NEW YORK (JTA) — The Reconstructionist Rabbinical College selected Deborah Waxman, a rabbi and historian of American Judaism, as its new president.

Waxman, the vice president for governance at the Pennsylvania seminary, will oversee the seminary and the movement’s congregational union, an umbrella for approximately 100 congregations. She is believed to be the first woman and first lesbian to lead a congregational union or seminary affiliated with one of the Jewish denominations.

Waxman starts in her new post on Jan. 1.

Her partner, Christine Ager, is a convert to Judaism.

Waxman will replace Rabbi Dan Ehrenkrantz, who has served as president since 2002.