The First Fifty Years: A Jubilee in Prose and Poetry Honoring Women Rabbis - Study and Discussion Guide

The ordination of Rabbi Sally J. Priesand in 1972 was a watershed moment in Jewish history. In The First Fifty Years: A Jubilee in Prose and Poetry Honoring Women Rabbis, contributors from across the Jewish and gender spectrums reflect on the meaning of this moment and the ensuing decades, both personally and for the Jewish community. In short pieces of new prose, authors—many of them pioneering rabbis—share stories, insights, analysis, and celebrations of women in the rabbinate. These are intertwined with a wealth of poetry that poignantly captures the spirit of this anniversary. The volume is a deep, heartfelt tribute to women rabbis and their indelible impact on all of us.

This study guide highlights five main themes that run throughout the volume: (1) The women and other marginalized Jews who were excluded; (2) the ongoing revolution that began when Rabbi Sally J. Priesand was ordained in 1972; (3) the power and impact of having diverse role models and leadership in the Jewish community; (4) the doors that have opened to other marginalized groups since women started being ordained; and (5) the work that still remains to ensure full inclusion, equality, and equity for all Jews. The questions in this guide bring different poems and reflections into conversation with one another, with the hope that group conversations deepen the themes in the book and those delineated above.