Cincinnati, USA — Judaism's first transgendered rabbinical student was accepted into the Hebrew Union College <http://www.huc.edu/> - Jewish Institute of Religion, the Reform movement's rabbinical seminary in Cincinnati announced this week. For the first time a transgendered person has been accepted into a rabbinical seminary, paving the way for another first: the ordination of the first transgendered rabbi. Reuben Zellman, 24, of Oakland, California was born female, and began gender re-identification several years ago.This week he was accepted into the freshman class of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, the nations leading seminary for Reform rabbis. Reuben Zellman plans to enter the seminary over the summer and spend his first year of studies in Jerusalem. The Reform movement began ordaining gay rabbis in 1990, but Zellman's acceptance into the seminary is thought to be a first for a transgendered Jew. "I realize it has political ramifications and I think those are positive, but I'm becoming a rabbinical student because that's what I want to do with my life," Zellman told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Citation Unknown. (12 March 2003) TG Male accepted into Hebrew Union College. Jewish Telegraphic Agency http://www.mtra.org.au/press/03/0312.html