Dear Yoetzet

In this two-part episode, Yoetzet Halacha and kallah teacher Lisa Septimus reflects with her guests on what it takes to be an effective and thoughtful kallah teacher. In Part 2, Lisa is joined by Eli Sharvit, a graduate of Nishmat's Miriam Glaubach Center Kallah Teacher Course, to reflect on her experience training to become a kallah teacher and her journey to now teaching kallot herself.

In this episode Yoetzet Halacha Lisa Septimus brings on guest Aviva Bennett Tribuch who shares her personal struggle with postpartum depression as well as Dr. Esty Rollhaus to delve deeper into the medical and therapeutic management of perinatal and postpartum mood disorders.

In this episode, @dearyoetzet Yoetzet Halacha Lisa Septimus and Rabbi Yehuda Fogel explore shana rishona and the emotional adjustments of the first year of marriage. They discuss common challenges couples face when expectations around time together and emotional presence don't align, offering thoughtful insights and practical guidance for navigating these sensitive dynamics.

In this episode, @dearyoetzet Lisa Septimus speaks with MGC co-director and fellow Yoetzet Halacha, Karen Hochhauser, who brings years of experience mentoring young couples throughout the dating stage. Together, they explore how to support couples navigating the challenges of keeping the halachot of negiah, and the shame, confusion, guilt, or denial that can arise along the way. To reach Karen-- karen@afnishmat.org

In this episode, Yoetzet Halacha Lisa Septimus speaks with Malkie Gordon Hirsch Magence about her personal journey through the sudden loss of her first husband and her subsequent second marriage. Together, they explore the unique challenges and halachic questions surrounding second marriages and weddings, as well as the emotional realities for both the couple and their children. With honesty and sensitivity, Malkie reflects on grief, resilience, and the complexity of creating a new chapter while honoring the past. This conversation offers halachic insight, emotional wisdom, and a message of hope for anyone navigating life after loss. Please note that the halachot described in this episode apply when both husband and wife have been previously married.

In this episode, Yoetzet Halacha Lisa Septimus interviews renowned clinical and sex therapist Dr. Shy Krug. Together they address how couples can navigate rebuilding their relationship when they feel they have drifted apart and are leading parallel lives without much connection.

In this episode, Yoetzet Halacha Lisa Septimus and guest Dr. Aimee Baron discuss the challenges of pregnancy loss, including how that impacts going to the Mikveh. In their conversation, they emphasize that if you are experiencing this, you are not alone and they share some tips for approaching this challenge.

In this episode of Dear Yoetzet, Yoetzet Halacha Lisa Septimus interviews OBGYN Dr. Elana Kastner to discuss some of the common causes of bleeding during early pregnancy and what the halachic and medical implications are of different diagnoses.

Sometimes the halachot regarding beginning a sexual relationship might feel difficult emotionally. How do we work to enable the halachot to work in tandem with how a particular couple feels as they begin their sexual relationship? How do we handle situations where things feel at odds? In this episode, Yoetzet Halacha Lisa Septimus interviews therapist Talli Rosenbaum and together they address these questions.

In this episode Yoetzet Halacha Lisa Septimus interviews Yoetzet Halacha Yaffa Setton. Together they explore the possibilities of how to handle mikveh on Seder night from a halachic perspective and share some practical advice as well.

In traditional Kallah classes, it is often emphasized that bathing is a crucial part of preparing for the Mikveh. However, certain situations, such as the unavailability of a bath or external circumstances like the Covid pandemic and specific conditions in Israel, can make bathing at the Mikveh challenging or unsafe. These scenarios raise important questions about the essential nature of the pre-Mikveh bath. In this episode, Yoetzet Halacha Lisa Septimus, alongside Rebbetzin Abby Lerner, veteran kallah teacher and educator, delve into the halakhic aspects of this issue. They also discuss women's personal experiences and the most effective teaching practices surrounding this important aspect of Mikveh preparation.

As the war in Israel rages on, questions Yoatzot are receiving range from the relatively mundane and typical niddah questions to extremely weighty ones. But, even when answering the seemingly more mundane and typical questions, there is so much beneath the surface. Join Yoetzet Halacha Lisa Septimus as she interviews Yoetzet Halacha Michal Roness, who answers questions on Nishmat's Golda Koschitzky Halachic Hotline, about what women's questions during this time reflect about their experiences during war.

Join Yoetzet Halacha Lisa Septimus as she and guest Yoetzet Halacha Shayna Goldberg discuss navigating complicated parenting issues and conversations, particularly around intimate touch and relationships.