ABC News:
Growing up in a black, Pentecostal family in Cleveland, Alysa Stanton never imagined the day when she would be preparing to be ordained as a Jewish rabbi.
But that day will come June 6 for the single mother who will be ordained by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, becoming the first African-American female rabbi in the world.
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You gotta love it, whether you are the religious type or not.
Mazel Tov!
Tried to post a comment and don't see it. I'm adding my voice to those who want the headline changed to reflect reality. Hopefully that will soon be done.
When they ordain a rabbi as a black woman, that will be news.
indeed.
Mazel tov to Rabbi Alyssa! And to the Huff Post headline writer: why didn't you copy verbatim the headline from ABC News, which said that Rabbi Stanton is the first FEMALE African -American rabbi! Michelle Obama's cousin, Rabbi Funnye Capers is ordained and has been for quite awhile. Unfortunately, this isn't the first time that the Huff Post headlines have been misleading--did you folks go to the New York Post School of Journalism??
Ber Mada!
They would never let her be married or buried in Israell. Its a theocracy with strict standards that she does not meet. Can you be Jewish if they won't recognize you?
Marriages performed by Reformed rabbis are not recognized in Israel. I don't think what some religious crazies say has anything to do with Judaism and Jewish law.
These religious "crazies" set the official standards for the state of Israel.
Did she indicate to you that she wants to be buried in Israel when she dies? Did you know that we have Black Jews in Africa from the beginning of Judaism? Did you know that there are some Ethiopean Jews (Falashas) in Israel (though they could be treated better)? Israel airlifted about 22, 000 of the Falashas in the 80s when they were being persecuted? Pick anothef fight, not this one!
Thank you for your comments! I am a non-converted black jew with family origins from West Africa and Morocco and I do not need Isreal to define my jewishness.
Congratulations Rabbi Stanton!!!
Mazel tov, Rabbi (to be) Stanton!
I love this story for so many reasons. Mazel tov!
There is actually a significant black jewish population in Ethiopia. She's not related to them though, she converted
She should be made aware that many orthodox do not recognize conversion. To be considered jewish your mother had to have been jewish. Also many orthodox will not recognize women rabbis either.
That's why I joined the church of the SubGenius. Slack for all
Eternal salvation or triple your money back!
1. All of Orthodox Judaism recognizes conversion, so long as it's done under the auspices of their educational system.
2. While the official Orthodox Judaism buraucracy does not ordain female rabbis, a female Orthodox rabbi was ordained, through studying individually with an Orthodox rabbi. Many rabbis are ordained this way in the smaller sects of traditional Judaism.
3. Orthodox Judaism has no greater legitimacy than either Reform or Conservative Judaism (except in Israel; and that is beginning to change). Most of us who are religious, but not Orthodox, do not really care what the Orthodox think.
Best wishes and yasher koach to Rabbi Alysa!
1. No they don't. Read your bible. there is no conversion. That's only a new testament thing.
2. Again read your bible. No women rabbis
3 Read your bible.
Good for Rabbi Stanton. Judaism is a religion; those who are part of the religion come from diverse parts of the planet and backgrounds. There is a Chinese-Jewish community in Israel. She is not a rabbi for only Ethiopians and Africans, she is a teacher for all people.
Congratulations dear lady!
Good for her....I remember being inspired by the female associate pastor of my church growing up. It didn't matter much to me that my grandfather was a pediatrician-he didn't have a whole lot of respect for women professionals. Seeing Dr. Pense on the pulpit weekly did more to convince me I could do anything for my career. I'm sure she'll serve as a similar inspiration
Brava!
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First Posted: 05-21-09 07:43 PM | Updated: 05-21-09 07:47 PM