Analia Bortz: Scholar Of The Human
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
Two weeks into medical school at the University of Buenos Aires, Analia Bortz realized she wanted to be a rabbi. “I went to the dean and said, ‘We’re learning about the liver, the heart and the lymph nodes. When do we learn about the human?’” she said.
The dean told her that the big questions about human nature and spirituality in medicine wouldn’t be addressed until fourth year. Bortz, who was nominated for the Forward 50 by a reader, decided that was too long of a wait, and began sitting in on classes at the Latin American rabbinical seminary. In 1994, four years after completing her medical degree, was ordained as South America’s first female rabbi.
Since then, Bortz, now 52, has done clinical work in fertility, lectured in bioethics and Jewish philosophy, and, in 2003, she and her husband, Rabbi Mario Karpuj, founded Congregation Or Hadash, outside of Atlanta. Next year, they plan to make aliyah.
Analia Bortz
Breakfast: A double espresso with half and half.
What’s the last thing you listened to on your phone? “Reshet Osim Historia”
Earliest Jewish memory: My parents (both medical doctors) exercising Tikkun olam. Every Sunday, they would teach us to sort out medicines (first aid, antibiotics, prednisone, etc), we would pack them and distribute them to homeless shelters, orphanages, and Senior homes. My parents’ religious practice was tikkun olam and that constituted our fondest Jewish memories.
Heroes: My husband, Mario Karpuj, for teaching me patience and kindness. My daughters, Tamar and Adina, for teaching me stand up for what is right and spread wings to take risks. My spiritual inspiring Rabbi, David Hartman z’l and my parents for teaching me to find God’s presence in every human being.
2019 memory: At our daughter’s wedding in August, during the Tish, watching her face glowing with happiness as the groom approached her while dancing and singing, I saw,I heard and I touched the wings of the shechina. That was certainly a magical moment.
Favorite thing about being Jewish: EVERYTHING!!!
What app can you not live without? WhatsApp. After davening Shacharit and thanking God for the miracle of life, I thank Steve Jobs for allowing me to communicate with my daughter in Jerusalem and my daughter in N.Y. by clicking on their names. WhatsApp weaves ourselves and helps me to start my day once I listen to their voices.
Weekend ritual: Waking up my husband of 30 years with the song “Shabbat is here…I’m so happy that Shabbat is here” while I bring him a cup of coffee.
Read more
The Atlanta Jewish Times’ story on Rabbi Dr. Bortz’s spiritual practice of tallit-weaving.
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