Shul in trendy Downtown Brooklyn hires woman as spiritual leader

A shul in one of Downtown Brooklyn’s trendy neighborhoods, which describes itself as Modern Orthodox, has hired a woman as its spiritual leader.

Prospect Heights Shul, a congregation in the Brooklyn neighborhood of the same name, has hired Michal Kohane as its interim spiritual leader, to serve under Senior Rabbi Ysoscher Katz. Her title, rosh kehila, translates in English to “head of the community.”

In respecting Orthodox standards, Kohane will not lead services or have the title of rabbi, nor will she have the authority to rule on matters of Jewish law. A press release Tuesday from the synagogue said Kohane will host community events and serve as a “teacher and spiritual guide.”

“Michal has all the essential qualities necessary for successful spiritual leadership: she combines knowledge of Torah, passion for Yiddishkeit, and extreme sensitivity to others,” Katz said in the press release.

As of May, four Orthodox synagogues in the United States employ women as clergy. All are graduates of Yeshivat Maharat, a liberal Orthodox seminary for women, where Kohane is a student, set to graduate in 2020.

Since its founding in 2009, the school has drawn controversy. Although graduates of the school eschew the title “rabbi,” the Orthodox Union has ruled that women cannot serve as clergy, and has asked women serving in clergy roles to change their titles. The Rabbinical Council of America also opposes women serving as clergy.

Prior to entering Yeshivat Maharat, Kohane worked in various roles at Jewish organizations in northern California. In 2013, she was fired from serving as director of the San Francisco federation’s Israel center after writing an essay criticizing the Jewish community’s focus on young adult engagement. In parallel to Yeshivat Maharat, she is pursuing a doctorate in organizational psychology.

“Combining Jewish learning and community work has been central to my life since very early on,” Kohane said in the press release. “And I’m extremely honored and excited to begin the New Year as Rosh Kehila of this vibrant shul.”

The synagogue is located at 235 St Marks Ave.