Social Justice
CBST community members are particularly committed to furthering social justice and equality for all people. We take public action and lend our names and voices to a variety of social and humanitarian causes.
The very existence of CBST is a political act, an act of courage and perseverance. CBST serves as a symbol for marginalized people everywhere seeking to transform traditional religious communities. The synagogue is actively engaged in advocacy, reaching out to people of all faiths and nationalities to promote equality and human rights. The synagogue’s social justice work has been recognized by the Ford Foundation, which provides critical support to build our infrastructure in this area. CBST is the only synagogue in the world to receive support from this prestigious foundation – a testament to our strength in theological innovation, civic engagement, and leadership.
Materials from CBST's March 6-7, 2010 conference for rabbinical and cantorial students on creating LGBTQ ritual, spiritual, and pastoral homes. Find schedule, presenter biographies, and educational materials here.
Social Justice Blog
Regular updates on different social justice events and topics both in CBST and beyond, including Koleinu, our Congregation Based Community Organizing initiative, as well as our exciting work in building a Jewish LGBTQ movement.
"Lift Every Voice and Sing," LGBTQ Church and Synagogue Choirs
From MLK Day LGBTQ Celebration, CBST, 1/20/2010
Leading the Future
From the Arcus Foundation - ascent spring 2010
"Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum’s life traces the arc of the LGBT rights movement. Today, as the rabbi of New York City’s Congregation Beit Simchat Torah, the largest LGBT synagogue in the world, she is one of the country’s preeminent religious voices for progressive values."
Koleinu ("Our Voice") is CBST's social justice advocacy initiative. CBST has adopted the Congregation-Based Community Organizing model (CBCO) that has been used in hundreds of synagogues, churches, and other institutions around the country and spearheaded by the Jewish Funds for Justice.
CBST has a long history of working toward the right for LGBT marriage.
CBST supports a variety of health issues that affect many of our congregation in many ways.
CBST’s Green Team works to make congregants aware of ways to be more environmentally responsible, while spreading the word to other organizations about green programs.
CBST members gather regularly to serve area community efforts
Bikkur Cholim Coordinating Council This organization supports the development of bikkur cholim activities by consulting, training volunteers, providing resource materials, organizing workshops, and organizing an annual conference in New York City.
