Sara Hurwitz

Sara Hurwitz
Rabba Sara Hurwitz
Position Rabba
Synagogue Hebrew Institute of Riverdale
Position Dean
Yeshiva Yeshivat Maharat
Personal details
Born Johannesburg, South Africa[1]
Denomination Orthodox
Spouse Josh Abraham[1]
Children Yonah, Zacaharya and David[1]
Semicha Rabbi Avi Weiss

Sara Hurwitz is a Modern Orthodox Jewish spiritual leader who received ordination from Rabbi Avi Weiss. She is the "Rabba" at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale in Riverdale, New York[2] and the dean of Yeshivat Maharat in Riverdale, New York.[3]

Hurwitz was born in South Africa.[4] She graduated from Barnard College and is the curricular researcher and writer for JOFA's Gender and Orthodoxy Curriculum Project.[5]

Contents

Title

In June 2009, Weiss ordained Sara Hurwitz with the title "Maharat" (an acronym of manhiga hilkhatit rukhanit Toranit[6]) rather than "Rabbi".[4][7] In February 2010, Weiss announced that he was changing Maharat to a more familiar-sounding title "Rabba".[8] The goal of this shift was to clarify Hurwitz's position as a full member of the HIR rabbinic staff. The change was criticised by both Agudath Yisrael and the Rabbinical Council of America. Weiss announced amidst criticism that the term "Rabba" would not be used anymore for his future students. Hurwitz will continue to use the title Rabba and is considered by some to be the first Orthodox woman ordained in the United States.[9]

See also

Avi Weiss

References

Further reading

External links