Lesbian Rabbis: The First Generation

The office of rabbi is the most visible symbol of power and prestige in Jewish communities. Rabbis both interpret to their congregations the reQuirements of Jewish life and instruct congregants in how best to live this life. Yet the rabbis themselves do not yet reflect the diversity of North American Jews. Since the first women rabbis were ordained in 1972, one of the four major branches of Judaism, the Orthodox, still does not admit women to the rabbinate.Lesbian Rabbis: The First Generation documents a monumental change in Jewish life as eighteen lesbian rabbis reflect on their experiences as trailblazers in Judaism's journey into an increasingly multicultural world. In remarkably frank and revealing essays, the contributors discuss their decisions to become rabbis, and describe their experiences both in school and in their rabbinical posts. They also reflect on the dilemma whether to conceal or reveal their sexual identities to their congregants and superiors, or to serve specifically gay and lesbian congregations. The contributors consider the tensions between lesbian identity and Jewish identity, and inquire whether there are particularly "lesbian" readings of traditional texts. These essays also ask how the language of Jewish tradition touches the lives of lesbians and how lesbianism challenges traditional notions of the Jewish family.Shirley Idelson is the author of 'Lesbian Rabbis: The First Generation', published 2001 under ISBN 9780813529158 and ISBN 0813529158.