November 2, 2015

The International Rabbinic Fellowship, a fellowship of over two hundred Modern-Orthodox rabbis, clergy, communal scholars, and spiritual leaders affirms its enthusiastic support for the growing increase in women's Torah learning, participation in religious life and assumption of positions of spiritual leadership in our synagogues, schools and communal institutions.

We, the men and women of the IRF, affirm our support for the work of the various degree granting institutions and programs involved in this avodat kodesh such as: Beit Morasha, GPATS, The Institute for Halakhic leadership at Midreshet Lindenbaum, Nishmat's Yoatzot Program, Yeshivat Harel, Yeshivat Maharat and others.

The men and women of the IRF reaffirm the IRF resolution of 2010 supporting women's spiritual leadership.

For the full statement see: IRF statement on women's leadership roles

We also reaffirm our 2013 statement congratulating the first graduates of Yeshivat Maharat

For the full statement see: IRF statement congratulating first graduates of Yeshivat Maharat

We conclude with words from the 2010 statement: "We strongly encourage communities and their rabbinic leaders to create opportunities to discuss this important phenomenon in an open and reflective manner, in order to enable continuing progress in a spirit of shalom and communal harmony."