Sandy Eisenberg Sasso
Encyclopedia
Sandy Eisenberg Sasso is the first woman to have been ordained a rabbi
in the Reconstructionist
movement of Judaism. She was ordained by the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College
in Philadelphia, on May 19, 1974. She is also an author of many children's book on religious topics.
. In her youth, she was very involved in her Philadelphia Reform
congregation and began to consider entering the rabbinate at 16 years old, even though she knew that this role had never been open to women.
in 1968, it was assumed that women would be welcome as students. Sandy Eisenberg Sasso was accepted without debate or subsequent controversy. While in school, Sandy Eisenberg married her classmate, Dennis Sasso, making them the first rabbinical couple in Jewish history. As one of the few women rabbinical students, Sasso naturally became a leader in defining women's changing roles within Judaism.Reconstructionist women rabbis have been instrumental in the creation of rituals, stories, music, and theologies that have begun to give women's experience a voice in Judaism. Sasso holds title to many firsts as a woman rabbi, including becoming the first rabbi to become a mother when her son David was born on June 22, 1976 and again with the birth of her daughter Debora in 1979.
Reconstructionist Congregation and, since 1977, as rabbi along with her husband at the congregation Beth El Zedeck in Indianapolis
, making the Sassos the first married couple to serve the same congregation. Since Beth El Zedeck is identified with both the Reconstructionist and Conservative
movements, she also became the de facto first woman rabbi to serve a Conservative congregation.
Sasso is very active in interfaith activities and lectures at Butler University
in Indianapolis. She is the author of eleven children's books, as well as a monthly column on religion and spirituality for The Indianapolis Star
. Today, Sasso and her husband serve as the senior rabbis of Congregation Beth El Zedeck in Indianapolis.
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
in the Reconstructionist
Reconstructionist Judaism
Reconstructionist Judaism is a modern American-based Jewish movement based on the ideas of Mordecai Kaplan . The movement views Judaism as a progressively evolving civilization. It originated as a branch of Conservative Judaism, before it splintered...
movement of Judaism. She was ordained by the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College
Reconstructionist Rabbinical College
The Reconstructionist Rabbinical College , is located in Wyncote, Pennsylvania, about 10 miles north of central Philadelphia. RRC is the only seminary affiliated with Reconstructionist Judaism. It is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and...
in Philadelphia, on May 19, 1974. She is also an author of many children's book on religious topics.
Youth and Early Life
Sasso was born in 1947 in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaPennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. In her youth, she was very involved in her Philadelphia Reform
Reform Judaism
Reform Judaism refers to various beliefs, practices and organizations associated with the Reform Jewish movement in North America, the United Kingdom and elsewhere. In general, it maintains that Judaism and Jewish traditions should be modernized and should be compatible with participation in the...
congregation and began to consider entering the rabbinate at 16 years old, even though she knew that this role had never been open to women.
Rabbinical school
In the fall of 1969, Sasso joined the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College's second class of rabbinical students.When the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College was founded by Mordecai KaplanMordecai Kaplan
Mordecai Menahem Kaplan , was a rabbi, essayist and Jewish educator and the co-founder of Reconstructionist Judaism along with his son-in-law Ira Eisenstein.-Life and work:...
in 1968, it was assumed that women would be welcome as students. Sandy Eisenberg Sasso was accepted without debate or subsequent controversy. While in school, Sandy Eisenberg married her classmate, Dennis Sasso, making them the first rabbinical couple in Jewish history. As one of the few women rabbinical students, Sasso naturally became a leader in defining women's changing roles within Judaism.Reconstructionist women rabbis have been instrumental in the creation of rituals, stories, music, and theologies that have begun to give women's experience a voice in Judaism. Sasso holds title to many firsts as a woman rabbi, including becoming the first rabbi to become a mother when her son David was born on June 22, 1976 and again with the birth of her daughter Debora in 1979.
Rabbinical life
Sasso has served as rabbi of the ManhattanManhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
Reconstructionist Congregation and, since 1977, as rabbi along with her husband at the congregation Beth El Zedeck in Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
, making the Sassos the first married couple to serve the same congregation. Since Beth El Zedeck is identified with both the Reconstructionist and Conservative
Conservative Judaism
Conservative Judaism is a modern stream of Judaism that arose out of intellectual currents in Germany in the mid-19th century and took institutional form in the United States in the early 1900s.Conservative Judaism has its roots in the school of thought known as Positive-Historical Judaism,...
movements, she also became the de facto first woman rabbi to serve a Conservative congregation.
Sasso is very active in interfaith activities and lectures at Butler University
Butler University
Butler University is a private university located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Founded in 1855 and named after founder Ovid Butler, the university offers 60 degree programs to 4,400 students through six colleges: business, communication, education, liberal Arts and sciences, pharmacy and health...
in Indianapolis. She is the author of eleven children's books, as well as a monthly column on religion and spirituality for The Indianapolis Star
The Indianapolis Star
The Indianapolis Star is a morning daily newspaper that began publishing on June 6, 1903. It has won the Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting twice, in 1975 and 1991. It is currently owned by the Gannett Company.-History:...
