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Danya Ruttenberg

Rabbi and Judaism Expert

Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg is an award-winning author of eight books, highly-sought keynote speaker and lecturer, was named by Newsweek and The Daily Beast as one of "ten rabbis to watch," as a "faith leader to watch" by the Center for American Progress, and has been a has been a Sunday Washington Post crossword clue (83 Down). She has written for outlets like The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, Newsweek, and Time, and has been featured on NPR, the Today Show, USA Today, CNN, MTV News, and more. She is the founder of Life is a Sacred Text, a project bringing liberation-forward nourishment for the heart, soul, and noggin for folks of any, and no, spiritual or religious inclination, filled with essays, text studies, guided discussions, and more, with a vibrant community of over 35,000 people.

Education

  • B.A., Religious Studies, Brown University
  • M.A., Rabbinic Studies, Ziegler School at American Jewish University
  • Rabbinic Ordination, Ziegler School at American Jewish University

Professional Achievements

  • Award-winning author of eight books who now makes her primary writing home with the newsletter/magazine LifeIsASacredText.com
  • Received the Lives of Commitment Award from Auburn Seminary, and the Rabbinic Human Rights Hero Award from the human rights organization T’ruah
  • Named by Newsweek as a “rabbi to watch,” and as a “faith leader to watch” by the Center for American Progress
  • Has been a Sunday Washington Post crossword clue (83 Down)
  • Most recent book, On Repentance and Repair: Making Amends in an Unapologetic World, is a National Jewish Book Award winner and an American Library Association’s Sophie Brody Honor Book
  • Hailed by Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley as “A must-read for anyone navigating the work of justice and healing.”
  • Written for a number of publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, and featured on NPR, The Today Show, USA Today, and MTV News
  • Served as the leading rabbinic voice on Judaism and reproductive freedom, organizing a network of 2500 Rabbi

Certifications & Organizations

  • Editorial Board Member, Sh’ma: A Journal of Jewish Ideas, 2009-2019
  • Editorial Board Member, Women and Judaism (Peer-review journal), 2005-2024
  • Chaverah (Member) of T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, 2013-present
  • Books include: On Repentance and Repair: Making Amends in an Unapologetic World, Nurture the Wow, Surprised by God, The Passionate Torah: Sex and Judaism, Social Justice, and Mend the World

Favorite Piece of Advice

Liberation is a group project. ♥️🌱

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Forum Comments (1)

Co-authored Articles (10)

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