Arizona has its first woman ordained by Yeshivat Maharat. She now works at the East Valley JCC, where her husband is CEO.

Rabbanit Karolyn Benger has become the first Arizonan ordained by Yeshivat Maharat, the Orthodox program that trains women as clergy. She is its 101st graduate.

She is now director of education and community engagement at the East Valley JCC in Chandler. Her husband, Rabbi Michael Beyo, is the JCC's CEO.

Hiring a CEO's spouse isn't wrong in itself, and nonprofits do it. But it is the kind of decision boards are expected to handle openly, through a conflict-of-interest policy and a disclosure on the organization's IRS filings. Kol Phoenix will ask the East Valley JCC board how the hire was approved.

How we reported this: based on Jewish News of Greater Phoenix coverage in September 2026. We have not found any suggestion of wrongdoing; we will add the board's answer when we have it. Write to [email protected].