. Today, Sasso and her husband serve as the senior rabbis of Congregation Beth El Zedeck in Indianapolis.
Children's books
- God's Paintbrush, illustrated by Annette C. Compton, Jewish Lights Publishing (Woodstock, VT), 1992.
- In God's Name, illustrated by Phoebe Stone, Jewish Lights Publishing (Woodstock, Vermont), 1994.
- But God Remembered: Stories of Women from Creation to the Promised Land, Jewish Lights Publishing (Woodstock, Vermont), 1995.
- A Prayer for the Earth: The Story of Naamah, Noah's Wife, illustrated by Bethanne Andersen, Jewish Lights Publishing (Woodstock, Vermont), 1996.
- God in Between, illustrated by Sally Sweetland, Jewish Lights Publishing (Woodstock, Vermont), 1998.
- For Heaven's Sake, illustrated by Kathryn Kunz Finney, Jewish Lights Publishing (Woodstock, Vermont), 1999.
- God's Paintbrush Celebration Kit, Jewish Lights Publishing (Woodstock, Vermont), 1999.
- What Is God's Name?, Jewish Lights Publishing (Woodstock, Vermont), 1999.
- God Said Amen, Jewish Lights Publishing (Woodstock, Vermont), 2000.
- Cain and Abel: Finding the Fruits of Peace, illustrated by Joani Keller Rothenberg, Jewish Lights Publishing (Woodstock, Vermont), 2001.
- Noah's Wife: The Story of Naamah, illustrated by Bethanne Andersen, Jewish Lights Publishing (Woodstock, Vermont), 2002.
- Adam and Eve's First Sunset: God's New Day, illustrated by Joani Keller Rothenberg, Jewish Lights Publishing (Woodstock, Vermont), 2003.
- Abuelita's Secret Matzahs, Emmis Books (Cincinnati), 2005.
- Butterflies under Our Hats, Paraclete Press (Orleans), 2006.
Other writings
- Call Them Builders: A Resource Booklet about Jewish Attitudes and Practices on Birth and Family Life, Reconstructionist Federation of Congregations and Havurot (New York), 1977.
- Putting God on the Guest List: How to Reclaim the Spiritual Meaning of Your Child's Bar or Bat Mitzvah, Jewish Lights Publishing (Woodstock, Vermont), 1992.
- The Voices of Children, Co-editor with Siddur Kol HaNoar, Reconstructionist Press, 2005.
- God's Echo – Exploring Scripture with Midrash Paraclete Press (Orleans) 2010.
Awards and honors
Sasso has been honored throughout her career:- HonoraryHonorary degreeAn honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
Doctor of Humanities, DePauw UniversityDePauw UniversityDePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, USA, is a private, national liberal arts college with an enrollment of approximately 2,400 students. The school has a Methodist heritage and was originally known as Indiana Asbury University. DePauw is a member of both the Great Lakes Colleges Association...
, 1986 - Special Merit award, Vermont Book Publishers, 1992, for God's Paintbrush
- Children's Books of Distinction Award finalist, 1994, for In God's Name
- Best books of the year honor, Publishers WeeklyPublishers WeeklyPublishers Weekly, aka PW, is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers and literary agents...
, 1995, for But God Remembered: Stories of Women from Creation to the Promised Land - Best books of the year honor, Publishers Weekly, 1996, for A Prayer for the Earth
- Sagamore of the Wabash award, Governor of the State of Indiana, 1995
- Named among Influential Women in Indiana, Indianapolis Business Journal, 1997
- Honorary D.H.L.Doctor of Humane LettersThe degree of Doctor of Humane Letters is always conferred as an honorary degree, usually to those who have distinguished themselves in areas other than science, government, literature or religion, which are awarded degrees of Doctor of Science, Doctor of Laws, Doctor of Letters, or Doctor of...
, Butler University, Indianapolis, 1999 - Honorary Doctor of DivinityDoctor of DivinityDoctor of Divinity is an advanced academic degree in divinity. Historically, it identified one who had been licensed by a university to teach Christian theology or related religious subjects....
, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, 1999 - Honorary degree, Christian Theological Seminary, 2000
- Helen Keating Ott Award for Outstanding Contribution to Children's Literature, 2004.
External links
- Information on Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso’s books at Jewish Lights (publisher)
- Biography at Beliefnet
- Children's Spirituality, an Interview,
- Explorefaith interview Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso, 2007.
- First women rabbis in U.S. celebrate Hanukkah at historic event , December 7, 2010.
Videos
Videos produced by Sonia Sarah Lipsyc director of Aleph CSUQ, and Abigail Hirsch a Film Producer with Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso at Dorshei Emet Synagogue, Montreal,Canada:Further reading
- Nadell, Pamela S., "Women Who Would Be Rabbis: A History of Women's Ordination, 1889-1985" in Jewish Women's Life.