The first British woman has been ordained as an Orthodox rabbi The founder of a Jewish feminist alliance has become the first British woman to be ordained as an Orthodox rabbi. […]

The founder of a Jewish feminist alliance has become the first British woman to be ordained as an Orthodox rabbi.

Dina Brawer was granted the title of rabba – the feminised version of rabbi in Hebrew – after completing a four-year “semika” qualification at New York’s Yeshivat Maharat teaching institute.

Rabba Brawer, 47, who founded the UK branch of the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance in 2013, completed her studies by distance learning from her home in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire.

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This is because while the UK’s reform and liberal Jewish movements do ordain women, the same is not possible for the Orthodox community.

‘Momentous occasion’

Dr Miri Freud-Kandel, a fellow in modern Judaism at Oxford University’s Centre for Hebrew and Jewish Studies, called Rabba Brawer’s ordination a “momentous” occasion.

She said: “[Dina] has galvanised a grass roots movement, bringing together women and men, young and old, to elicit a response from the established institutions that dominate Jewish community life in the UK.

“Her efforts have shown that it is possible to bring about change and to push through barriers, and she is encouraging others to seek more involvement in all aspects of community life.”

The first public ordination of an Orthodox female rabbi outside of the UK was that of Sara Hurwitz, in 2009 in New York.

Rabba Brawer has already officiated at several bat mitzvahs and coofficiated her first wedding in Italy earlier this month.

She was also previously involved in an initiative in which 72 podcasts were recorded featuring Jewish women passionate about the study of the Torah.

Role model

Commenting on her new role, Rabba Brawer said she wanted to be a role model for girls and women who would like to become more involved in Jewish ritual, prayer and study.

She said: “Every field that has welcomed women’s contribution has benefited as a result. It is imperative that Orthodox Judaism seizes the opportunity to be likewise enriched.”

Amanda Shechter, executive director of Yeshivat Maharat, said: “We are so proud that Dina has passed her semikha examination and now joins the ranks of clergy leadership for the Jewish people.

“Dina has been a transformational Jewish leader for many years. Her attainment of semikha will enable her to extend her impact even more widely and deeply.”

The Chief Rabbi launched a programme to train women to become senior synagogue educators in 2016, from which the first cohort of 10 women graduated this month.