Rabbi Indigo J Raphael shares their story to celebrate 50 years of women rabbis in the UK
This year, as we commemorate the 50th anniversary of Jackie Tabick’s ordination and 50 years of women in the UK rabbinate, Rabbi Indigo J Raphael talks about their experience as a queer non-binary rabbi who is a transman.
For the past five decades, Leo Baeck College has been at the forefront of progress, ordaining over 70 women rabbis and shaping the landscape of Progressive Judaism. To mark this milestone, we have curated an archive of inspiring stories that highlight their remarkable journeys. In this blog post, titled ‘In Celebration of Sisterhood & Siblinghood’ Rabbi Indigo J Raphael reflects on rabbinical student life at LBC and their own journey since their ordination at Leo Baeck College in 1996.
In Celebration of Sisterhood & Siblinghood
As a queer non-binary rabbi who is a transman, I hold my herstory[1] with pride.
I am au fait with marginalization, demonization and prejudice that dehumanizes rather than celebrates the remarkable beauty of diverse rabbinic voices.
Being ordained as a womyn[2] rabbi brought challenges and achievements.
Sometimes womyn rabbis encountered (and still face): covert and/or overt misogyny, gender assumptions and fantasies, being treated as “less than”, belittled and dismissed, comments about appearance, abysmal lack of personal boundaries. Feeling like they were expected to be honorary men. Despite this, we pioneered in gentle, loud and empowering ways. Nowadays, in many Liberal and Reform congregations womyn rabbis are normative and a blessing: for who each is at heart and the gifts they bring.
Unique voices of womyn rabbis contrast with the Half-Empty Bookcase[3] – reflecting the missing, invisible, erased and silenced contributions of Jewish womyn. Your stories have a rightful, invaluable and burgeoning place on these shelves.
As a shy South African student, Leo Baeck College enabled and supported me to discover my voice and meaningful ways to educate, facilitate, challenge, empower and inspire. LBC saw sparks within that I couldn’t yet see… and stoked and nurtured them. Their radiance endures!
Rabbi Indigo Jonah Raphael (he/they) studied at Leo Baeck College 1991-1996. Ordained in 1996, he was a Congregational Rabbi for 9 years and has worked in Healthcare Chaplaincy-Spiritual Care for 20 years. They have an MA. (Hebrew & Jewish Studies) and MA. (Healthcare Chaplaincy), and are a Life Coach & Poet.
[1] Having worked as a womyn rabbi for 16 years, I then transitioned 13 years ago.
[2] I spell “womyn” with a “y”, rather than “woman” in order not to refer to a womyn’s identity being determined by or through that of a man or men.
[3] Jewish works written by men were already prominently ensconced on the Bookcase shelves. This initiative by Rabbi Marcia Plumb, together with womyn rabbis in the UK (1991), sought to encourage, amplify and make visible Jewish womyn’s voices within congregations and as scholars: to claim their space on the Half-Empty Bookcase. At the Half-Empty Bookcase Conference I facilitated a workshop for Jewish womyn survivors of sexual abuse.
The featured picture was taken by Frances Marshall (photographer)
We can only build the future of Progressive Judaism with the generosity of our supporters
Celebrate this foundational milestone with us and support the next generation of inspirational Progressive Jewish leaders by helping us raise £50,000 for 50 years of women in the UK rabbinate.
This year, thanks to the generosity of an anonymous supporter, we’re pleased to announce donation top-ups, so for every £4 you donate, they’ll add an extra £1 to celebrate this momentous occasion – find out more on the donation page
We also invite you to join us online on 14th May 2025 as we celebrate this extraordinary event with Rabbi Dr Jackie Tabick in conversation with Rabbi Professor Deborah Kahn-Harris.