75 years ago, toward the end of 1944, the first woman ever to be ordained as rabbi perished in Auschwitz at the age of 42. As a chaplain and educator, she had offered inspiration and solace to thousands. Throughout Nazi Germany and in the Theresienstadt concentration camp, she had worked tirelessly to affirm human dignity at the end of life.
And for nearly half a century afterward, her legacy was mostly forgotten.
At my own rabbinical ordination 20 years ago, I invoked Rabbi Regina Jonas z"l (of blessed memory) as a pathfinder in whose name I stood. Today WAYS OF PEACE Community Resources honors the chaplaincy and education legacy of Rabbi Regina Jonas in all of our services and programs. LEARN MORE
WAYS OF PEACE fosters the dialogue between generations that is essential for learning the lessons of history — especially through How to Mourn AND Organize, our growing initiative for responding to hate speech and violence. During this season of remembering and giving, please honor the pathfinder legacy of the first woman rabbi with a year-end donation to WAYS OF PEACE.
WAYS OF PEACE Community Resources renews justice and kindness across lines of diversity and throughout the life cycle. At least 10 percent of net staff compensation is donated toward further healing of our shattered world.
