Lisa Septimus

Lisa Septimus is a graduate of Nishmat’s first U.S. Yoatzot Halacha cohort and has worked as Yoetzet since 2013. She has fielded thousands of questions related to Taharat HaMishpacha with sensitivity, knowledge, relatability, and warmth. In the past, she also served as the Yoetzet Halacha for Great Neck, and Interim Yoetzet Halacha of Manhattan. She holds a masters in Bible from Yeshiva University's Bernard Revel Graduate School and is a graduate of Stern College’s Graduate Program for Advanced Talmudic Studies, where she subsequently served as the program’s shoelet u’meishiva.  She teaches Judaic Studies at North Shore Hebrew Academy High School in Great Neck, NY, where she also serves as director of Special Programs.  In her active role as rebbetzin at the Young Israel of North Woodmere (NY) she is integrally involved with adult education and youth programming.  She has taught at The Jewish Center in Manhattan, Riverdale Jewish Center, Drisha, and Yeshiva University’s Summer Learning Program.  She and her husband, Rabbi Yehuda Septimus, are the parents of four children.  

What is a Yoetzet Halacha?

Yoatzot Halacha are women trained by Nishmat, The Jeanie Schottenstein Center for Advanced Torah Study for Women, located in Jerusalem with an American branch at Mayanot High School in Teaneck, NJ.They devote two years (over 1000 hours) to intensive study with rabbinic authorities in taharat ha-mishpachah, Jewish family ritual law. They also receive training from experts in modern medicine and psychology, including gynecology, infertility, women’s health, family dynamics and sexuality.Most candidates have spent 2-3 years post-college studying Talmud and halachic texts in addition to a strong yeshiva background and years studying in Israel and college.   All of the women display religious and personal integrity so that they can serve as proper role models to others.  For years, Yoatzot Halakhah have served in strongly committed halakhic communities throughout Israel as well as – thanks to Nishmat’s Miriam Glaubach Center – in America.  The American communities include Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Teaneck, Riverdale, Manhattan, and now the Five Towns.Yoetzet Lisa Septimus is available as a resource for women in the greater Five Towns.  She is available to answer questions that arise, and consults closely with poskim and with the shul rabbis of those asking the questions.  She also  gives many shiurim  on a variety of topics.

Yoetzet Halacha Lisa Septimus is available by phone (516-900-2109) or email (5townsyoetzet@gmail.com) to consult on issues relating to: 

• Taharat hamishpacha
• Mikveh immersion
• Pregnancy and childbirth
• Postpartum and breastfeeding
• Gynecological procedures
• Fertility
• Menopause
• Family planning
• Cancer treatment and mikveh-related issues
• Marital intimacy