Support our 2024 Year of Hope Capital Campaign!

The time has come to replace our worn-down Sanctuary carpet, as well as repair the weakened floorboards beneath it, and to make other vital infrastructure repairs.

Click here to learn more about this targeted campaign to restore our sacred space.

Women’s History at Congregation Shearith Israel

1841 – Founding of the Womens’ Hebra, merging with the Hebra Hased Va-Amet in 1871

1877 – Sarah Lyons appointed principal of the Polonies Talmud Torah School, retires in 1913

1896 – Founding of the Sisterhood

1950 – First Consecration of Girls

1989 – First female elector, Gilda Angel, signs the Constitution

1990 – Dr. Victoria Bengualid serves as Treasurer

1991 – Eva G. Haberman serves as first woman trustee

1991 – First women’s Megillat Esther reading (from a Megillah donated by the Sisterhood in memory of Amy L. Gerstein)

1991 – First women’s Simhat Torah hakafot

1993 – First Women’s Shabbat morning service

1995 – First Women’s minha service

2002 – Naomi Dovdavany appointed Program Director

2006 – First girls’ Megillat Ruth reading for the Congregation

2007 – Lynn Kaye appointed Assistant Congregational Leader

2009 – First young women’s Shir Hashirim for the Congregation

2012 – Barbara Reiss appointed Executive Director

2013 – Rabbi Soloveichik initiates Tuesday morning women’s class

2013 – Lisa Septimus serves as community’s first Yoetzet Halakha

Contact Us

2 West 70th Street
New York, NY 10023
212-873-0300
info@shearithisrael.org
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