by Amy Stone
New York’s Jewish Theological Seminary graduates its first openly lesbian rabbi.
This May, under a great white tent filling the courtyard, the Jewish Theological Seminary, Conservative Judaism’s mothership, ordained Rachel Isaacs, the Seminary’s first openly gay rabbinical student.. The JTS policy barring gays and lesbians from applying to the rabbinical school became history. No mention was made of this milestone by JTS Chancellor Arnold Eisen or Rabbinical School Dean Daniel Nevins as they addressed graduates, families and friends. The one hint was the psalm Rachel Isaacs chose for her personal notes in the event program: “God is close to the broken-hearted and saves those whose spirits are oppressed.”
by Amy Stone
Rachel Isaacs knew by the age of 13 she wanted to be a rabbi. Awareness of her sexuality came later.