Home - Congregation Beit Simchat Torah

Lehrhaus Judaica Adult Education

Fall 2025 Learning

Explore our new offerings, including conversational Hebrew, Jewish art, and stories of Rebbe Nachman. May all our learning this year be nourishing, generative, and fulfilling!

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Congregation Beit Simchat Torah

All are welcome.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Straight, Jewish. People of all sexual orientations and all gender identities are always welcome at CBST.

About CBST

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Kabbalat Shabbat

Pray with us.

Welcome Shabbat at CBST! Join our livestreamed services, open to all with no registration required.

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Congregation Beit Simchat Torah (CBST) is a vibrant spiritual community and a progressive voice within Judaism.

The Latest

Shabbat Lech Lecha, 2025

Rabbi Yael Werber on parashat Lech-Lecha and the NYC mayoral race, becoming addicted to angry rhetoric in-person and online.

Reflecting on High Holidays 5786/2025

We are overflowing with gratitude to all who made the High Holidays at CBST such a special time. Explore this year's drashot and reflections.

Shabbat Noach, 2025

Senior Rabbi Emerita Sharon Kleinbaum on interpretations of Noach, ark building, and the need to find our role in forming the future.

{"701PK00000dECqrYAG":{"name":"Va\u2019etchanan: Moses\u2019s Death Story with Rabbi Yael Werber","date":"November 5, 2025, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm","description":"Wednesday, November 5 | 12:00pm | On Zoom<\/strong><\/p>Continue to explore the poignant, fantastical, and compelling stories associated with Moses\u2019s death and his fear over the loss of his legacy. This course will deep dive into midrashim and commentaries focused on Moses\u2019s final hours and moments. No prior experience required.\ufeff<\/span><\/p>","registration":"<a href=\"https:\/\/congregationbeitsimchattorah.tfaforms.net\/389797\" target=\"_blank\">Click Here to Register<\/a>"},"701PK00000dESvhYAG":{"name":"Jewish Art with CRRI David Elitzer","date":"November 5, 2025, 6:15 pm - 7:15 pm","description":"Wednesday, November 5 | 6:15pm | On Zoom<\/strong><\/p>What is Jewish art? Does it even make sense to talk about it as a collective whole? Over the course of six weeks, this class will survey Jewish art and craft traditions across time, place, and media. From Babylon to Belarus, distant past to present day, we will look at ancient mosaics, medieval manuscripts, modern paintings, and much more.\ufeff<\/span><\/p>","registration":"<a href=\"https:\/\/congregationbeitsimchattorah.tfaforms.net\/389797\" target=\"_blank\">Click Here to Register<\/a>"},"701PK00000dEVQWYA4":{"name":"Conversational Hebrew \u2013 Beginner Level with Miya Rotstein","date":"November 5, 2025, 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm","description":"Wednesday, November 5 | 7:30pm | On Zoom<\/strong><\/p>Conversational Hebrew is open to beginner students who are already reading-ready. If you have some familiarity or have taken any Modern Hebrew class prior, this class may be too basic for you. We will be using a textbook, reading aloud and practicing conversations together. The class will cover Hebrew language basics including gendered nouns, pronouns, adjectives, the present tense etc, and develop some basic sentence skills and vocabulary! Please purchase <a href=\"https:\/\/nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbxgt69bab.cc.rs6.net%2Ftn.jsp%3Ff%3D0012IZAdd-fOmbaCmnxAWjpaPy-ES5wY7tocDEqnKnkAl9x2Dgwx7i5IuqsLb-SK_y-afWQSHWK7qdf23V1wzLPL2SlykvS0PrD61DLVMKrE-vWNnxc5Kartt8YguLgHA7au0ItZAxR6au--qcIVFDLQuJBczYXevm-BtrdBiaSdyXNRmcCpfQAkDNBdrV5GcdbF6lMBsUwxaT11LuBFqcKB8h4-wUadX2Dqx6D4ZUf8FT2YUG0kJ2JiQ%3D%3D%26c%3D2INosMProFAYgAezbWhwWoGqwjP6qakbuprXgQ24zBUa68EUcic3mA%3D%3D%26ch%3DvxI8DAZcQ_NtxcJ5O7VonUkW2zO_IT59tAKJmNCkr3swbzL24xEckA%3D%3D&data=05%7C02%7Cmpaisner%40cbst.org%7C5367d938119e464f199208de074d2035%7Ce1e989e6e90a4348aa0efcf428175ebe%7C0%7C0%7C638956224996248860%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=RZCfFw3seQVWwjT6gaWesZZnhJkiJ0h7pBo%2Ffk2fdyk%3D&reserved=0\" target=\"_blank\">the following textbook<\/a> online in preparation for this 6 week on-line class. Class participation is a requirement for this class!