The world’s first female rabbi, Regina Jonas, was born on August 3, 1902, in Berlin and grew up in poor circumstances in the Scheunenviertel. Due to the early death of her father, she had to take on a lot of responsibility in her family as a child. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
She studied at the world-famous College of Jewish Studies on what is now Tucholskystra\u00dfe. In her written halachic<\/a> thesis (an examination of the religious laws of Judaism), she addressed the question \u201cCan women hold rabbinical office?\u201d and wrote in her conclusion: “Apart from prejudice and unfamiliarity… there is almost nothing in halacha that forbids a woman from holding rabbinical office.”\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even after her ordination in 1935, she was not universally recognized. She often gave speeches and lectures, but was not allowed to take on many other functions, although, according to a letter from Max Brasch to the synagogue board, she was celebrated by many community members for her knowledge and abilities: \u201cWe cannot understand why a woman as a Rabbi<\/a> with such oratorical talent and profound knowledge should not be allowed to preach from the pulpit of the New Synagogue.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n On November 6, 1942, she was deported with her mother to Theresienstadt, where she continued to practice her spiritual profession. On October 12, 1944, she was sent to Auschwitz and murdered there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sources\/Literature:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n