Ohioan becomes 1st black female rabbi in US, page 1

I just ran into this interesting news and though I would share:

Jun 6th, 2009 | CINCINNATI -- Describing herself as the "new face of Judaism," Alysa Stanton became the first black female rabbi in the country during an ordination in Cincinnati.

Stanton, of Blue Ash, was among 14 rabbis ordained Saturday at the Plum Street Temple. She will serve as rabbi of the predominantly white Congregation Bayt Shalom in Greenville, N.C., beginning this summer.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reported on its Web site that Stanton said her goals are to break down barriers, build bridges and provide hope.

A native of Cleveland, she studied at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, the oldest institution of higher Jewish education of Reform Judaism in the United States. AP

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Though I am not Jewish I can't imagine that this is anything other than great news.

Any social barrier broken is a step forward for any society and religion.

And after all Moses was African.

As I am not familiar with Judaic tradition perhaps some of our more informed members can help me with a question ...

Is it more of a "distinction" that Miss Stanton became a rabbi as a woman or as an African American?