Myriam Ackermann-Sommer

Myriam Ackermann-Sommer (born 1996) is a French teacher and rabbi. She became the sixth woman to be ordained rabbi in France and the first from Modern Orthodox Judaism in 2023.

Early life and education Ackermann-Sommer was born in 1996 in Perpignan, France, the daughter of a non-observant Proetstant father and a non-observant Jewish mother. Her uncle is Rabbi , from whom she adopted the enthusiasm for studying sacred texts. In New York, Ackermann-Sommer set up a Talmud study group. Aickermann-Sommer became the sixth female rabbi in France, but the first to come from a more traditional sector of Judaism, and both became the first married Orthodox rabbis.

Both opened a YouTube channel and Myriam presents the podcast Daf Yummy where she comments on the day's Talmud passage for 15 minutes.

Views Despite criticism from within the community itself, Ackermann-Sommer has consistently advocated for the traditionalist Orthodox community to be open to contemporary issues such as feminism – indeed, she identifies as a feminist and calls for greater participation of women in Jewish life– and environmentalism. Referring to the LGBTI community, she noted in a 2020 interview that it is not merely a question of ‘tolerance’ but of integrating the community. She also talks about “democratising access to the Torah”.

Personal life She married lawyer Émile Ackermann in 2022, with whom she have a daughter.