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A leader in the Reform Judaism movement, Rabbi Sally J. Priesand is America's first female Rabbi. She was ordained by Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Reform movement generally encourages complete gender equality in religious rituals, study, and observance; however, very few women lead large congregations, and many of the highest-ranking positions within the Reform movement continue to be held by men. The origins of the reform movement date back to 19th century Germany, and coincide with the Jewish Emancipation -- the abolition of discriminatory laws that applied to Jews in Europe during this period. Today, Reform Judaism is the largest denomination of the Jewish faith in America. In the U.K. and Israel, the movements known as Liberal and Progressive Judaism, respectively, closely resemble the Reform movement in America. Rabbi Priesand retired in July 2006 after thirty years as a congregational leader in New York and New Jersey.
Credit: AP/John Baer
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