Rabbi Avi Weiss
Rabbi Avi Weiss is an influential American Modern Orthodox rabbi, educator, and author. He is the founding rabbi of the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale in the Bronx, New York, a position he held for over 40 years. Rabbi Weiss is known for his activism and strong stances on various social issues, often advocating for human rights and Jewish causes on both a national and international stage.
Throughout his career, Rabbi Weiss has founded several important institutions, including Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, a Modern Orthodox rabbinical school aimed at training rabbis to be community and spiritual leaders with a focus on pastoral education and inclusivity. He also established Yeshivat Maharat, the first Orthodox Jewish institution to ordain women as clergy, which has been a groundbreaking development in the Jewish community.
Rabbi Weiss has authored several books where he discusses Jewish law, philosophy, and ethics. His writings often reflect his commitment to an open and inclusive Orthodoxy, and he is respected for his scholarly contributions as well as his dedication to activism and community service. His approach to Judaism is characterized by a deep love for Torah and a strong commitment to social justice and human rights.