Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association

The Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association (RRA) founded in 1974, is the professional association of rabbis affiliated with Reconstructionist Judaism.[1] It has approximately 300 members, most of whom are graduates of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College (RRC) in Wyncote, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. The RRA is a member of a number of national coalitions including the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.[2] Its first director was Rabbi Richard Hirsh who was hired in 1984 to work five hours/week when he was dean of admissions at RRC.[3]

From 1987 to 1989, Rabbi Joy Levitt was the first female president of the RRA.[4]

In 2007, Rabbi Toba Spitzer became the first openly lesbian or gay person chosen to head a rabbinical association in the United States when she was elected president of the RRA.[5]

  1. ^ "Reconstructing Judaism". www.reconstructingjudaism.org. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  2. ^ "Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations". www.conferenceofpresidents.org. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  3. ^ Silverstein, Marilyn (August 27, 1998). "A Place at the Table: Rabbi/executive returns to head the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association". The Jewish Exponent. p. 18. ProQuest 227237803.
  4. ^ Academic Dean and Professor of Church History Emeritae Rosemary Skinner Keller; Rosemary Radford Ruether; Marie Cantlon (2006). Encyclopedia of Women and Religion in North America: Native American creation stories. Indiana University Press. pp. 553–. ISBN 0-253-34687-8.
  5. ^ Radin, Charles A. (2007-03-13). "First openly gay rabbi elected leader". The Boston Globe.