The Downtown Va'ad, an Orthodox rabbinic network, was established in 2013 to advance the welfare and flourishing of the Downtown Jewish community. For more information: facebook.com/downtownvaad י"ט אלול, תשע"ו September 22, 2016 We are thrilled to announce the hiring of Ilana Gadish as a Yoetzet Halacha for the downtown community. Yoatzot Halacha are women who serve as a resource regarding Taharat Hamishpacha (the area of Jewish Law that relates to marriage, sexuality, ritual immersion, and women's health). Yoatzot Halacha are trained and certified by Nishmat and a panel of Orthodox rabbis. This position was initiated for women who might be more comfortable discussing sensitive issues with female religious advisors. Yoetzet Ilana is available to answer questions related to Taharat Hamishpacha and may be reached by phone at (646) 598-1080 and by email at [email protected]. Ilana Gadish serves as the Yoetzet Halacha for a number of synagogues in Manhattan, and is a graduate of Nishmat's U.S. Yoatzot Halacha Fellows program. She also teaches Talmud and Tanakh at the Ramaz Upper School. Ilana previously served as an intern at Lincoln Square Synagogue, and before that as an intern at United Orthodox Synagogues in Houston, Texas. Ilana received her M.A. in Biblical and Talmudic Interpretation at the Graduate Program in Advanced Talmudic Studies (GPATS) at Stern College for Women, where she also received her B.A. with a major in Judaic Studies and a minor in Biology. She spent a year studying at Midreshet Lindenbaum in Jerusalem, as well as two summers at the Drisha Institute. Ilana loves roller coasters, white water rafting, and foodie Instagrams. She currently lives on the Upper West Side with her husband Moshe Peters and their daughter. The community is invited to meet Yoetzet Ilana when she speaks at the upcoming Downtown Va’ad Teshuva Yom Iyun planned for October 9th. She will present, “Hope for the Hopeless: Biblical & Talmudic Perspectives on Judgment” at 11:00 AM. The first six months of Ilana’s service have been sponsored by both the Sixth Street Community Synagogue and the Stanton Street Shul. For individual and institutional sponsorship opportunities, please contact Rabbi Bellino ([email protected]). Aviad Bodner Jason Herman Sion Setton Rabbi, Stanton Street Shul Rabbi, Hudson Yards Synagogue Rabbi, Downtown Va’ad Jonathan Glass Avram Mlotek Yoni Greenwald Rabbi, Tribeca Synagogue Rabbi, Base Hillel Executive Director, The Brownstone Joe Wolfson Yehuda Sarna Gavriel Bellino Rabbi, NYU’s Bronfman Center & Rabbi/Executive Director, NYU’s Rabbi, Sixth Street Community JLIC Bronfman Center Synagogue Chaplain, NYU .