Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association Explained

The Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association (RRA) founded in 1974, is the professional association of rabbis affiliated with Reconstructionist Judaism.^[1] It has approximately 300 members, most of whom are graduates of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College (RRC) in Wyncote, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. The RRA is a member of a number of national coalitions including the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.^[2] Its first director was Rabbi Richard Hirsh who was hired in 1984 to work five hours/week when he was dean of admissions at RRC.^[3]

From 1987 to 1989, Rabbi Joy Levitt was the first female president of the RRA.^[4]

In 2007, Rabbi Toba Spitzer became the first openly lesbian or gay person chosen to head a rabbinical association in the United States when she was elected president of the RRA.^[5]

Past presidents

• Rabbi David Brusin (RRC '74) (1974-1976)
• Rabbi Arnold Rachlis (RRC '75) (1976-1978)
• Rabbi Dennis C. Sasso (RRC '74) (1978-1980)
• Rabbi Elliot Skiddell (RRC '80) (1980-1983)
• Rabbi Steven Sager (RRC '78) (1983-1985)
• Rabbi Ira Schiffer (RRC '81) (1985-1987)
• Rabbi Joy Levitt (RRC '81) (1987-1989)
• Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso (RRC '74) (1989-1991)
• Rabbi Lee Friedlander (RRC '75) (1991-1993)
• Rabbi Ron Aigen (RRC '76) (1993-1995)
• Rabbi Michael Cohen (RRC '90) (1995-1996)
• Rabbi Barbara Penzner (RRC '87) (1996-1999)
• Rabbi Dan Ehrenkrantz (RRC '89))1999-2001)
• Rabbi Nancy Fuchs Kreimer (RRC '82) (2001-2003)
• Rabbi Amy Small (RRC '87) (2003-2005)
• Rabbi Brant Rosen (RRC '92) (2005-2007)
• Rabbi Toba Spitzer (RRC '97) (2007-2009)
• Rabbi Yael Ridberg (RRC '97) (2009-2011)
• Rabbi Fredi Cooper (RRC '00) (2011-2013)
• Rabbi Jason Klein (RRC '02) (2013-2015)
• Rabbi Nina H. Mandel (RRC '03) (2015-2017)
• Rabbi Elliott Tepperman (RRC '02) (2020-2022)
• Rabbi James Greene (RRC '08) (2022-2024)^[6]

See also

• Reconstructionist Rabbinical College
• Reconstructionist Judaism

External links

• Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association web site
• The Reconstructionist Journal

Notes and References

1. Web site: Reconstructing Judaism . July 16, 2024 . www.reconstructingjudaism.org .
2. Web site: Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations . July 16, 2024 . www.conferenceofpresidents.org .
3. News: A Place at the Table: Rabbi/executive returns to head the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association . Silverstein . Marilyn . . August 27, 1998 . 18 . .
4. Book: Academic Dean and Professor of Church History Emeritae Rosemary Skinner Keller. Rosemary Radford Ruether. Rosemary Radford Ruether. Marie Cantlon. Encyclopedia of Women and Religion in North America: Native American creation stories. 2006. Indiana University Press. 0-253-34687-8. 553–.
5. News: First openly gay rabbi elected leader . Charles A. . Radin . The Boston Globe. 2007-03-13.
6. Web site: Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association - Board Members . Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association . 15 June 2020.