WHO WE ARE
The Jewish Orthodox Women’s Medical Association (JOWMA) provides free health education to the entire Orthodox Jewish community and supports a network of current and future Jewish female physician leaders.
Our vision is a Jewish community who has easy access to culturally-sensitive and relevant health information, and can make informed medical decisions. Additionally, we envision a connection between all Jewish women physicians and physician trainees.
ABOUT JOWMA
Our Programs
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In-Person Community Education
In-person educational series brought to community centers. Event programming is designed by our team of physician and physician trainees around topics that are relevant and requested by the community.
Virtual Health Education
Our virtual platform includes live webinar events with Q&A sessions, our YouTube channel, podcast and hotline, all covering a wide variety of topics addressing community health concerns. Our dedicated physician and physician trainee volunteers tailor their materials to what they see as both physicians and community members of the Orthodox Jewish community, and highlight topics specifically related to Teen Health, Mental Health, Pediatrics, and Women’s Health.
Physician Support
Our physician support branch creates our virtual and in-person programming related to creating opportunities, career advancement and education resources for our membership. This includes:
- The JOWMA Annual Dinner and Symposium
- CME-accredited Grand Rounds
- Our annual Graduation Celebration
- The Pre-med Committee virtual and in-person programming
- JOWMA city branch networking events
Team JOWMA
CEO & Co-Founder
Miriam A. Knoll, MD
Radiation Oncology
Co-founder/CEO of JOWMA, Miriam “Mimi” Knoll, MD DABR, is a board-certified radiation oncologist at Advanced Radiation Oncology Services at Montefiore Nyack Hospital in New York. Dr Knoll received her medical degree at New York University School of Medicine and completed her radiation oncology training at Mount Sinai Medical Center in NY.
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Co-Founder & Past CEO
Eliana Fine, MD
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Eliana Fine, MD is a second year obstetrics and gynecology resident at Stony Brook University Hospital. She graduated from Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University 3YMD Program in 2021. Prior to medical school, she obtained a bachelor’s degree at Stern College for Women.
COO-CFO
Sheindel (Ifrah) Goldfeiz
OMS-IV
Sheindel (Ifrah) Goldfeiz is a medical student at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine. She lives in New Jersey with her two adorable children and her husband. After graduating with a BA in Elementary and Special Education, Sheindel taught middle school science for three years and subsequently completed a post-bac in basic sciences at Temple University.
Director of Community Health
Miriam Borvick
MS-I
Miriam Borvick is the Director of Community Health and has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She enjoys crocheting kippahs, blankets, little dolls and other accessories for her family, as well as to give to those in need. Miriam has built the JOWMA in-person community health program from the ground up, bringing JOWMA physicians…
Director of Health Education
Jennie Berkovich, DO
Pediatrician
Jennie Berkovich, DO, FAAP is the Director of Education. Jennie is a board certified pediatrician who loves being a mommy, running, biking and lifting heavy weights. She believes that movement is medicine! “JOWMA gives me an opportunity to exercise my unique gifts and talents and allows me to be my most authentic self.
Director of Mental Health
Sarah Becker, MD
Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Sarah Dienstag Becker MD is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and Director of Mental Health and Special Projects at JOWMA. She attended Brooklyn College and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, completed her psychiatric residency at Montefiore Medical Center, and a child psychiatry fellowship at Zucker Hillside Hospital at Northwell.
Director Of QI
Ellie Carmody, MD
Infectious Disease
Dr. Ellie Carmody is an associate professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. She obtained her MD at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, completed her internship and residency in Internal Medicine at New York-Presbyterian, Columbia University and Infectious Diseases fellowship at NYU…
Podcast Host
Alisa Minkin, MD
Pediatrics
Alisa Minkin, MD, FAAP, is a pediatrician in Oceanside, NY at Beach Pediatrics, a division of Allied Pediatrics. She is the proud and ever- enthusiastic host of the JOWMA podcast. Alisa is a huge bookworm, which gives her lots of ideas for people to interview! Additionally, she is especially passionate about mental and preventative health.
Creativity Director
Bryana Toran
Bryana is the Creative Director at JOWMA, and has been a graphic designer for over 10 years - though some might say her design career began at the age of 12, obsessively.
Digital Content Director
Adina Levitan
Adina Levitan, MS, CCLS is the Digital Content Director at JOWMA. Adina is excited to blend her background as a child life specialist with her experience as a…
Grants and Finance Manager
Shaindy Bressler
I am the bookkeeper for JOWMA. When I am not balancing the books I enjoy spending time with my kids and going to the gym. It is inspiring to work for JOWMA and to see…
Community Outreach Coordinator
Onit Zisserman
Onit Zisserman is the JOWMA Administrator. Her love for people and JOWMA’s cause make it a great job for this former preschool teacher.
Past Board of Directors
Sahar Wertheimer
MD, Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility
Bat-Sheva Maslow
MD, Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility
Chana Weinstock Neuberger
MD, Medical Oncology
Sherrie Neustein Orzel
MD, Pediatrics
Sharon Stoll
DO, Neurology
Tal Weinberger
MD, Psychiatry
Ilana Marguilis
MD, Plastic Surgery
Sheindel Ifrah
OMS-IV
Jessica Goldman
MD, Radiology
Jordana (Goldman) Levine
MD, Allergy and Immunology
Mira Hellmann Ostrove
MD, Gynecologic Surgery
Sarah Rosanel
MD, Cardiology
We promote health awareness and
education for the community.
1. Providing culturally sensitive and accurate health education.
2. Bringing medical information directly to the Orthodox Jewish community through in-person programming.
3. Increasing accessibility to health information through virtual webinars, recorded podcasts, and a free hotline.
4. Supporting current, training, and aspiring Orthodox Jewish women physicians through all stages of education and training.
4. Supporting current, training, and aspiring Orthodox Jewish women physicians through all stages of education and training.
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
Community Health Engagement
and Special Programs:
In-person
educational series
In-person educational series brought to community centers. Event programming is designed by our team of physician and physician trainees around topics that are relevant and requested by the community.
Mental Health
programming
In-person educational series brought to community centers. Event programming is designed by our team of physician and physician trainees around topics that are relevant and requested by the community.
Printed Educational
Materials & Editorials
Organized by our Director of Health Education, a board-certified Pediatrician, to bring requested community health materials to hospitals serving OrthodoxJewish communities.
Infectious Disease
Prevention Task Force
Special programming to specifically address questions related to outbreaks and vaccines in the Orthodox Jewish community, ledby board certified InfectiousDisease physicians & Pediatricians.
Have a question about JOWMA programming?
Want to collaborate? We would love to help you!
