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.

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.

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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.

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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
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Team JOWMA

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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.

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COO-CFO

Sheindel Ifrah Goldfeiz
OMS-IV

Sheindel (Ifrah) Goldfeiz is a fourth year medical student at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine. She lives in New Jersey with her three adorable children and her husband. Before Sheindel began medical school, she received her BA in Special Elementary Education from Thomas Edison University, taught middle school science for three years, and subsequently completed a post-bac in basic sciences at Temple University. 

Sheindel is the current COO-CFO of JOWMA, a non-profit organization, where she optimizes functionality and communications to increase support and opportunities for physicians, physician trainees and pre-medical students, while also working to enhance accessibility to health education in the Orthodox Jewish community. She is involved in several research projects including a study on increasing vaccine uptake through peer-to-peer education, and the impacts of culturally competent care in several New York hospitals.

Seeing the gap of basic medical and science information in the general population during the COVID19 pandemic, as well as the discrepancies and inaccessibility of mental health care, Sheindel became inspired to begin sharing more health education on her own social media platform. In her free time, she posts information related to nutrition and mental health, premed advice, as well as her experiences and passions on her Instagram @futuredr.Shay.

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Director of Community Health

Sima Bernstein Kern, EdD
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Sima Bernstein brings experience in education, research, and advocacy to her role as Director of Community Health. With a Doctor of Education degree from Teachers College at Columbia University, Sima has dedicated her career to improving the well-being of families in underserved communities. She has contributed significantly to various research projects and organizations, including the National Institute for Early Education Research and the National Center for Children in Poverty. Sima has a longstanding history of involvement in organizations such as Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Northern New Jersey.

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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.

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Content Editor

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 and physicians trainees on the ground to service the Orthodox Jewish community through live health education sessions.

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." - Eleanor Roosevelt

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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…

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Executive Assistant

Yael Bree, MD
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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.

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Creativity Director

Bryana Toran

Bryana is the Creative Director at JOWMA, and has been a graphic designer for over 13 years - though some might say her career began at the age of 12, obsessively designing her AOL profiles and AIM away messages (and yes, she knows how much that ages her). Bryana has worked for many Jewish non-profits over the years, but loves the female empowerment and community health awareness that JOWMA strives to achieve. She currently lives in Northern New Jersey with her husband and 4 children, and her happy place is at the beach.

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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…

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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…

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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.

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Physician advisory board

Sahar Wertheimer

MD, Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility
Past President

Bat-Sheva Maslow

MD, Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility
Past Chief Marketing Officer

Chana Weinstock Neuberger

MD, Medical Oncology
Past Vice President

Sherrie Neustein Orzel

MD, Pediatrics
Past Vice President

Sharon Stoll

DO, Neurology
Past Co-VP

Tal Weinberger

MD, Psychiatry
Past Co-VP

Ilana Marguilis

MD, Plastic Surgery
Past Treasurer

Sheindel Ifrah

OMS-IV
Past Treasurer

Jessica Goldman

MD, Radiology
Past Chief Development Officer

Jordana (Goldman) Levine

MD, Allergy and Immunology
Past Secretary

Mira Hellmann Ostrove

MD, Gynecologic Surgery
Past Secretary

Sarah Rosanel

MD, Cardiology
Past Treasurer

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

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Community Health Engagement
and Special Programs:

1

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.

2

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.

3

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.

4

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!