Mintz, Yocheved, 1910-

Yocheved (née Porath) Mintz is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, where she grew up surrounded by Jewish tradition and teachings. Her grandfather was Rabbi Israel Porath and he inspired her to become the family’s first female rabbi. She was ordained in May 2004. The next year she became the second spiritual leader of Valley Outreach Synagogue in Las Vegas, Nevada, now known as P’nai Tikvah. She soon was known as a tireless and inspirational rabbi for the entire Jewish community of Las Vegas. After eleven years, on June 17-18, 2016, Rabbi Mintz’s life and dedication to the Jewish community were celebrated. She transitioned to Rabbi Emerita/Senior Educator.

Rabbi Mintz attended the University of Chicago and married Alan Mintz in 1959. Before moving from Chicago, Illinois to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1999 Rabbi Mintz was busy raising the four sons she had with her husband, the late Dr. Alan Mintz (1938-2007). In addition to raising her family Rabbi Mintz also become an interior designer, and with her friend Etty Dolgin, co-founded a Jewish education consulting firm called Kesher Team.

Throughout her life, Rabbi Mintz eagerly studied various approaches to living a Jewish life. Once she settled into Las Vegas, she began her commute to Los Angeles to study at the Academy for Jewish Religion, a trans-denominational seminary. She interned at Temple Beth Sholom in Las Vegas and has been involved in Jewish education locally and nationally. She served as the first president of the Las Vegas Board of Rabbis and on the Interfaith Council of Southern Nevada.

Source:

Mintz, Yocheved (Rabbi). Interview, 2015 March 11. OH-02284. Oral History Research Center, Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada.