Israel’s first female rabbi: My country needs liberal Judaism

Published: 20 August 2018

Last updated: 4 March 2024

IN 1992, WHEN I was the first woman ordained in the State of Israel, I was an oddity at best. This year, we ordained our 100th Israeli Reform rabbi, and they are serving communities and institutions all over Israel.

Over 25 years later, my daughter, a native-born Israeli, great granddaughter of the founders of Rechavia, became a rabbi. She is serving a community in the lower Galilee founded by 3rd and 4th generation kibbutzniks, taking back the Judaism that their grandparents had discarded, but remolding it for the 21st century.

FULL STORY I was the first woman ordained in Israel. Of course Israel needs liberal Judaism (Forward)

Photo: Rabbi Naamah Kelman was ordained by former President Rabbi Alfred Gottschalk in 1992. (Courtesy of HUC-JIR)