| 1901 |
 |
The RA is founded on June 17 in Philadelphia as the
Alumni Association of the Jewish Theological Seminary, with Henry
M. Speaker, principal of Gratz College, as president. |
|
| 1918 |
|
With over 100 members, the Alumni Association changes
its name to the Rabbinical Assembly, so as to attract rabbis ordained
at institutions other than the Seminary. |
|
| 1927 |
|
The RA establishes the Law Committee,
chaired by Rabbi Max Drob. |
|
| 1934 |
|
Rabbi Harry Davidowitz is the first RA
member to settle in Israel. |
|
| 1944 |
|
One-third of the members of the RA serve
as military chaplains in World War II. |
|
| 1946 |
|
Rabbi Morris Silverman edits The Sabbath
and Festival Prayer Book. |
|
| 1948 |
|
The Committee on Jewish Law and Standards
is established, successor to the Law Committee. |
|
| 1951 |
|
Rabbi Wolfe Kelman is engaged as the
RA's executive vice president, serving 40 years in this capacity.
|
|
| 1953 |
|
The RA accepts the so-called "Lieberman
Clause" to the Ketubah, making the issuing of a get subject to
the directives of the civil courts. |
|
| 1955 |
|
The Committee on Jewish Law and Standards
approves aliyot for women. |
|
| 1959 |
|
Rabbi Jules Harlow begins his tenure at the RA, producing a stunning series of liturgical works. |
|
| 1965 |
|
Rabbi Gilbert Epstein is engaged to direct
the Joint Commission on Rabbinic Placement, to be succeeded in 1991
by Rabbi Elliot Salo Schoenberg. |
|
| 1969 |
|
The RA Committee on Jewish Law and Standards
authorizes the annulment of marriage by a bet din when a husband refuses
to give a get . |
|
| 1972 |
|
The Mahzor for Rosh Hashanah and
Yom Kippur , edited by Rabbi Jules Harlow, is published. |
|
| 1973 |
|
The RA permits counting women in the
minyan. |
|
| 1975 |
|
The Latin American Region of the RA
is established in the mid-1970s, as is RA of Israel. |
|
| 1985 |
|
The RA admits its first female member,
Rabbi Amy Eilberg, ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary, immediately
followed by Rabbis Jan Caryl Kaufman and Beverly Magidson. |
|
| 1988 |
|
Together with other arms of the Conservative
Movement, the RA issues "Emet Ve-Emunah: Statement of Principles of
Conservative Judaism". |
|
| 1989 |
|
Rabbi Joel H. Meyers becomes executive
director and later (1991) executive vice president of the RA |
|
| 1999 |
|
The RA admits the members of the first
graduating class of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at the
University of Judaism in Los Angeles. |
|
| 2001 |
|
The RA celebrates its centennial. The
RA has 1451 members, including 117 women. Approximately ten percent
of its members live in Israel and 44 members serve constituencies
in Latin America. The first conference of Assembly members serving
in Europe takes place in Paris, France. |
|
| 2001 |
|
Etz Hayim, the new Conservative Humash
commentary, is published, with Rabbi David Lieber as senior editor.
|
|
| 2003 |
|
Membership exceeds 1500 rabbis. |
|
| 2004 |
|
The RA establishes a new publishing imprint, Aviv
Press, producing books of interest to a wide Jewish readership. |
|
