Dear Yoetzet

In this Yom Kippur episode, @dearyoetzet Lisa Septimus and her guest Dena Block, also a Yoetzet Halacha, explore the transformative power of teshuva and tahara. What does it mean to emerge from Yom Kippur not simply forgiven, but renewed? How can the idea of tahara, as a process of rebirth and renewal, shape the way we approach our relationships? This conversation considers how each experience of the tahara process can offer an opportunity for clarity, growth, and a fresh start.

What happens when one spouse desperately wants another child—and the other feels just as strongly that their family is complete? Unlike so many marital disagreements, this one doesn't offer an obvious compromise. And when the stakes are this emotional, the question of whether to have another baby can become about much more than family size: trust, autonomy, resentment, fear, and whether each spouse feels heard and respected. In this episode of @dearyoetzet, Lisa Septimus and Rabbi Larry Rothwachs, LCSW, explore how couples can navigate one of the most consequential disagreements in a marriage: how to understand what lies beneath each partner's position, protect the trust between them, and move toward a decision neither spouse feels was forced upon them. They also discuss the Jewish values and halachic considerations that make questions of family planning even more complex.

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 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 1, Lisa speaks with Yoetzet Halacha Shoshana Samuels, creator and instructor of Nishmat's Miriam Glaubach Center Kallah Teacher Certification Course, about the qualities of a strong kallah teacher and the essential components of kallah classes.

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 Yoetzet Halacha Lisa Septimus and Dr. Joshua Klein discuss the benefits and challenges of fertility preservation, for both single and married women. Note: If you are considering or planning fertility preservation and have any halachic questions, don't hesitate to reach out to a Nishmat Yoetzet Halacha Fertility Counselor either at https://www.yoatzot.org/about-yoatzot-halacha/fertility-counselors/ or on WhatsApp at +972-2-640-4330.

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 of Dear Yoetzet, Yoetzet Halacha Lisa Septimus and Rachel Tuchman, LMHC discuss different styles of kallah classes as well as key things for couples to consider as they begin building their lives together.

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 special episode, @dearyoetzet Lisa Septimus interviews Rabbanit Chana Henkin, Founder and Chancellor of Nishmat. Together, they go behind the scenes to explore Rabbanit Henkin's remarkable vision and her journey alongside her ezer k'negdo, Rav Yehuda Henkin zt"l, bringing this vision to reality and leaving an indelible impact on Klal Yisrael. To order Rav Henkin's book Responsa on Contemporary Women's Issues (referenced in the episode) go to https://ktav.com/products/responsa-on-contemporary-jewish-women-s-issues-1?_pos=2&_sid=cadc118a3&_ss=r or https://a.co/d/bov7hh6

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 Dr. Regine Galanti, clinical psychologist and founder of LI Behavioral Psychology. They discuss women who experience anxiety or OCD around Niddah observance and mikveh preparation and how it can be best addressed in therapy and with halachic guidance.

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 interviews her own teacher, Nishmat Miriam Glaubach Center Senior Lecturer, Rabbi Gedalyah Berger. Together they discuss different halachic issues with different types of birth control as well as how to approach a situation in which you feel like you've exhausted all the options.

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 Yoetzet Halacha Lisa Septimus and Shoshannah Olshin discuss what we can do to keep the spark alive in our marriages and intimate lives when we feel pulled in many directions including raising children, careers, and household responsibilities.

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.

So many of us are taught that adjusting to marriage takes time and effort. Is it normal to worry that you made a big mistake? Is it common to think about divorce during the first year of marriage? Have you ever had those thoughts and worried that something is wrong? In this episode Yoetzet Halacha Lisa Septimus interviews therapist Elisheva Liss, LMFT to discuss these questions and troubleshoot common issues that come up in early marriage. No matter what your age or stage, you will find value in this episode as Lisa and Elisheva tackle issues that are important in every relationship.

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.

What happens if you discover the guy you are dating has watched, or currently watches, pornography? Are there red flags- when can it be worked on, and are there times where you might need to break it off? In this episode of Dear Yoetzet, Yoetzet Halacha Lisa Septimus interviews Dr. Binyamin Tepfer on this challenging issue, more prevalent in our community than we might want to think.