Rabbanit Bracha Jaffe

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.