The Kohenet Institute, also known as the Kohenet Hebrew Priestess Institute, was an American Jewish organization that trained women to be Jewish spiritual leaders.[1] The institute was founded in November 2005 by Rabbi Jill Hammer and Holly Taya Shere.[2][3] It held its first training program August 14–20, 2006, at the Elat Chayyim Retreat Center in Accord, New York. In July 2009, the institute ordained for the first time 11 women as kohanot (priestesses).[2] As of early 2021 the institute had graduated almost 100 women as priestesses. Ordination required the completion of a three-year training and program including 13 paths which explored different "female archetypes".[4] Amidst conflict between leadership, the Institute closed in 2023.[5]
The organization was criticized by some Jewish leaders for its alleged embrace of pagan rituals.[6] The movement itself is heterogeneous, with its founders taking a "soft monotheism" stance, as they themselves are monotheistic, but never have tried to keep polytheists away from their spaces.[7] The primary founder, Jill Hammer, has expressed concern in response that the accusation of "paganism" is used to shut down theological discussion, and may be applied to people who simply use feminine language for God, and who connect to God through feminine imagery.[8]