Rabba Sara Hurwitz

Rabba Sara Hurwitz (b. 1977) is the first woman to receive Orthodox rabbinic ordination — conferred upon her in March 2009 by R. Avi Weiss and R. Daniel Sperber, who initially titled her 'Maharat' (Manhiga Hilkhatit Ruchanit Toranit) before granting her the title 'Rabba' (the feminine of Rav) in January 2010. The decision drew intense condemnation from the Agudath Israel and the RCA, and remains controversial in centrist and right-Orthodox circles to this day.

Born in South Africa, raised in Florida, she serves as senior Rabba of the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale (HIR) alongside founder R. Avi Weiss. In 2009 she co-founded Yeshivat Maharat, the first Orthodox yeshiva to ordain women, where she serves as President and Dean. Yeshivat Maharat has now ordained dozens of women rabbis serving congregations across the Open Orthodox world.