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Largest Rabbinical Organization In North America Welcomes First Openly Gay President

By Molly Daly

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The Central Conference of American Rabbis, the main organization of Reform rabbis in North America, is convening this week in Center City. Now in its 125th year, the Conference is marking a milestone.

Calling Rabbi Denise Eger accomplished is an understatement. She's a noted author, human rights advocate and longtime leader in the LGBT community -- the first woman and first openly gay president of the Board of Rabbis of Southern California.

Now, she assumes the presidency of the CCAR.

"I'm the third woman, but the first openly gay one for this particular organization," she says. "It's a very great honor and very humbling."

Soon, the CCAR releases a new prayer book for the High Holy Days.

"We're really excited about the contemporary language, the weaving of poetry, the voices of women, the voices of the disabled, the voices of LGBT people -- the biggest tent that you could imagine are represented in the pages of this new prayer book," Eger says.

The convention runs through Wednesday at the Loews Hotel.

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