This weekend, Lower Merion’s Rabbanit Leah Sarna will be installed as the first senior rabbinic leader of Kehillat Sha’arei Orah, an Orthodox synagogue in Bala Cynwyd, reports Rabba Sara Hurwitz for The Jerusalem Post.
The milestone is not only a celebration for her local community but also a groundbreaking achievement for Orthodox women everywhere.
Since Yeshivat Maharat began ordaining Orthodox women in 2009, its graduates have faced significant barriers in pursuing senior rabbinic roles. Despite rigorous training, they encountered a persistent glass ceiling, often limited to junior positions without opportunities for advancement. Many cited systemic obstacles, such as funding limitations and the claim that “the community is not yet ready,” as reasons for stunted progress.
This struggle mirrors the experiences of female rabbis in other Jewish denominations. When Sally Priesand became the first woman ordained as a rabbi in the Reform movement in 1972, she faced widespread resistance and unequal opportunities. Decades later, gender disparities in leadership roles and pay persist in both Reform and Conservative movements.
Despite these challenges, progress is evident. Twelve Yeshivat Maharat alumnae now serve in senior positions, including six who founded communities worldwide. Rabbanit Sarna’s installation demonstrates the potential of Orthodox women as rabbinic leaders.
Read more about Rabbanit Leah Sarna in The Jerusalem Post.
