15 Women Who Shaped Reform Jewish Life

Reform Judaism has long been a Movement where egalitarian values and gender equity are central pillars, won through the courage, vision, and leadership of remarkable women. Whether breaking barriers in religious leadership or advocating for justice and inclusion, these 15 women created paths that transformed Jewish life in North America, Israel, and beyond.

Rabbi Sally Priesand: the First Woman Rabbi in North America 

In 1972, Sally Priesand was ordained by Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR), becoming the first woman rabbi in the United States and North America and opening the rabbinate to generations of women.

Cantor Barbara Ostfeld: the First Woman Cantor

Barbara Ostfeld was ordained in 1975 as the first woman cantor in Jewish history, ushering in an era where women's voices would lead congregations. Her pioneering role helped create a cantorate that now includes hundreds of women across the Reform Movement.

Tiffany Haddish: A Public Journey into Judaism

Comedian, Emmy-winning actress, and bestselling author Tiffany Haddish has become a major voice in entertainment. She has spoken publicly about claiming and embracing her Jewish heritage as an adult and celebrating her bat mitzvah at age 40 in 2019 with Rabbi Susan Silverman. Her story is a visible example of Jewish 'becoming' in the Reform Movement.

Dr. Davia Loren: Camp Leader and First Openly Transgender URJ Board Member

Dr. Davia Loren is a pediatrician, former medical director at URJ Camp Kalsman, and associate professor at the University of Washington. She served as the first openly transgender member on the URJ North American Board from 2019-2024 and helped develop URJ Camp Kalsman's inclusion program. She is an advocate for gender diversity in both Jewish and secular contexts and has contributed to research on gender-affirming care for transgender and gender-diverse youth. 

Rabbi Rebecca Dubowe: First Deaf Reform Rabbi and Accessibility Advocate

Rabbi Rebecca Dubowe, ordained in 1993 at HUC-JIR, is the first Deaf woman ordained as a Reform rabbi. A passionate educator and community leader, she has worked to expand accessibility within Jewish life, modeling how congregations can become spaces of belonging for Deaf and hard-of-hearing Jews.

Rabbi Janet Marder: First Woman President of the CCAR

In 2003, Rabbi Janet Marder became the first woman president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR), making her the first woman to lead a major co-ed rabbinic organization in the U.S. Her leadership highlighted women's expanding roles in Jewish institutional life.

Rabbi Kinneret Shiryon: Israeli Community Trailblazer

Rabbi Kinneret Shiryon, ordained in 1981 at HUC-JIR, was the first woman to serve as a community rabbi in Israel. She helped found Kehillat Yozma in Modi'in, the first non-Orthodox congregation in Israel to receive state funding, and continues to be a powerful voice for liberal Judaism in Israeli society.

Sheryl Sandberg: Reform Roots and Global Leadership

Sheryl Sandberg, former COO of Meta (Facebook) and author of "Lean In," grew up in a Reform Jewish family, camping at URJ Camp Coleman. Her formative experiences in Reform Jewish spaces helped shape her values of community, empowerment, and ethical responsibility.

Rabbi Naamah Kelman: First Woman Rabbi Ordained in Israel

Rabbi Naamah Kelman was ordained on Israeli soil in 1992, the first woman to do so through an Israeli Reform seminary. She later became the first female dean of HUC-JIR's Taube Family Campus in Jerusalem, dramatically expanding pluralistic Jewish education and leadership in the Jewish state.

Rabbi Denise L. Eger: First Openly LGBTQ+ CCAR President

Rabbi Denise L. Eger is a leader in LGBTQ+ inclusion and social justice. In 2015, she became the first openly LGBTQ+ president of the CCAR, leading the Reform rabbinate into broader advocacy for equality. She is also the founding rabbi of Congregation Kol Ami in West Hollywood and a leader in the Jewish LGBTQ+ community.

Rabbi Angela Buchdahl: A First in American Jewish Leadership 

Rabbi Angela Buchdahl made history as the first Asian American rabbi and the first woman to serve as senior rabbi of Central Synagogue in New York City. The child of a Korean mother and Jewish father, Buchdahl has become a leading voice on diversity and belonging, reshaping how American Jews think about identity and inclusion.

Rabbi Mary L. Zamore: Executive Director, Women's Rabbinic Network 

As executive director of the Women's Rabbinic Network (an organization supporting Reform women rabbis and advocating for equity within the rabbinate and Jewish life), Rabbi Mary L. Zamore has long advocated for reforms addressing gender disparities within the Reform Movement.

Rabbi Dr. Andrea L. Weiss, z"l: Scholar and First Female Provost of HUC-JIR 

An esteemed biblical scholar, Rabbi Dr. Andrea L. Weiss, z"l, became the first woman provost of HUC-JIR, shaping rabbinic and academic leadership. She co-edited "The Torah: A Women's Commentary" and "American Values, Religious Voices," bringing women's voices into key Jewish texts and educational frameworks.

Rabbi Madeline Cooper: Disability Justice and Inclusive Innovation 

Rabbi Madeline Cooper is known for her groundbreaking work in accessibility and disability justice. As director of Learning and Practice at Atra: Center for Rabbinic Innovation, she advocates for inclusive communities and models disability awareness as a core value of Jewish life.

Justice Sandra Chapnik: Canadian Trailblazer

Justice Sandra Chapnik is a retired judge of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and a leader in advancing gender equality in law and public life. Over a 24-year judicial career, Chapnik authored influential decisions and served in senior leadership roles within Canada's legal community. A longtime member and board leader of Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto - one of Canada's flagship Reform congregations - she has been deeply engaged in Jewish communal life. In 2021, she was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in recognition of her contributions to justice, women's leadership, and community service.

Whether stepping onto a bimah or into a boardroom, these trailblazers have expanded what it means to be a woman in Jewish leadership.