Mazel Tov! Alysa Stanton Makes History
When Alysa Stanton is ordained by HUC-JIR on June 6th, 2009 she will become history's first female African-American rabbi.
"Ten years ago, if someone said I was going to be a rabbi, I would have laughed," Stanton muses, "Me, a spiritual leader?" But this single mother who converted to Judaism 20 years ago is already changing the face of the Jewish people. After her graduation from HUC-JIR, the rabbinical school of the Reform Jewish movement, she will join the predominately white community of Congregation Bayt Shalom in Greenville, North Carolina. "My goals as a rabbi are to break down barriers, build bridges and provide hope," she tells CNN, "I look forward to being the spiritual leader of an inclusive sacred community that welcomes and engages all."
Stanton is an inspirational example of the growing diversity of the Jewish community. She also proves that anything is possible when you have faith in yourself and take steps to make your aspirations a reality. Raised in a Pentecostal home, Stanton's friends and family didn't understand why she wanted to convert to Judaism. "My Christian friends disowned me and Jews questioned," she recalls. Nevertheless, she stuck to her beliefs and as a result many of her detractors are now her most ardent supporters. When she received her acceptance letter from HUC-JIR she drove to the Pentecostal church where her mother was playing piano for the choir and shared the big news. The response? She received a standing ovation from the choir.
I had the pleasure of seeing Rabbi Stanton a few months ago when she visited our synagogue, Temple Adath Israel, in Lexington KY. She performed her autobiographical one-woman play called “Layers”.
Every one was impressed by her and the folks at Bayt Shalom will love her.
I don’t mean this lady any harm or disrespect,but to say “mazal-tov ” to this is like partying on Tish’a B’Av. The Torah demands certain requirements and those must be met,as per G-D’s command to Moses -Moshe Rabeinu-no more,no less. Women cannot be “rabbis”; and following a path that does not conform to the standards of the Torah is not Judaism. It is NOT G-D’s Word so this is all a hoax. It’s like giving a license to practice medicine to someone who read a novel about a doctor. One cannot be a rabbi without studying the Torah,the Talmud and the Code of Law; and scrupulously following those laws.
I am so moved by this article, and I don’t know why. I have always preferred male rabbis, but something about this woman, giving up her religious beliefs to become a Jew, and then to become a spiritual leader, AND being black, well, it just really moved me. I hope to meet her someday.
Shalom; What a Wonderfull mix,Her Roots, represent the most Oppressed Peoples of the last three Millenia! We can argue about Pedigree,for ever,and the World’s People, will be that much further apart and that much more Ignorant!! Almighty G-d works in many,many ways,some We are unable to understand at first! Five years ago,I could have gone into Las Vegas,and I would have got 10 to one odds! that the next President of the U.S.A. would be a African American,TEN to ONE!! What more is there to say???? Mazol Tov!! Rabbi Alysa Stanton,Mazol Tov!! N.F. Vancouver.
Mazel tov! Mazel tov! Mazel tov!!!!!!
Welcome Ms Stanton to a branch of Judaism that cares more about what’s in your heart than what you look like or what sex you happen to have been born.
Welcome, Rabbi Stanton! Judaism needs more people like you. You fill me with hope and pride. I welcome you into our family. We are far better because of you. G-d bless you.
I look forward to hearing many great things about you. You will be a great teacher to us all.
Egaletine services mean a closer, humanistic/spiritual experience that brings me closer to the G-D of my understanding, which is Ashem.
My rabbi of Allentown, PA as a member/leader of many groups,is Rabbi Tamira Everett.
To Rephoel ben Yaakov, and I don’t mean you any harm or disrespect, but as my Omma used to say, if you do not have anything positive to say you should not say anything at all. In addition, few readers on this service will agree with your far conservative viewpoints. So please preach to your own choir, and not to ours.