Rabbis and Ministers: Women of the Book and the Cloth

This study compares the backgrounds, motivations, and experiences of female rabbis against those of female ministers in selected Protestant denominations. The findings indicate that the rabbis emphasize secular aspects in their work, while the ministers, who feel “called” to the ministry, first identify spiritual roles. Women from both traditions believe they are more approachable and less formal than their male counterparts. They also believe they are more likely to “personalize” religious ceremonies, and that their preaching is more emotional and relational than that of their male colleagues.