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]
Past presidents
edit- Rabbi David Brusin (RRC '74) (1974-1976)
- Rabbi Arnold Rachlis (RRC '75) (1976-1978)
- Rabbi Dennis C. Sasso (RRC '74) (1978-1980)
- Rabbi Elliot Skiddell (RRC '80) (1980-1983)
- Rabbi Steven Sager (RRC '78) (1983-1985)
- Rabbi Ira Schiffer (RRC '81) (1985-1987)
- Rabbi Joy Levitt (RRC '81) (1987-1989)
- Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso (RRC '74) (1989-1991)
- Rabbi Lee Friedlander (RRC '75) (1991-1993)
- Rabbi Ron Aigen (RRC '76) (1993-1995)
- Rabbi Michael Cohen (RRC '90) (1995-1996)
- Rabbi Barbara Penzner (RRC '87) (1996-1999)
- Rabbi Dan Ehrenkrantz (RRC '89) )1999-2001)
- Rabbi Nancy Fuchs Kreimer (RRC '82) (2001-2003)
- Rabbi Amy Small (RRC '87) (2003-2005)
- Rabbi Brant Rosen (RRC '92) (2005-2007)
- Rabbi Toba Spitzer (RRC '97) (2007-2009)
- Rabbi Yael Ridberg (RRC '97) (2009-2011)
- Rabbi Fredi Cooper (RRC '00) (2011-2013)
- Rabbi Jason Klein (RRC '02) (2013-2015)
- Rabbi Nina H. Mandel (RRC '03) (2015-2017)
- Rabbi Elliott Tepperman (RRC '02) (2020-2022)
- Rabbi James Greene (RRC '08) (2022-2024)[6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Reconstructing Judaism". www.reconstructingjudaism.org. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
- ^ "Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations". www.conferenceofpresidents.org. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Radin, Charles A. (2007-03-13). "First openly gay rabbi elected leader". The Boston Globe.
- ^ "Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association - Board Members". Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
External links
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