One year after the Conservative movement ordained its first female rabbi in Israel, the association of Conservative rabbis here has elected a woman, Gila Dror, as its chairperson.
Dror, a divorcee and mother of three, was born in Petach Tikvah and raised in an Orthodox home.
Speaking on Israel Radio, she termed her election “a revolution, a step forward. This is the first time, as far as I am aware, that a woman will be heading a rabbinical body anywhere.”
There are 140 Conservative rabbis in Israel, she said, adding that she did not consider her election as a demonstration or a provocation. “I have worked in Israel for four years and worked with all my heart for the association,” she said.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.