Midrasha

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Midrasha (Hebrew: מדרשה‎; pl.: midrashot/midrashas) is a Hebrew term currently used for three types of educational institutions:^[1]

1. Torah study institutions for women of post-high-school age. Also called "seminaries".^[1]
2. Informal education colleges and institutions.^[1]
3. Israeli field schools focused on nature and ecology who hold seminars and organize field trips.^[1]

The term is most commonly used for educational institutes for women involved in Torah study, usually located in Israel, but with examples elsewhere as well.

In the religious context, a midrasha is somewhat equivalent to the term yeshiva (for men). The midrasha is also somewhat parallel to a "women's seminary" (Hebrew סמינר‎ "seminar",^[1] plural "seminaries" or sometimes "seminaria"), which functions in a similar form, though often associated with more traditionalist communities. While the terms may sometimes become interchangeable, "midrashot" are commonly linked to Religious Zionism, while the women's "seminaries" are usually associated with Haredi Judaism. Also, the term midrasha may sometimes be used to refer to pluralistic institutions.