The Silent Sex

Blessed art thou, 0 Lord our God, King of the universe, who hast not made me a woman . . .

Old Jewish prayer

Women, notably Ruth and Esther, have figured prominently and heroically in Jewish history, but not in the temple or synagogue. The Apostle Paul, a Pharisee, carried the male tradition of Judaism over into Christianity when he wrote: "Women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be subordinated, even as the law says."

In Meridian, Miss, last week, a woman became spiritual leader of the congregation of Temple Beth Israel, the second largest Jewish community in the state. Mrs. Paula Ackerman, 57, widow of Rabbi William Ackerman, was appointed by the trustees to take over her late husband's duties until a regular rabbi can be found for the post. Though she may not become a rabbi, because she has not fulfilled the educational requirements, Mrs. Ackerman, leader of a 100-member Reform congregation, is the first woman in the U.S. to execute a rabbi's functions.

Said Rabbi Maurice Eisendrath, president of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (Reform): "Women should not be denied the privilege of ordination . . . There is nothing in the practice and principles of Liberal Judaism which precludes the possibility of a woman serving as a rabbi."

Mrs. Ackerman herself is hopeful that her appointment may serve as a milestone of Reform Judaism. Said she: "I have accepted this assignment . . . with the greatest humility . . . I am glad to pioneer in this movement, which we hope may lead to the ordination of women."

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