American ecclesiastic, the first female Rabbi in the U.S. As well as her normal religious services, she leads study groups, councils and works with children. Link to Wikipedia biography
Sally Jane Priesand (born June 27, 1946, in Cleveland, Ohio) holds a significant place in history as the first female rabbi ordained in America. She was ordained by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) in Cincinnati in 1972, marking a pivotal moment for women in Jewish religious leadership. This event garnered considerable media attention and paved the way for greater inclusion of women in the rabbinate.
Priesand grew up in a Reform Jewish household in Cleveland. She attended the University of Cincinnati and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Hebrew and Religious Studies in 1968. She continued her education at HUC-JIR, earning a Master of Arts in Hebrew Letters and being ordained in 1972.
Following her ordination, Rabbi Priesand served as assistant rabbi and later associate rabbi at the Stephen Wise Free Synagogue in New York City. In 1981, she became the rabbi of Monmouth Reform Temple in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, where she served for 25 years, retiring in 2006. Her tenure at Monmouth Reform Temple was marked by her commitment to social justice, interfaith dialogue, and her congregation.
Rabbi Priesand's ordination shattered a long-standing barrier, opening doors for countless women to pursue the rabbinate. She became a symbol of progress and equality, inspiring generations of female religious leaders. Her story has been documented in numerous books, articles, and documentaries, highlighting her significant contribution to Jewish history and the advancement of women's rights.
Since her retirement, Rabbi Priesand has continued to be involved in Jewish life, lecturing and writing about her experiences. She remains a respected voice within the Jewish community and an advocate for social justice causes. While she maintains a lower public profile than during her active rabbinate, her impact continues to be felt through the many women who followed in her footsteps.
Information regarding Rabbi Priesand's current projects, social media presence, and recent news is limited in publicly available resources. As of 2023, she does not appear to maintain a prominent online presence on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, or personal websites.
For the most up-to-date and detailed information, reaching out to organizations like the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR), HUC-JIR alumni networks, or Monmouth Reform Temple might yield further details.
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