Learning to Listen, with Rabbi Denise L. Eger

<p>Rabbi Denise L. Eger is an international Jewish leader and social justice activist. She is the founding rabbi of Congregation Kol Ami, in West Hollywood, CA. She is Past President of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, the international organization of over 2300 Reform Rabbis. She served as the first openly gay or lesbian person in that position. She also was the first woman ever elected as President of the Southern California Board of Rabbis which includes Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist and Orthodox Rabbis.</p> <p>Rabbi Eger is the editor of the ground breaking book, Mishkan Ga’avah: Where Pride Dwells: A Celebration of LGBTQ Jewish Life and Ritual (CCAR PRESS, 2020). This collection of LGBTQ prayers, poems, liturgy, and rituals is both a spiritual resource and a celebratory affirmation of Jewish diversity. Giving voice to the private and public sectors of queer Jewish experience and allies. She also wrote a companion study guide for this book.</p> <p>Rabbi Eger is also the co-editor of Gender and Religious Leadership: Woman Rabbis Pastors and Ministers (Rowman and Littlfield, 2019). This volume analyzes historical and recent developments in female religious leadership and the larger issues shaping the scholarly debate at the intersection of gender and religious studies.</p> <p>Eger was named as one of the 50 most influential Jews by the Jewish Daily Forward and one of the 50 most influential women rabbis. In October 2011 Rabbi Eger was one of the Gay Icons of Equality Forum’s LGBT History Month. Huffington Post named her as the #1 LGBT Clergy Person in America. Most recently recognized for her activism by the City of Los Angeles as a trailblazer, she has won numerous awards for her leadership from the Human Rights Campaign, the City of West Hollywood, the California State Senate and State Assembly.</p> <p>Rabbi Eger also coaches non-profit executives and clergy through her company ReZilience Strategies.</p> <p>Raised in Memphis, TN, Rabbi Eger graduated with honors from the University of Sout