 In May 2009, Weiss announced the opening of Yeshivat Maharat, a new school to train women as "Maharat", an acronym for the Hebrew מנהיגה הלכתית רוחנית תורנית (halakhic, spiritual, and Torah leader), a title he created for a female version of a rabbi.The school's mission, according to its website, is "to train Orthodox women as spiritual leaders and halakhic authorities" in a four-year full-time course.Sara Hurwitz was appointed dean of Yeshivat Maharat.