First Orthodox Jewish women ordained as members of clergy

Sunday was a historical graduation day for the first class of Orthodox Jewish women ordained as members of the clergy.

The graduation took place at the Ramaz Upper School on East 78th Street.

Yeshivat Maharat is the first institution to train Orthodox women as spiritual leaders. The women have all followed the same course training as their male counterparts and have studied the Torah at advanced levels for years.

Maharat is a Hebrew acronym for Manhiga Hilkhatit Rukhanit Toranit, one who is teacher of Jewish law and spirituality.

The new graduates are now full spiritual, communal and legal authorities for the Orthodox community.