Pennsylvania – Rabbi Andrea L. Weiss, Ph.D., a widely respected American rabbi, scholar, and academic leader at Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion, has died at her Pennsylvania home, surrounded by family. She was 60.
Weiss’s passing marks a significant loss for Reform Jewish scholarship and rabbinical education. Ordained in 1993, she joined the Hebrew Union College faculty in 2000 and later rose to become provost in 2018. Over more than two decades, colleagues say she helped shape generations of rabbis, cantors, and Jewish educators.
“Her work embodied both rigorous scholarship and deep spiritual commitment,” one colleague said in a tribute, reflecting a sentiment widely shared across the Jewish academic community.
Born in 1965, Weiss earned her Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania and became known for her expertise in biblical literature. Her 2006 book Figurative Language in Biblical Prose Narrative remains a respected contribution to Hebrew Bible studies. She also served as associate editor of The Torah: A Women’s Commentary, which received the Jewish Book of the Year Award in 2008.
Her influence extended beyond the classroom. The Center for American Progress named Weiss a “faith leader to watch” in 2018, citing her work amplifying diverse scholarly voices within religious study.
Weiss is survived by her husband, Alan Tauber; children Rebecca and Ilan; and extended family members.
As tributes continue, students and colleagues alike emphasize her dual legacy—as a meticulous scholar and a compassionate mentor whose work helped broaden the conversation around Jewish texts and leadership.