<\/p>","registration":"<a href=\"https:\/\/congregationbeitsimchattorah.tfaforms.net\/389797\" target=\"_blank\">Click Here to Register<\/a>"},"701PK00000Wt533YAB":{"name":"Democracy! Team Action Group","date":"November 6, 2025, 12:30 pm - 1:15 pm","description":"Join us for a revamped\u00a0RESISTANCE: Calls & Cards meets Democracy Action Team\u00a0<\/strong>meeting via Zoom!<\/p>See below for Zoom info to join.<\/em><\/p>Thursdays,\u00a012:30-1:15pm<\/strong>\u00a0we host our weekly advocacy sessions via Zoom. Welcoming stalwarts as well as newcomers we will provide information and support to anyone interested in participating in vital political and social justice work around the key issues we face as Americans and as progressive Jews. We\u2019ll help you make your voice heard by contacting elected officials and key figures in city, state and federal government through texting, emailing, calling and sending letters and postcards.\u00a0<\/p>Some areas we work on:\u00a0<\/strong>Voter protection\/access\/registration\/turnout. Immigration. Refugee protections. Protecting the Environment. Common sense gun laws. Ending mass incarceration. Education reform. Healthcare. The fight against rising antisemitism and racism and bigotry in all forms.<\/p>ZOOM INFO<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>Join Zoom Meeting:\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/us02web.zoom.us\/j\/87441818544\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; color: rgb(39, 134, 194);\">https:\/\/us02web.zoom.us\/j\/87441818544<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>Meeting ID: 874 4181 8544<\/strong><\/p>Call-in: +1 646 876 9923\u00a0(New York)<\/strong><\/p><a href=\"https:\/\/cbst.org\/sites\/cbst.org\/files\/images\/Zoom%20Instructions_0.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color: rgb(39, 134, 194); font-size: inherit; font-family: inherit;\">Zoom Instructions & Etiquette<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p><ul><li>Please arrive 10 minutes early. We appreciate your understanding as we strive to provide the best possible experience for program participants & leaders.<\/strong><\/li><li>MUTE your computer microphone, phone or other device until you are invited to speak.<\/li><li>To protect the sacred nature of our services, please make sure that when you join us via Zoom, that your \u201cdisplay name\u201d is updated.<\/li><li>As in our Sanctuary, no photography is allowed.<\/li><\/ul><a href=\"https:\/\/cbst.org\/content\/democracy-action-teamresistance\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color: rgb(39, 134, 194); font-size: inherit; font-family: inherit;\">Click here for more info on\u00a0Democracy Action Team\/Resistance!<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>","registration":"Registration Not Required"}}

Families with Children

CBST offers opportunities for families with children to discover Jewish celebration, education and connection.

Join our Livestream

Be a part of CBST wherever you are! Shabbat and holiday services are livestreamed to CBST members and friends worldwide.

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Congregation Beit Simchat Torah (CBST) is a vibrant spiritual community and a progressive voice within Judaism.

The Latest

Shabbat Lech Lecha, 2025

Reflecting on High Holidays 5786/2025

Shabbat Noach, 2025

Events

Va’etchanan: Moses’s Death Story with Rabbi Yael Werber

Jewish Art with CRRI David Elitzer

Conversational Hebrew – Beginner Level with Miya Rotstein

Democracy! Team Action Group

Families with Children

Join our Livestream

Congregation Beit Simchat Torah (CBST) is a vibrant spiritual community and a progressive voice within Judaism.

The Latest

Shabbat Lech Lecha, 2025

Reflecting on High Holidays 5786/2025

Shabbat Noach, 2025

Events

Va’etchanan: Moses’s Death Story with Rabbi Yael Werber

Jewish Art with CRRI David Elitzer

Conversational Hebrew – Beginner Level with Miya Rotstein

Democracy! Team Action Group

Families with Children

Join our Livestream

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