On this day, 60 years ago in 1950 Paula Ackerman became the first woman in the United States to lead a Jewish congregation in the United States.
When her husband Rabbi William Ackerman died November 30, 1950 she took up the post of leading her husband's congregation, Temple Beth Israel in Meridian, Mississippi.
She served in this role until 1953, never being ordained or going through the traditional school experience of one who leads a Jewish congregation.
Ackerman again later in her life would serve for 9 months in her home town of Pensacola, Florida.
Ideas for blogging:
1. What's your thoughts on women in church leadership?
2. How has your thoughts changed or stayed the same in your lifetime?
3. How do gender roles positively or negatively impact spiritual life?
4. What female spiritual leader do you find inspiring (examples could be: Joan of Arc, Joni Earekson Tada, Beth Moore, Elizabeth Dole, Selina countess of Huntingdon, Sarah Crosby, Catherine Booth, Lottie Moon, Ester Johns, Corrie Ten Boom, Anna Frank, Golda Meir).
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