First Female Orthodox Rabbi Hired in a Jerusalem Synagogue

A prominent modern Orthodox synagogue in Jerusalem, the Ramban synagogue, has appointed a woman to serve as spiritual leader alongside the current leader, Rabbi Benny Lau, known for being a maverick. Karmit Feintuch has been teaching Jewish studies for many years, and will use the title “rabbanit.” She is believed to be the first woman communal leaders in a synagogue in Israel. Several other women have been ordained as Orthodox rabbis in Jerusalem, but they are not serving as rabbis in synagogues. While Reform and Conservative women have been serving for decades, the Orthodox movement is still deeply divided on the issue. The Rabbinical Council of America (RCA), the largest rabbinical association of Modern Orthodox rabbis in the US, has banned member rabbis from ordaining women as rabbis or hiring them. Rabbi Lau in Jerusalem said Rabbanit Feintuch will enrich the synagogue’s communal life and help it to grow.