A new voice among Jewish leaders. Newton, Mass. woman is 1st gay to lead rabbis assembly

[Ian David]

By Charles A. Radin, Globe Staff | March 14, 2007

A West Newton rabbi who is deeply involved in advocacy of economic justice in the United States and peace in the Middle East became yesterday the first openly lesbian or gay person to head a rabbinical assembly.



Rabbi Toba Spitzer of Congregation Dorshei Tzedek was elected president of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Assembly at the group's annual convention, in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Reconstructionism is the smallest and youngest of modern Judaism's four major movements. About 165,000 of the approximately 5.5 million Jews in North America identify as Reconstructionists.

Despite their numbers, Reconstructionists are influential among North American Jews, particularly in the Reform movement, which with 39 percent of North American Jews is the largest branch on the continent.

"History has shown that the Reconstructionist movement is in the vanguard of change and that what we do, others follow," Spitzer said in a telephone interview. "We were first to ordain gay and lesbian rabbis, first to affirm commitment ceremonies.

More:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2007/03/14/a_new_voice_among_jewish_leaders/?rss_id=Boston+Globe+--+City%2FRegion+News

[MannyGoldstein]

1. Go Newton!

I love my city!

[struggle4progress]

2. dupe

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=214x115801