Women's Focus

HIWP places a priority on fully integrating women into shul life—across ritual, study, and leadership areas—to the extent permitted by halachah. Women have held leadership positions in the Hebrew Institute of White Plains for many years, serving on the religious leadership team, the Board of Directors, as officers of the synagogue—including the presidency—and on all committees. The following roles and practices have been established to help fulfill our commitment to full women’s engagement:

• Robust, multi-generational Women’s Tefillah group
• Shabbat in the main sanctuary: Women lead prayers for the Israel Defense Forces and the U.S. government, and carry the Torah through the women’s section
• Simchat Torah: A woman is recognized with an Oraitta honor, and a special Women’s Tefillah and Torah reading is held
• Purim and Shavuot: Women’s Megillah readings
• Sukkot: Parallel men’s and women’s Hoshanot in the main sanctuary
• Women’s Rosh Chodesh program
• Board-level Women’s Focus Officer
• Gabbayit member of the Gabbay team, focusing on religious services, and coordinating women’s roles and honors for Shabbat and holidays in the main sanctuary

For more information, contact  WomensTefillah@hiwp.org.