Kol Isha is the OFJCC's women's initiative. Over the course of a year, a select group of local women come together to build community, engage in Jewish learning and create local social impact projects. The current cohort will participate from October 2024 to October 2025.
The name of the program, "Kol Isha," is Hebrew for "A Woman's Voice." This is a traditional term with many different connotations across the Jewish world. We use this term as a way of demonstrating our understanding that Jewish women's voices are being, and always have been, heard. We intend only to amplify.
Kol Isha is comprised of several programmatic elements, including a four-day in-person service-learning trip, in-person group meetings throughout the year, Jewish learning and organization and implementation of social impact projects.
The Kol Isha curriculum focuses on a feminist approach to classical Jewish texts and social justice. The learning and social impact components aim to create a community of women interested in exploring themes from ancient times that resonate in modern times, challenging systemic injustice in both contexts, and discovering
the meaning of creating change in the world as women and as Jews. The learning journey will examine issues of immigration, displacement, self-determination, identity, power and social change.
Kol Isha convenes once a month from 7:00–9:00 PM. Participants are expected to fully participate in the program.
Session dates:
- Tuesday, October 22, 2024 | 7:00–9:00 PM | Oshman Family JCC Sukkah
- Monday, November 4, 2024 | 7:00–9:00 PM | Nourish Cafe by Tony Caters
- December 4–7, 2024 | Service-learning trip to Scottsdale, Arizona with Arizona Jews For Justice
- Tuesday, January 7, 2025 | 7:00–9:00 PM | Arrillaga Family Pavilion (Bldg. C), 2nd Floor
- Tuesday, February 4, 2025 | 7:00–9:00 PM | Arrillaga Family Pavilion (Bldg. C), 2nd Floor
- Tuesday, March 4, 2025 | 7:00–9:00 PM | Arrillaga Family Pavilion (Bldg. C), 2nd Floor
- Tuesday, April 1, 2025 | 7:00–9:00 PM | Arrillaga Family Pavilion (Bldg. C), 2nd Floor
- Tuesday, May 6, 2025 | 7:00–9:00 PM | Arrillaga Family Pavilion (Bldg. C), 2nd Floor
- Tuesday, June 3, 2025 | 7:00–9:00 PM | Arrillaga Family Pavilion (Bldg. C), 2nd Floor
- Tuesday, September 9, 2025 | 7:00–9:00 PM | Arrillaga Family Pavilion (Bldg. C), 2nd Floor
- Tuesday, October 14, 2025 | 7:00–9:00 PM | Oshman Family JCC Sukkah
Program cost: $1,650
Payment plans and scholarships are available upon request. Please reach out to Luba Palant at [email protected].
The cost includes: year-long group meetings and activities, hotel accommodation (double occupancy) in Scottsdale, Arizona, some meals and bus transportation to activities in Arizona.
The cost does not include: airfare to Scottsdale, Arizona, ground transportation to and from the Phoenix airport, some local trips (participants will use Uber) and some meals in Arizona.
Applications for Kol Isha Cohort 4 are now closed. The next application cycle will open in July 2025.
Facilitators:
Tova Birnbaum is the Senior Jewish Education Specialist at the JCC Association, and formerly served as the Director of Jewish Content at the Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto, California. She is also a faculty member in the Mandel Educational Leadership Program at the Mandel Institute for Nonprofit Leadership. Tova was born in B'nai B'rak, Israel, in an Ultra-Orthodox home, and was one of the founders of the BINA Secular Yeshiva in Tel Aviv, where she was a faculty member for many years. She also served as the Central Shlicha (emissary), Director of the North America Region of the World Zionist Organization.
Tova is a Judaic studies teacher, Theater Midrash workshop facilitator and a Secular Jewish Life Cycle ceremonies officiant. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School in Palo Alto. Tova holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and Jewish philosophy from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and a master's degree in theater from Tel Aviv University. Tova and her husband, Yishay, live in Palo Alto and are the proud parents of their two daughters, Arya and Talya.
Luba Palant is the Senior Director of Community Engagement at the OFJCC and leads the Center for Social Impact. Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, she moved to California after earning her degree. For 15 years, Luba has passionately led OFJCC's Tikkun Olam efforts, supporting local nonprofits and driving community involvement. She focuses on mission-driven programs, fostering community circles and creating collaborative opportunities.