TEL AVIV/NEW YORK — A remarkable five-year partnership in Torah study between 80-year-old Beit Shemesh yoga instructor Susie Rosenfeld and New York-based dance educator Brianna Lopez has offered a striking testament to the power of Jewish learning to bridge age, geography, and background. The two were brought together in August 2020 by Partners in Torah, a program dedicated to fostering one-on-one Jewish study across the world.
Their “5th learniversary” this August marked thousands of hours spent discussing Torah portions, Jewish prayers, and Hebrew language work made possible through weekly phone and video sessions. Both women agreed that the relationship extended far beyond a textbook approach. “She’s a huge part of my life, and I am accomplishing something I never thought possible,” said Rosenfeld, who prepares detailed study notes for their sessions. “I’m taking large amounts of time out of my schedule to prepare what to study with Brianna, pretty much weekly, for these Sunday chats.”
Lopez, who was initially hesitant about joining Partners in Torah and matched with several potential study partners, specifically sought an older mentor, saying she wanted to learn from someone “who’s lived a life and knows what she knows and knows it well.” She describes Rosenfeld as a “spiritual mother,” adding, “Our phone calls aren’t just about learning. They’re transformative.”
Their sessions began with material related to the High Holidays and extended to deeper studies of Genesis and Jewish liturgy. The pandemic, which drastically limited in-person yoga instruction for Rosenfeld, helped create time for study preparation and teaching. “I grew tremendously in my Torah learning through teaching,” Rosenfeld reflected. “That was like the crowning moment of my life, to have that intensity of Jewish learning.”
For Lopez, raised with little exposure to Judaism, the partnership has been nothing short of life-changing. Inspired by an early research trip to Israel, she began learning Hebrew and exploring her Jewish roots. “Because of my relationship with Susie and the learning that we’ve done together, my relationship to God has risen,” she shared. “I feel closer to God than ever. I feel closer to myself than ever. I feel like a more grateful person, and my heart is more open.”
The pair has met in person during Lopez’s visits to Israel, further deepening their connection and allowing her to experience Jewish ritual firsthand. For Rosenfeld, the opportunity to share her knowledge has filled a personal gap, especially as her children are not observant.
Both give credit to the persistence of digital advertisements and the flexibility created by the COVID-19 pandemic for enabling their extraordinary connection. Rabbi Eli Gewirtz, Founder and International Director of Partners in Torah, emphasized the broader mission: “We are continuing to connect study partners such as Susie and Brianna worldwide, in an effort to foster Jewish learning and create meaningful relationships across generations, backgrounds, and geographical distances.”
As they mark five years of learning, Rosenfeld and Lopez say the bond they have built is nothing short of miraculous. “It hasn’t just changed my life, I’ve become a different person,” Lopez said. “The Jewish wisdom I’ve learned and shared with Susie has touched every part of who I am.”
This article is based on verified information from Partners in Torah, participant interviews, and official program statements.