Rabbi Sybil Sheridan shares her story to celebrate 50 years of women rabbis in the UK

This year, as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Jackie Tabick’s ordination and 50 years of women in the UK rabbinate, Rabbi Sybil Sheridan talks about her experience as a woman rabbi. 

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, Rabbi Sybil Sheridan reflects on the evolving role of women in the Progressive Jewish world since her own ordination at Leo Baeck College in 1981.

I planned to teach RE, but at University, I became drawn increasingly, and solely to Judaism. I looked into teaching at a Jewish school but being Reform, made that impossible.

I was sitting in the college common room one day, wondering what to do with my life, when I saw a newspaper open at a picture of Rabbi Jackie Tabick, the first woman ordained as a Rabbi. I thought ‘I can do that! It would be teaching Judaism in a Jewish world – exactly what I want to do.’

I started at LBC along with Rabbi Barbara Borts, and as we made up half the class we clearly presented a challenge to the faculty. Rabbi Professor Jonathan Magonet was concerned to find female role models for us, not realising perhaps that Jackie, and Rabbi Julia Neuberger, actually fulfilled that function. They represented two very different models of female leadership, and Barbara and I in turn, worked out yet other ways of being Rabbis.

One of LBC’s greatest strengths is its pluralism, its toleration and recognition of the many different ways of approaching the role. Each Rabbi is unique and their individual contributions reflect the diversity of their communities.

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.