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BATSHEVA LEARNING CENTER INC

Albany, NY · EIN 812681977 · Form 990 · FY2024 · Small ($100K-$1M) · batshevalearningcenter.com
revenue
$264K
expenses
$270K
net assets
$35K
employees
4
volunteers
15
program ratio
90%
mission · from form 990

Educate Jewish women through the study of the Torah

profile · synthesized from sources

BATSHEVA LEARNING CENTER INC is an Orthodox Jewish educational institution in Brooklyn, NY, dedicated to advancing women's Torah study through structured, text-based learning programs. It offers in-person and online Beis Midrash programs focused on Chassidus and Halacha for women with prior yeshiva education. The center emphasizes independent learning, community building, and deep engagement with classical Jewish texts.

named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

Brooklyn Beis Midrash
Full-time in-person program in Crown Heights, Brooklyn offering daily study in Chassidus and Halacha through chavrusa learning and instructor-led shiurim, with courses in Hemshech Tarsav and Basar B'Chalav
Farbrengens
Monthly gatherings integrating intellectual learning with emotional and spiritual connection through Chassidic discourse
Online Beis Midrash
Virtual program offering structured daily study in Chassidus and Halacha with chavrusa learning, instructor guidance, and courses in Hemshech Ranat and Hilchot Birkat HaShachar u'Tefilah
Open Beis Midrash
Weekly Thursday night open chavrusa learning for working women focused on text-based study of the weekly Torah portion
Shabbos Meals
Monthly Shabbos meals fostering community bonding among Beis Midrash staff and students
activities · 3 groups

What they do

  • Structured Jewish Text Study Programs 5 activities
    • Beginner-Level Torah Courses
      Launches accessible Torah study initiatives such as "Mishna for Moms," designed to help mothers engage with their sons' learning and begin their own text-based study journey.
    • Beis Midrash Program for Women
      Operates a daily Beis Midrash program in Brooklyn, NY, providing young women with structured in-depth study of halacha, gemara, and chassidus, including 1.5 hours of Chassidus and 2 hours of Halacha Monday through Thursday, with semester and unit assessments to support mastery and independent learning.
    • Formal Women's Yeshiva Education
      Provides formal yeshiva-level Torah education for women, including the study of Likutei Sichos, as part of a structured shlichus to promote advanced Jewish learning among women.
    • High School Chidon Programs
      Supports high school girls in mastering complete seforim through structured Chidon programs for 9th–12th graders, including five tests, Finalist Tests, Shabbaton retreats, and a Grand Championship event in Crown Heights, with recognition and prizes for top performers.
    • Structured Torah Study Courses
      Offers recurring 6-8 week courses three times per year, including online and in-person formats such as a 6-week Mezonos course and weekly chavrusa nights, designed to guide students in exploring Torah topics from original texts and develop independent learning skills.
  • Jewish Textual and Educational Publishing 4 activities
    • Authorship of Torah Educational Materials
      Authored original textbooks and books including "Total Immersion" and "Bread and Fire," focusing on halacha, gemara, chassidus, and women's experiences in Jewish life, to support independent and communal Torah study.
    • Educational Curriculum Development and Distribution
      Develops and supplies comprehensive Torah curricula for high school students, including original textbooks, workbooks, slideshows, quizzes, and teacher guides on nigla and chassidus, along with annual membership for educators that includes training, mentorship, and digital resources.
    • Podcast and Recorded Torah Classes
      Produces a podcast series of forty-nine episodes and recorded classes in which women interpret and discuss Torah texts, providing accessible resources for individual and group learning.
    • Printed Educational Booklets and Group Learning Support
      Distributes printed Hebrew-English booklets with sources, summaries, and discussion questions, and supports group learning through live training sessions for leaders and supplementary recorded classes.
  • Jewish Holiday and Shabbat Community Events 1 activity
    • Community and Spiritual Integration Events
      Hosts monthly farbrengens and Shabbos meals to integrate Torah learning into personal life and strengthen community bonds among students and staff.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$264K
Contributions & grants$194K74%
Program service revenue$70K26%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$270K
Program expenses90%
Admin / overhead10%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$138K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$35K
Cash$35K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$35K
Liquid reserves1.6 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +15.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
Hadassah Shemtov CEO 20 $55K
board members · 4
  • Chana Silberstein — Chairman
  • Judy Wolf — Director
  • Michoel Leib Gniwisch — Treasurer
  • Zelda Nemanow — Secretary
relationships · 9

Who they work with

  • Beis Rivka Partner — Alumna and former teacher at Beis Rivka, a girls' school in the Chabad network.
  • Kehot Publication Society Partner — Partnered with to provide discounted access to the Hebrew and Yiddish sefarim used in the Chidon program.
  • Lubavitcher Rebbe Government — Organization's mission is inspired by the Lubavitcher Rebbe's vision for advancing women's Torah study.
  • Machon Chana Partner — First teacher of the inaugural cohort at Machon Chana, a post-high school yeshiva for women.
  • R. Yoel Kahn Partner — Interviewee contributing insights on the practical relevance of Chassidus.
  • Rabbi Barber Partner — Instructor for the Halacha course in the Brooklyn Beis Midrash
  • Rabbi Golomb Partner — Instructor for the Chassidus course in the Brooklyn Beis Midrash
  • Rabbi Leigh Partner — Instructor for the Chassidus course in the Online Beis Midrash
  • Rivky Slonim Partner — Featured interviewee in a series discussing personal and communal Jewish life.
strategies · 5

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Chavrusa-Based Collaborative Learning
    methodology: chavrusa-based learning
    By combining peer-to-peer (chavrusa) learning with structured guidance, we deepen engagement and understanding, because collaborative study fosters accountability, dialogue, and conceptual clarity that solo study may lack.
  • Intellectual Approach to Spirituality
    methodology: intellectual-spirituality
    By teaching Chassidus as a system of objective spiritual truths rather than emotional inspiration, we produce lasting behavioral change, because intellectual understanding grounds practice in reality rather than aspiration.
  • Learning as Gateway to Jewish Engagement
    methodology: learning-as-entree
    By positioning text-based Torah study as the primary entry point, we foster meaningful Jewish connection, because deep learning—rather than ritual or social programming—builds lasting commitment and identity, especially among women and students.
  • Text-Based Independent Learning
    methodology: text-based independent learning
    By teaching students to engage directly with original Torah texts, we develop their ability to learn independently, because direct text-based study fosters self-reliance, deeper understanding, and long-term ownership of learning.
  • Women-Centered Torah Education
    methodology: women-led religious education
    By creating comprehensive Torah learning opportunities specifically for women, taught by women, we increase authenticity and engagement, because relatable role models and gender-specific pedagogy strengthen personal connection and communal impact.