Rabbi Sally J. Priesand

Rabbi Sally J. Priesand, America’s first female rabbi, was ordained on June 3, 1972, by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, OH. She served as Rabbi of Monmouth Reform Temple in Tinton Falls, NJ, from 1981-2006. Upon her retirement, she became Rabbi Emerita. In her local community, she continues to serve as President of Interfaith Neighbors, an organization whose primary purpose is to provide rental assistance to the working poor.  

sally preisand
Ten Minutes of Torah

The More Torah, The More Life

Rabbi Sally J. Priesand
When I became rabbi of Monmouth Reform Temple in Tinton Falls, NJ, I quickly discovered that some people in our community thought we were a church. Mail was addressed to “Monmouth Reformed Temple,” and letters were addressed “Dear Pastor.”