Jewish Reconstructionist Movement gets 1st female president

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A Philadelphia woman made history in the Jewish religion on Sunday.

Rabbi Deborah Waxman was inaugurated as the first female president of the Jewish Reconstructionist Movement and Seminary.

It has more than 100 congregations nationwide.

Reconstructionist Jews believe that each generation must "reconstruct" the religion, to keep up with evolving spiritual needs and to remain relevant.

"The task of progressive Judaism is identifying what are those values so worthwhile, that we should voluntarily submerge our individual desires to them," said Rabbi Waxman.

Rabbi Waxman's inauguration also marks the first time a woman has become president of both a seminary and a major Jewish movement.