Dena Feingold
Dena Feingold became Wisconsin's first female full-time rabbi in 1982 when she was hired by Congregation Shalom in Milwaukee as assistant rabbi.[1][2] She was ordained earlier that year by the Reform Jewish seminary Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion, and was the first female rabbi native to Wisconsin.[2][3] According to her, she was at one time the only female rabbi employed full-time in any synagogue in the entire Upper Midwest U.S.[2] In 1985 she was appointed spiritual leader of Beth Hillel Temple in Kenosha, Wisconsin.[2] A Spiritual Legacy Fund has been established at Beth Hillel in tribute to her.[2] In 2007, she received a Doctor of Divinity degree commemorating her 25 years in the rabbinate.[3]
She is the sister of former U.S Senator Russ Feingold.[2]
