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Rabbanit Bracha Jaffe

Core Semikha, Class of 2017

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.

publications and media

Title
Type
Category
Topic
Year
#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

Title
Publication
Published

books

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