Mordechai Kaplan (June 11, 1881)

Mordechai Kaplan was the inventor of Reconstructionist Judaism. He was the first rabbi to introduce Bat Mitzvah, thus finding a way to improve equality for women in Judaism. "He came to see Judaism not as a religion, but as a civilization, characterized not only by beliefs and practices, but by language, culture, literature, ethics, art, history, social organization, symbols, and customs." -- from Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan (1881-1983)