Sally Priesand, die erste tatsächlich amtierende Rabbinerin (Rabbinerin Jonas hat ja nie amtiert) der jüdischen Welt, geht nach über 30 Jahren Tätigkeit in den Ruhestand. Zuletzt (seit 1981) war sie Rabbiner des Monmouth Reform Temple in Tinton Falls (New Jersey). Unter anderem war sie dort an der Gründung der Interfaith Neighbors beteiligt, einer Vereinigung zahlreicher Gemeinden verschiedener Religionen. Nach einer schweren Krebserkrankung beschloss sie, sich zur Ruhe zu setzen und damit tritt eine Frau in den Ruhestand, die Vorbild für viele nachfolgende Frauen ist. Sie erst hat den ersten Dammbruch bewirkt, der das, für viele heute selbstverständliche, Rabbinat für Frauen, möglich gemacht hat. Sie war die erste von Tausend!
Now as she prepares to retire more than three decades later, Priesand (pronounced PREE-sand) is widely seen as a role model who’s helped change contemporary Judaism. Since she was ordained in the Reform movement, nearly 1,000 women have become rabbis. The Reconstructionist movement ordained its first female rabbi in 1974, and the Conservative movement followed in 1985. The Orthodox movement does not have female rabbis. (von hier) After she finishes work June 30, Priesand said she’ll go away for six months to give the new rabbi - a man - a chance to establish himself. Eventually, she’ll take up residence as the Tinton Falls rabbi emerita. She will be missed by her congregants, who speak glowingly of her ability to deliver a sermon, her dancing around the bima, her desire to try new ideas and the sheer dedication she brought to the job. “I was from an Orthodox background so it was very unusual to see a woman performing as a rabbi,” said Karen Karl, a temple member for 15 years. “It was the first time I ever held a Torah and said the blessing. This was where I truly connected as a Jew, with her. She’s a unique individual.” (auch von hier)
Kol haKavod! und Refuah Schlemah!