Rabbi Andrea L. Weiss, a trailblazing American rabbi, esteemed academic leader, and profound scholar, passed away on March 3, 2026, at her home in Lower Merion, Pennsylvania, following a yearlong battle with cancer. She was 60 years old. Rabbi Weiss leaves behind a monumental legacy, having dedicated her life to Jewish scholarship, education, and the advancement of the Reform movement. Her passing marks a significant loss for the Jewish community and beyond.

Born on September 9, 1965, in San Diego, California, Andrea Weiss embarked on a path of rigorous academic pursuit and spiritual devotion from an early age. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1987. Her commitment to Jewish life deepened, leading her to rabbinical studies.

In 1993, Andrea Weiss achieved a pivotal milestone, receiving her rabbinical ordination from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) in New York. This marked the beginning of a distinguished career that would see her become one of the most influential figures in contemporary Reform Judaism. She furthered her academic credentials, earning a Ph.D. in 2004 from the University of Pennsylvania's Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations.

Rabbi Weiss joined the faculty of Hebrew Union College in 2000, where she served as an Associate Professor of Bible. Her scholarship focused on biblical prose narrative, particularly the use of metaphor, and she authored the significant work "Figurative Language in Biblical Prose Narrative: Metaphor in the Book of Samuel" in 2006. Her intellectual rigor and deep understanding of sacred texts enriched generations of students.

One of her most impactful contributions was her role as associate editor of "The Torah: A Women's Commentary," published in 2008. This groundbreaking work, which brought together scholarship by women rabbis, poets, and scholars, received the Jewish Book Council's Jewish Book of the Year Award in 2008 or 2009, and the American Jewish Book Award in 2011, solidifying her reputation as a leading voice in Jewish feminist theology.

In 2018, Rabbi Weiss was appointed the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Provost of Hebrew Union College, a role she held until June 2025. In this historic position, she became the first woman to ordain rabbis and cantors in the Reform movement, a testament to her leadership and the changing landscape of Jewish religious life. She later served as Head of Seminary Programs and Rabbinical School Director.

Beyond her academic and administrative roles, Rabbi Weiss was a passionate advocate for interfaith dialogue and social justice. She founded the "American Values, Religious Voices" campaign, an initiative that brought together diverse religious leaders to address critical societal issues. She co-edited the campaign's first volume, "American Values, Religious Voices: 100 Days, 100 Letters," published in 2019.

Rabbi Andrea Weiss was celebrated for her intellectual prowess, her pastoral warmth, and her unwavering commitment to shaping a vibrant Jewish future. She was known for her ability to connect ancient wisdom with contemporary challenges, inspiring countless individuals through her teaching, writing, and leadership. Her legacy will continue to resonate through the many rabbis and cantors she ordained, the scholars she mentored, and the profound body of work she leaves behind. She is survived by her husband, Alan Tauber, their children Rebecca and Ilan, and her father Marty Weiss, and siblings Mitch, Laura, and Roger.