About Ohr Yehudis
Ohr Yehudis is Chicago’s first Torah learning center for frum women in the Bais Yaakov community — a true makom Torah dedicated to serious, high-level learning, connection, and growth.
After seminary, women enter some of the busiest and most demanding years of life: building homes, raising families, and carrying community responsibilities. These are the years when Torah, mentorship, and connection with other women are needed more than ever. Ohr Yehudis was created to provide a consistent home for women’s Torah learning with trusted teachers, familiar faces, and a rhythm of learning that becomes a cherished part of everyday life.
For the past six months, our pilot programming has demonstrated the tremendous desire within the community for structured, high-quality Torah learning. We are now focused on expanding that vision by building lasting infrastructure and increasing programming across morning, midday, and evening tracks throughout the week. In addition to shiurim, we aim to serve as the address for women’s Torah learning in Chicago through guest speakers, shabbatons and Torah-learning conferences that inspire women at every stage of life.
Our vision is simple: to create a lasting center of Torah, growth, and community for frum women in Chicago
Administration
& Teachers
Mrs. Nurit Siegal, Founder & Director of Ohr Yehudis
Mrs. Nurit Siegal lives in West Rogers Park with her husband and four children. For over fifteen years, she has been involved in writing and lecturing on Jewish history, antisemitism, and the religious and philosophical campaigns launched against Torah Judaism throughout history. She received her Master’s in Political Theory from the University of Chicago, where she wrote her thesis on antisemitism in modern political thought.
Rebbetzin Michal Cohen
Rebbetzin Michal Cohen, LCSW, has served as the Rebbetzin of Congregation Adas Yeshurun for over 30 years. Alongside her private practice, she dedicates one day each week to serving clients at the Moses and Helen Stern Upward Counseling Center, where she has worked as a therapist since 2021. Her warmth, wisdom, and decades of experience make her classes both deeply thoughtful and highly practical.
Mrs. Faith Neuman
Mrs. Faith Neuman serves as the Assistant Director of Advocacy and Outreach at Simcha Link. A veteran educator, she has taught in several local day schools and continues to lead private learning groups for women throughout the community. Her engaging teaching style brings depth, clarity, and relevance to timeless Torah ideas.
Mrs. Jenna Handler
Jenna Handler is a sought-after kallah teacher and speaker in Chicago. In addition to her work with organizations such as Sister to Sister, she teaches for private groups, offering engaging and practical guidance rooted in Torah wisdom and real-life experience.
Mrs. Malka Chaimowitz
Mrs. Malka Chaimowitz spearheads Ohr Yehudis’s young women’s division and has been teaching young Jewish women since graduating from Machon Raaya in 2018. She also holds a degree in civil engineering from York University and works remotely as an estimator.