 4 | Dvar Torah; Multimedia | Holidays; Video Divrei Torah | Purim; #maharat10daysoftorah | 2022/5782 |
A Psalm for the Season | Dvar Torah | Rosh Hashana; Yom Kippur | 2018/5779 | |
Power Hour of Torah: The Purim Edition | Multimedia; Dvar Torah | Video Divrei Torah; Panels and Discussions; Holiday | Purim | February 24, 2021 |
Bringing Moshe To Our Seder | Dvar Torah | Vayikra; Holiday | Tzav; Pesach | 2021/5781 |
The Clergy Who Coaches: Rabbanit Bracha Jaffe | Multimedia | Podcasts | MaharatCast | March 21, 2021 |
On Raising Children | Dvar Torah | Bereishit | Vayechi | 2017/5777 |
Tetzaveh and The Double Darkness of Depression | Dvar Torah | Shemot | Tetzaveh | 2016/5776 |
Community is Inclusivity | Dvar Torah | Vayikra | Tazria | 2015/5775 |
Making a Real Difference in 2020 | Dvar Torah | Bamidbar | Naso | 2020/5780 |
Nurturing Proactive Women | Dvar Torah | Bamidbar | Mase'i | 2014/5774 |
A Symphony of Sight | Dvar Torah | Devarim | Re'eh | 2018/5778 |
The Longest Day | Dvar Torah | Devarim | Nitzavim; Vayelech | 2020/5780 |
Kallah Torah Address | Dvar Torah | Holiday | Sukkot / Simkhat Torah | 2015/5776 |
Giving Thanks | Dvar Torah | Holiday | Chanukah | 2014/5775 |
Shehechiyanu on Matza and Maror? | Dvar Torah | Holiday | Pesach | 2018/5778 |
Finding Meaning in Empty Spaces | Dvar Torah | Holiday | Shavuot | 2016/5776 |
One Day or Two Days? (part I) | Dvar Torah | Holiday | Shavuot | 2014/5774 |
Chaplaincy Reflections | Dvar Torah | July 2015/Tamus 5775 | ||
Rabbanit Bracha Jaffe - Yeshivat Maharat Fifth Semikha Ceremony June 18, 2017 | Multimedia | Graduations | Fifth Semikha Ceremony | June 18, 2017 |
Eichah Perek 1 | Recording | Holiday | Tisha B'Av | 2020/5780 |
Eichah Perek 5 | Recording | Holiday | Tisha B'Av | 2020/5780 |
Eichah Perek 4 | Recording | Holiday | Tisha B'Av | 2020/5780 |
B'Shalach | Dvar Torah | Shemot | B'Shalach | 2016/5776 |
mentions
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