A forum for empowering women to be Jewish scholars and educators, Drisha Institute was founded in 1979 by Rabbi David Silber as the world's first center for women's advanced study of classical Jewish texts. “Drisha,” meaning to “explore/seek new ideas,” offers a wide variety of educational initiatives, including full-time programs with a leadership development track, summer institutes, summer and winter high school programs, a Bat Mitzvah program, continuing education programs and community lectures. Thousands of women and men from the New York area, and around the world, participate in Drisha programs annually.

The Arts Fellowship Initiative in its first two years was very successful. The first class in 2005 had two fellows; the second class had eight; this year there were 50 applicants, of which 20 were selected. Each artist presents her work to the Drisha community and discusses how her learning found its way into her art. These presentations serve to enrich other students, faculty and staff. In addition, giving these presentations helps each artist formulate and articulate her thoughts on fusing Judaism and the arts and prepares her to go out and educate different communities about her discoveries.