Story Archive Project

Project Scope

What is the Story Archive Project?

“An important series of stories…” Rabbi Brad Artson, Dean, Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies

Story Archive of Women Rabbis is an all-digital, web-based archive that collects, preserves, and makes accessible the poignant stories, thought-provoking insights and spiritual points-of-view of women rabbis who have broken through the stained-glass ceiling and are changing Judaism forever.

Why is this project important?

“This archive is a gift to the Jewish people.”  Joshua Holo, Dean, Hebrew Union College

For over 3200 years men have served as spiritual leaders in Judaism. Forty years ago all that changed when the first woman was officially ordained as rabbi.

In the years since, an unprecedented revolution of theology, prayer and text interpretation has ensued. But like every generation that lives through a major paradigm shift, we cannot possibly know or predict the full impact of this cultural transformation in our lifetime.

Jewish Women’s Theatre is committed to recording the stories of the women who have joined men as spiritual leaders in Judaism. These extraordinary women and their extraordinary lives will be the focus of  the archive.  The legacy of our generation is to make sure the struggles and triumphs of this very select group of trailblazing women are preserved and remembered for future generations.

Development of Story Archive

“We are pleased to be listed as a sponsor of this great project” Rabbi Dan Ehrenkrantz, President, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College

History has been made. To date, more than 125 interviews have been collected from women rabbis from around the world (including France, Germany, Poland, Switzerland and Israel). This is nearly 15% of the female rabbi population. The visual history of these women will be archived on a website which is currently in development. All denominations are represented. Story topics include–views of God, holy moments, challenges from the early days of women in the rabbinate, the joys of Judaism, favorite text in torah, and meaningful rituals in everyday lives.

Funds are  needed to launch this project and bring it to scale. Many of the first generation women rabbis are beginning to retire. We must not miss this opportunity to collect their historic stories and preserve them.

Donate Now. This project is a gift to posterity.  Give generously.