Apr

6 2022

"Scouts, Trailblazers, Pathfinders, Explorers: A History of Women Rabbis"

7:30PM - 8:30PM  

Karen Clark Vassar Temple
140 Hooker Avenue
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Contact Karen Clark
8454542570
vassartempleoffice@gmail.com

The year 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the ordination of Sally J. Priesand, the first American woman publicly ordained as a rabbi. Yet, her groundbreaking ordination, which opened the door for subsequent generations of women, was preceded by the impactful lives of other, lesser-known female scholars and community leaders. In commemoration and celebration of this auspicious anniversary, we are presenting a four-session adult education series that spotlights some significant women from the 1500’s to the early modern period who held quasi-rabbinic status in their communities, compares and contrasts the ordinations of Rabbis Sally Priesand and Regina Jonas (Who? Come find out!), explores the challenges faced by the first generation of women in the rabbinate, and reflects on how women’s leadership has changed both the rabbinate and the Jewish community as a whole. We’ll be utilizing a curriculum created by the Women’s Rabbinic Network, integrating short video presentations.  It is recommended, but not required, to attend all four sessions.

For further study, you may be interested in reading the book The Sacred Calling, Four Decades of Women in the Rabbinate. Watch temple e-mails for any updates, and contact office@vassartemple.org for the Zoom link.

Sponsor: Vassar Temple