Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Honors Rabbi Naamah Kelman ’92, Former Dean of the Jerusalem Campus

This week, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion honored the legacy of Rabbi Naamah Kelman '92, former dean of the Taube Family Campus in Jerusalem, during the event "A Time to Believe," a day dedicated to celebrating her pioneering career. The first woman to be ordained as a rabbi in Israel, Rabbi Kelman has been a trailblazer for the Jewish world, empowering generations of leaders and advancing pluralism, social justice, and interfaith collaboration.

The day of learning and celebration featured recollections and wishes from HUC-JIR President Andrew Rehfeld, Ph.D., Rabbi Talia Avnon-Benveniste, Director of the Israel Rabbinical Program (IRP), Elan Ezrahi, Ph.D., and Nachman Shai, Ph.D., Dean of the Jerusalem campus, along with HUC-JIR faculty and alumni.

"Rabbi Kelman is a leader of vision and valor who has opened the way for pluralism, diversity, and opportunity on our Taube Family Campus in Jerusalem," Rehfeld said. "Her advocacy for Reform Judaism, the Israeli Jewish Renaissance Movement, and human rights is a beacon of light in Israeli society."

Rehfeld pointed out that Rabbi Kelman "carries a precious legacy as the descendent of 10 generations of rabbis," and he said it was HUC-JIR's honor to ordain her as the first Israeli woman to be ordained in Israel. "I and so many others have been inspired by her vital role as a 'spiritual feminist' and ardent advocate for women's rights and religious pluralism. Her stellar example has encouraged Israeli women to serve as rabbis, cantors, pastoral counselors, and educators and to build communities and congregations throughout the State of Israel."

Addressing Kelman directly, IRP Director Avnon-Benveniste said, "Rabbi Naamah, you have opened a window for us, and since then, many women have stood before the ark, forming a magnificent rainbow of colors. After you rose like Miriam, with the defiance that fought against what you inherited and created a new legacy. And like Miriam, uplifting all women and all people in a great song of joy, and hallelujah, and with hope."

In addition to her work as former dean in Jerusalem, Kelman also served as HUC-JIR's Director of Educational Initiatives and Director of the Year-In-Israel Program. She strengthened the training of Israeli rabbinical students, and the connections between U.S. rabbinical, cantorial, and education students to Israel during their required first year of study in Jerusalem. She also worked to strengthen interfaith relations and foster tolerance among Jewish, Muslim, and Christian educators and their students in Jerusalem. Her leadership also extends beyond HUC-JIR to the Board of Rabbis for Human Rights, the Tali Education Fund, and PANIM.

Kelman said "the day was a much-needed gathering to affirm, celebrate, inspire and thank the work of Israeli rabbis in general and woman rabbis in particular. After such a terrifying and difficult year, our students and alumni came together to hug, laugh, cry, and recharge for the future." Prayers and panels also featured alumni and IRP students including Rabbi Levi Weiman-Kelman, Rabbi Leora Ezrachi-vered, Rabbi Ayala Ronen Samuels, Rabbi Debi Shoua-Haim, Rabbi Kineret Shiryon, Rabbi Oshrat Morag, Smadar Bilik, Rabbi Galit Cohen-kedem, Rabbi Ofek Meir, Rabbi Oded Mazor, Rabbi Mira Regev, Dr. Elan Ezrahi, Rabbi Rinat Tzfania, Rabbi Miriam Klimova, and Ofer Tzizik, among others. The celebration of Rabbi Kelman's legacy closed with a moving musical performance by Rabbi Cantor Shani Ben Or and Rabbi Uri Kroizer.

Shai, who was appointed this year to succeed Kelman as Dean of the Jerusalem campus, said that his predecessor had left him "a strong system that could easily be disrupted," adding, "I will do my best not to disrupt it completely. But when necessary, I will do everything I can to move it forward. I'm grateful to you for accompanying me with wise counsel and a smile."

Kelman responded in her own remarks by telling those assembled that, in her new chapter, "I intend to continue working to empower female rabbinic leadership and to strengthen Reform Judaism and the field of Jewish renewal. Together, may we continue to make change, repair, and bring healing to the people of Israel, and to the State of Israel."

Throughout her time at HUC-JIR, Rehfeld said, "Rabbi Kelman has been guided by her commitment to building mutual respect, love for the people Israel, and passionate commitment to a Judaism that is responsive to contemporary Israeli life. In this terribly difficult time of war and trauma, I and the entire HUC-JIR community thank her for her wisdom, guidance, and inspiring leadership as a source of resilience, healing, and hope for a better future."