154:, a performing ensemble of female cantors. Their first performance at Temple Emanu-El was criticized by the president of the Toronto Council of Hazzanim's (TCH), who said their presence diminished the professionalism of the cantorate. Bolton said that they were conveying to young girls that they can be leaders and that women could develop leadership skills in ritual practice without requiring institutional validation. She also noted that as
256:, Bolton said that Jews would likely have varied approaches due to different reactions to the conflict. She noted that Passover traditions are flexible and can address contemporary issues, and speaking as a chaplain recognized that some might feel reluctant to celebrate and that it is acceptable to observe Passover differently if needed. She was selected by
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Bolton became the founding director of RRC's Centre for Jewish
Creativity to focus on the Jewish heritage of drama, art and music and encourage personal creativity in a Jewish context. She also served on the RRC faculty as an instructor of singing and liturgical chant. In 1999, she became the first
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ill, Bolton was asked to fill in and eventually to stay on permanently (1986–1989) when it became clear the regular cantor could not return. While she had to learn additional liturgical music to take on this role, she noted it was less challenging in a Reform temple, where cantors and choirs
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cantors in
Toronto opposed the acceptance of women cantors. Upon investigating cantorial education further, she realized she desired a broader spiritual foundation in Judaism. It was during this exploration she recognized that she could combine activism, music, feminism, and
219:, an RRC choir where students write much of the music performed. Some of this music was designed to complement sections of the Reconstructionist prayer book. Graduating from RRC in 1996, she was one of the first Canadian women to be ordained as a rabbi.
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While in
Toronto she began considering formal studies to support her career as a cantor. Aware of her limitations in chanting from the Torah, she sought out a traditional cantor willing to teach her. However, their relationship ended when leading
227:. During her tenure, she gained experience in conflict resolution, Holocaust education, and support of at-risk children in Ghana, and helped found a multifaith non-profit group to provide support for homeless families. The legalization of
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in 2004 prompted Bolton to stop signing marriage licenses and only perform religious ceremonies. She was troubled by the discrepancy between her ability to legally marry couples and the state's prohibition on same-sex marriage.
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Bolton initially pursued a career in classical music, performing opera as well as church and choral music. She had performed as a mezzo-soprano with the Studio de
Musique Ancienne de Montreal, the Tudor Singers, and the
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and has spoken up for human rights of Jews and
Palestinians as well for Israel's democracy. In 2015 she and two other Ottawa religious leaders urged the Canadian government to expedite the process of resettling
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even though she wasn't sure she would be able to work as a rabbi as an out lesbian. At RRC she served on an AIDS task force and helped launch a women's studies project. She also founded and directed the
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was the first to accept queer lesbian and gay candidates. She viewed the rabbinate as a way to merge her increasing interest in
Judaism with her activism in women's issues.
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564:"From the Altar, a Vow of Protest: Some Clergy Say Until Maryland Allows Same-Sex Marriage, They'll conduct Religious Rite but Others Must Sign Legal Papers"
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interviewed Kol Nashim members on national radio about the legitimacy of female cantors, and Bolton debated the issue with a male cantor on
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for music studies. Additionally, she pursued advanced studies in art song at the
American Institute for Musical Studies in
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In 2013, she was appointed the permanent rabbi of Or
Haneshamah in Ottawa, becoming the city's first female and
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rabbi. In the late 1980’s, she led efforts to address the exclusion of women from the cantorate in Canada.
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During her time in
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consciousness. She also decided she would serve in the
Reconstructionist movement as the
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produced documentaries on her work as a singer, cantor, teacher and Jewish feminist.
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392:"'Coming Home': Congregation Beit Tikvah hires its first full-time spiritual leader"
585:"Bolton and Westheimer: Democracy is backsliding in Israel and we must call it out"
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with her. It was then she learned about and was drawn to approaches of
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622:"Passover table set for a different tone this year, says Ottawa rabbi"
545:"Rosner's Torah-Talk: Parashat Bechukotai with Rabbi Elizabeth Bolton"
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22:(born 1956) is a rabbi, feminist, and activist. Hired in 2013 by
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they were demonstrating that involvement can bring change to
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education in the Jewish community. In 1986 she asked Rabbi
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and participated in the Advanced Opera Training Program in
641:"Inspiring Rabbis 2016: 32 Men and Women Who Move Us Most"
448:"The journey from classical singer to trailblazing rabbi"
603:"Faith groups lead efforts to resettle Syrian refugees"
286:"Meet Ottawa's first openly gay and first female rabbi"
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Bolton, Elizabeth; Westheimer, Joel (March 31, 2023).
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467:"Cover Story: Female cantors come into their own"
489:"Canadian women become Reconstructionist rabbis"
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241:T'ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights
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722:20th-century Canadian women opera singers
314:"Six women challenge tradition with song"
390:Deutschman, Emily (September 3, 1999).
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252:observance in 2024 in the midst of the
662:Or Haneshamah - Rabbi Elizabeth Bolton
465:Silverstein, Barbara (June 30, 2015).
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54:as well as Chomedey High School and
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42:Early life and education
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20:Elizabeth (Liz) Bolton
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