Mourning the Loss of our Founder, Rivka Haut

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Rivka Haut and R Rayzel Raphael 1988
Rivka Haut and Rabbi Rayzel Raphael 1988

Women of the Wall mourn the loss of our founder and sister, Rivka Haut. Rivka was the visionary who conceived the idea of the first women’s Torah service at the Kotel on December 1, 1988.

That day she organized women from Israel and abroad, from across the Jewish denominational spectrum to pray together at the Kotel, serving as the inspiration for the creation of Women of the Wall.

Her legacy will live on in the continuing struggle for women’s rights to pray together and read Torah at the Kotel and in her dedicated work to help free the chains of agunot.

May her memory always be a blessing.

Please feel free to share memories and leave your thoughts here. 

LISTEN HERE to Rivka Haut speaking about the first Women of the Wall prayer service, from the International JOFA Conference December 7, 2013 5th of Tevet 5774 in New York City

Rabbi Deborah Brin leads worship with wearing kippah and tallit and with her back to the Kotel. Above and to the left of Deborah is Rivka Haut. Near Rivka and wearing kippah and tallit is Shulamit Magnus. In front of Deborah with a light hair clasp on her dark hair and wearing a tallit is Rabbi Rayzel Raphael. Deborah led the first service and Rayzel led the first Torah service with the group that formed Women of the Wall.
Rabbi Deborah Brin leads worship with wearing kippah and tallit and with her back to the Kotel. Above and to the left of Deborah is Rivka Haut. Near Rivka and wearing kippah and tallit is Shulamit Magnus. In front of Deborah with a light hair clasp on her dark hair and wearing a tallit is Rabbi Rayzel Raphael. Deborah led the first service and Rayzel led the first Torah service with the group that formed Women of the Wall.

 

 

 

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