About Ariella
Ariella Zirkind received her BA in Judaic Studies from Yeshiva University Stern College. She is a certified Kallah teacher through the National Council of Young Israel, and has a Masters in Public Administration from Baruch College. For seven years, Ariella and her husband, along with their four daughters, served the Manhattan community as the Associate Rabbi and Rebbetzin at The Jewish Center on the Upper West Side where Ariella taught the kallot of the community. Since 2019, they have been acting as senior Rabbi and Rebbetzin of the Riverdale Jewish Center in the Bronx where Ariella has continued teaching and supporting women through their Taharat Hamishpacha experience. She is a passionate community builder who is committed to supporting Jewish women through personalized care and quality, high level learning. Through her original Turning Twelve Bat Mitzvah curriculum, fertility support and dignified end-of-life care, advanced women’s learning or a relaxed get-together, Ariella has gained a reputation for honest and straightforward guidance and is a trusted resource for women of all ages throughout the community. She both possesses and fosters a love of Jewish text and women’s health, as well as a strong belief in quality and Torah based communal systems that enhance the lives of their members in every way. Her first book, Living Niddah: Taharat Hamishpacha Through Tanach, Talmud & Tradition is now available at Kodesh Press.
Living Niddah
Taharat Hamishpacha Through Tanach, Talmud, and Tradition
Living Niddah presents a new approach in the genre of taharat ha-mishpachah by considering niddah in the context of broader Jewish learning, history, and communal life. While niddah is central to a Jewish woman's life, too often we teach it as an isolated mitzvah, missing the broader context, leaving women with an understanding of how to observe the mitzvah but with very limited knowledge of its deeper meaning.
In this volume, Ariella Zirkind – experienced kallah teacher and rebbetzin – shows how niddah is woven into the fabric of Jewish life and other mitzvot. Gently following the familiar structure of kallah classes, she combines a passion for halachic integrity with an equal commitment to women’s health and inspired Jewish observance. It addresses the emotions, philosophy, and psychology surrounding the practice of niddah, and it includes extensive primary sources in Hebrew and English so it can be used for casual reading or in-depth study.
Kallah Classes
Ariella is a trained Kallah Teacher through the National Council of Young Israel, and completed a six month training program to receive her certification in 2011. Since then, she has developed a passion for Women's health and a strong belief in a holistic approach that values the impact of Jewish life on women's physical and emotional well being. Ariella sees the Halachot of Niddah as a careful balance between private and shared, personal and communal, physical and spiritual and believes that there is a place for every woman in this mitzvah. Her classes are source based, warm, and build confidence in your ability to keep niddah correctly and happily. Kallot learn with Ariella for six classes before the wedding and one follow up class after the wedding. She remains a lifelong resource and is available to answer sheilot, facilitate conversations with your Rav or Doctor, assist in referrals, or just to talk for women everywhere, regardless of where you did your Kallah classes.
Turning Twelve Bat Mitzvah Program
The Turning Twelve Bat Mitzvah Program is a unique learning curriculum that combines Torah, creativity, and fun. The course is broken down into five dynamic classes based on the tefillah of Nishmat Kol Chai. The classes each have a broader theme that the girls explore through text based learning, ending in the section of the tefillah that connects to the lesson. Every class is paired with a related craft or activity, from painting to community events and more.
All of the Hebrew text includes complete English translation and guiding directions throughout, making this serious learning accessible to girls and teachers from all backgrounds. Separate instructions for teachers are also included to make it as easy as possible to learn with your Bat Mitzvah girl.
Colorful and engaging layout sparks your creativity while the "Shabbat Shifts" provides a practical task to take on that will make Shabbat more meaningful for each girl. This program is designed to bring out the best in your Bat Mitzvah girl and make this amazing moment in her life even more memorable and meaningful than she imagined.
To place an order please be in touch at ariellazirkind@gmail.com
