Religious leadership has long been a male-dominated sphere, shaping traditions and guiding faith communities. However, a shift has begun— women are breaking barriers, challenging norms, and redefining religious leadership.
In honor of the upcoming International Women’s Day, the latest webinar was dedicated to pioneering women in the field of religion:
Rabbi Naamah Kelman is the first woman ordained as rabbi in Israel.
Rev. Sally Azar is the first woman ordained to the priesthood in the Holy Land.
Unfortunately, Judge Hana Mansour-Khatib was unable to join us due to a family bereavement. We send her our condolences and hope to find another opportunity to host her on a different topic.
Led by Dr. Sarah Bernstein, the discussion explored the role of these women in religious society and the resistance they encountered as religious leaders. The conversation led to fascinating insights and connections, both across the different fields and within each community.
In this webinar, our speakers shared their personal journeys, the challenges they faced stepping into roles historically reserved for men, and how their leadership is transforming faith communities today. Their journeys represent not only the striving for gender equality but also the ongoing debate about the place of women in societies where religion, politics, and tradition are deeply intertwined.
– What forms of resistance do women religious leaders encounter, and how can they be overcome?
– How might women’s religious leadership inform perspectives on peacebuilding and dialogue in Israeli-Palestinian contexts?
– Do women religious leaders have a special role to play in de-escalating conflict and fostering reconciliation?
Monday | February 26
10:00am Pacific |1:00pm Eastern | 7:00pm Central Europe | 8:00pm Jerusalem
