Today we salute LGBTQ Icon, Denise Eger, American Reform Rabbi, activist and co-founder of the Kol Ami (“All My People”), a synagogue intended to serve both gay and non-gay Jews in West Hollywood, California. Born in Pittsburgh, PA and raised in Tennessee, Eger was ordained in 1988, after receiving and master’s degree in Jewish studies from Hebrew Union College in 1985. An activist and noted speaker on religion, LGBTQ and family issues, Eger has been featured on several radio and television programs and has written extensively in several publications including the Huffington Post, LA Times and The Advocate. A staunch advocate of marriage equality, in 2008, she officiated the first legal wedding of lesbian couple Robin Tyler and Diane Olson in California. In March 2015, Eger was the first openly gay person to be named the president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, the largest and oldest rabbinical organization in North America. Lauded for her dedication and activism, Eger has received several awards including being named one the 12 Remarkable Women in 2010 by the National Women’s Political Caucus and the Human Rights Campaign Equality Award in 2011. Eger and her wife, Rabbi Denise Steinman live in northern California.
To learn more about Rabbi Denise Eger, visit:
https://kol-ami.org/rabbi-denise-l-eger
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denise_Eger
http://www.losangelesblade.com/2017/04/05/queery-rabbi-denise-eger/
https://www.advocate.com/religion/2017/11/21/coming-out-religion-rabbi-blessed-say-lgbt-lives-matter