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Consider the acceptance of feminist critiques of
religion and the opportunity for gifted women to
serve as Jewish religious leaders. HUC-JIR was the
first Jewish seminary in history to celebrate the reg-
ular ordination of female rabbis, beginning in 1972
with Rabbi Sally Priesand, a dear friend and one
of my rabbis growing up. We were the first to inte-
grate feminist readings of text and traditions into
our intellectual framework. Now, all Movements
do it, or are, at least, beginning to consider doing it.
When I think of our many alumnae who serve with
such distinction, or of the nearly 2000 Orthodox
Jewish Feminists who gather each year to consider
how Orthodox Judaism might better incorporate
feminist concerns into their Movement, I know
the impact we have had and we can have.
Consider the many Jewish social justice organi-
zations, whether local or national; think of the
camps, youth groups, and Israel programs on the
national Jewish youth scene; and the innovative
educational initiatives that abound in Jewish life
today. The truth is, our Movement has led this in-
vigorating proliferation of possibilities, and inspired
the Jewish world to be more creative, more dynam-
ic, and more open to innovation than ever before.
When I think of what happens in each of these
arenas around the world every minute of every day,
I know the impact we have had and we can have.
All this must also continue to be our mission.
And there remains much to do. First and foremost,
HUC-JIR, with its partners in the ReformMovement
and across the Jewish polity, must become the
center of a new focus on helping Jews not just engage
with but learn about our tradition. Reform Jewish
learning must move from pleasant and, at times,
superficial, to real awareness of the extraordinary
gifts that lie at the heart of our tradition. In
every congregation and school, we have a core
of committed learners who drink deeply from the
wellsprings of our faith, guided by our students
and alumni. But there are far too many Jews who
no longer engage regularly enough to reach the
sort of learning that can help them understand
that commitment to Jewish study and Jewish life
is a choice of integrity, value, and meaning.
Our cherished Jewish tradition can inform both
life’s high points and its lows, it can call us to be
better citizens of our world, it can respond to our
need for spirituality and comfort, for intellectual
stimulation and community. It can offer guidance
for so many of the ethical and practical decisions
that we face every day. But it can’t offer any of this
if we are too distracted to learn and no one really
knows much about it. I liken this situation to one
in which the most beautiful gift sits unopened on
a shelf – everyone can see that the wrapping is
absolutely gorgeous, the ribbon sparkles and shines
against the paper, we know that something lovely
“
Our Movement has led the invigorating
proliferation of possibilities and inspired
the Jewish world to be more creative, more
dynamic, and more open to innovation
than ever before.”
Rabbi David Ellenson,
past President, transmitting
HUC-JIR’s “Weinberg
Torah,” rescued during
the Holocaust, to his
successor, Rabbi Panken.
Rabbi Lawrence Hoffman blessing Rabbi Panken and his family.