Bonnie Koppell Bonnie Koppell is an American rabbi . She was one of the first female rabbis in the United States , and was the first woman rabbi to serve in the U . S . military . Since 2006 , Rabbi Koppell has served as a rabbi to the Temple Chai community , located in Phoenix , Arizona . Early life . A native of Brooklyn , New York , Rabbi Koppell graduated Reconstructionist Rabbinical College where she awarded a Doctor of Divinity degree in 2006 . She holds a Master ’ s degree in Religion from Temple University . She earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Brandeis University and graduated Magna cum laude in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies , with High Honors in Philosophy . Career . Rabbinic . Rabbi Koppell has steadily held rabbinic positions since 1980 . In addition , she also has served as President of the Board of Directors of the East Valley Child Crisis Center , and as President of the Board of Rabbis of Greater Phoenix . She contributed the City of Mesa ’ s ethics code , and has served on the Board of the Jewish Family and Children ’ s Services , as well as the Board of the Jewish Community Relations Council . Military . Rabbi Koppell serves as a Chaplain ( Colonel ) in the United States Army Reserve , and was the first female Rabbi to serve in the U . S . military . CH Koppell was commissioned as a 2LT Chaplain Candidate in 1978 . She served a year of active duty in support of Operation Noble Eagle . She spent Passover 2006 in Iraq , Chanukkah 2005 / 2006 with Jewish service members in Kuwait and Afghanistan , and was deployed to Iraq for Passover 2006 . She returned to Afghanistan in 2008 , and celebrated Passover in Kuwait in 2010 . She is currently the Command Chaplain for the 807th Medical Command ( Deployment Support ) based in Salt Lake City , Utah , and was previously assigned as the Command Chaplain of the 63D Regional Support Command . In January 2013 , she attended the prestigious Senior Leader Seminar sponsored by the U . S . Army War College ' s Strategic Studies Institute , and in July 2013 received a Master ' s Degree from the school in Strategic studies . Honors and Awards . Rabbi Koppell was recognized as “ Outstanding Young Leader of the Year ” for the City of Mesa in 1994 . She was the recipient of the “ Spirit of Unity ” award from the City of Mesa ' s Martin Luther King , Jr . Celebration , and received the “ Celebration of Success ” award from Impact for Enterprising Women . The Arizona Cactus Pine Girl Scout Council awarded Rabbi Koppell its “ World of People ” award . She served as Grand Marshal for the City of Mesa Veteran ’ s Day Parade in 1999 , and was Mesa ’ s “ Woman of the Year ” in 2004 . In 2007 , she was invited to the White House to offer the opening prayer at a meeting of Jewish leaders with the current President of the United States , George W . Bush . In 2010 , she was named as one of the Jewish Forward ’ s “ Sisterhood 50 – America ’ s Influential Women Rabbis . ” CH Koppell has received many military awards , including three Meritorious Service medals , two Army Achievement Medal s , Physical Fitness Excellence awards , and an Army Commendation Medal . In 2012 she was awarded the Legion of Merit by the 63D Regional Support Command .