Stories of Impact
Yeshivat Maharat Educates and Empowers Orthodox Women Leaders
Meet our grantee partners who are turning vision into action: advancing justice, inclusion, and accountability across the Jewish communal landscape.
Yeshivat Maharat educates, ordains, and invests in passionate and committed Orthodox women who model a dynamic Judaism to inspire and support individuals and communities.
August 7, 2025: With support from a SRE Network grant, Yeshivat Maharat established Revava: Alumnae and Torah Leader Network, a vibrant network designed to support, elevate, and connect Maharat’s alumnae and other similarly experienced female Orthodox leaders. Revava offers structured membership, ethical guidelines, career development, advanced Torah learning, networking, and advocacy for salary transparency.
As of June 2025, Maharat had over 100 graduates, following the ordination of 25 new rabbis this year at Maharat’s 13th Annual Semikha Ceremony. A newly expanded Alumnae Board helped shape the network’s structure, and partnerships with thought leaders – including Dr. Guila Benchimol (SRE Network), Dr. Sara Shapiro-Plevan (Gender Equity in Hiring Project), Rabbi Mary Zamore (Women’s Rabbinic Network), and others – led to improved communications, strengthened board engagement, and the launch of a compensation study aimed at advancing pay equity in Orthodox spaces.
Key Highlights of the Grant:
- Launch of a Revava Network: Maharat officially launched the Revava Network, formed an Alumnae Board, created ethical guidelines, and developed a formal application process and membership structure.
- Professional Development and Learning Offerings: Offered career resources and workshops on resume building, fundraising, and interviewing. Additionally, a high-level learning series was created for alumnae and women Torah leaders.
- Compensation Study: Designed and launched a compensation study, aiming to provide salary benchmarks and support fair negotiations in the Orthodox rabbinic field for women
- Community Engagement: Alumnae and network leaders engaged through town halls and regular email updates, and a network conference is planned for 2026.
Looking ahead, Maharat plans to deepen network engagement, offer additional programming, and host a Revava network conference in 2026. These efforts are laying the groundwork for a strong, sustainable professional network that supports Orthodox women leaders with the tools, community, and recognition they deserve.
SRE Network mobilizes Jewish organizations to achieve gender equity and cultivate inclusive workplaces and communal spaces where all individuals can thrive and drive change. As a network of over 185 Jewish organizations, we are working towards a communal landscape that is safe, respectful, and equitable, where every individual thrives and organizations can achieve their missions.
Photos courtesy of Maharat staff.