News

Female Orthodox Leaders: New and Old

Welcome Women: The first female graduates of an Orthodox rabbinic school are being welcomed with open arms ? by some. Image by COURTESY OF YESHIVAT MAHARAT

In this week’s Reporters Roundtable podcast, host Josh Nathan-Kazis is joined by Forward intern Anne Cohen to discuss the recent graduation of the first class of maharat — orthodox female religious leaders. Then, Yoel Matveev of the Forverts drops by to give a fascinating history of the radical orthodox women who have lead congregations in the past.

A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO