Academic Affiliation: Associate Professor of Jewish Studies at Rutgers University
Title: “Pastoral-Rabbi: How Orthodox Women Rabbis are Feminizing the Orthodox Rabbinate”
Abstract:
As the first Orthodox seminary to ordain women as rabbis, Yeshivat Maharat places significant emphasis on pastoral care in their educational curriculum, intertwining it with text-based studies. This differs from most other Orthodox rabbinical schools, which have typically focused solely on halakhic (Jewish legal) knowledge. Graduates of Yeshivat Maharat credit their pastoral training as essential to their role as rabbis, emphasizing the importance of providing emotional and psychological support to congregants during life cycle events. Notably, pastoral care is integrated into their approach to answering halakhic questions, focusing on understanding the underlying social-emotional needs of the individual seeking guidance. This paper analyzes this approach to halakhic guidance as an example of the feminization of the Orthodox rabbinate. By integrating pastoral care into their approach to halakhic decision-making, they aim to navigate the shifting landscape of authority within the Orthodox community while embracing a democratic ethos in their interactions with congregants. Through this lens, pastoral care emerges as a vital component in shaping the future of the Orthodox rabbinate, as it adapts to meet the changing needs and expectations of the community.