Here's what we said about her last year:

At age 13, Rabbi Goldstein knew she wanted to be a rabbi. She told her own rabbi this, who reminded her that there were no women rabbis. Indeed, she was sometimes told "Well, you could marry a rabbi." Unfazed, she said, “Well, I am going to be one.” That was in 1968.  In 1973, after 50 years of debate, the Reform Jewish community began allowing women admission to the rabbinate. In 1983, Rabbi Goldstein was ordained and became the first woman rabbi in Canada, as assistant rabbi at Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto.

 

Her story makes history regularly. Rabbi Goldstein celebrated 40 years in the rabbinate this year and is now retired from this ministry and moving more fully into teaching and writing her memoirs. She is also excited to begin a private pastoral counseling practice and, after her own spiritually satisfying retirement experiences, she coaches other clergy through purposeful, thoughtful, graceful and meaningful exits. Her list of involvements and accomplishments is stunning and admirable. A search on the internet will reveal a woman whose aim in life is “the restoration of the world.”

 

Her awards are many, including the Organization for Rehabilitation through Training (ORT) Woman of the Year in 2001, YWCA Toronto Woman of Distinction and the Covenant Award for Exceptional Jewish Educators.​ She received an honorary Doctor of Laws from (now-named) Toronto Metropolitan University .

 

Rabbi Goldstein is excited about joining our Festival preparation. She is no stranger to interfaith work and play. She was a member of the Frozen Chosen Interfaith Curling Team - a clear sign of her strong belief in community and the need for united communities of faith.

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You can see more about her on her website www.rabbielysegoldstein.com

 

We welcome her to our Biblical Telling community that spans the world as well as Canada.