Women's Talmud Torah - The History (Part 1)

This is the third episode in our new podcast series exploring a woman's relationship with Talmud Torah. In this episode, we interview Dr. Leslie Ginsparg Klein, the academic dean of Women’s Institute of Torah Seminary & College. She is a scholar, author and lecturer whose research focuses on the history of Bais Yaakov. We discuss the evolution of the Bais Yaakov movement in Eastern Europe and the impact it has on girls’ education today.

We discuss these questions and more:

What theological beliefs and cultural attitudes towards women's learning existed leading up to Sara Schenirer's revolution? What kind of resistance did Sara Schenirer face in starting her movement? How did she finally gain support? Were there other parallel movements happening in other places at the same time? What made Bais Yaakov unique? How might the interruption of World War 2 have influenced the development of the movement? How has (or hasn't) the culture and values of the original Bais Yaakov influenced modern Bais Yaakov schools? What are the biggest misconceptions people have about the history of Bais Yaakov? What do you think is most inspiring about Sara Schenirer's story?

Visit our website to sign up to be the first to receive our updated source booklet which will include all the sources referenced in this episode (and more!): www.batshevalearningcenter.com

Thank you to Esther Babayov for sponsoring this episode, in honor of her family.