Mazel Tov, Rabbi Kleinbaum!

Very few communities can say that their rabbi served as a U.S. Commissioner for International Religious Freedom! We are incredibly proud of our senior Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum as she finishes her two-year term with USCIRF. 

In her USCIRF work, Rabbi Kleinbaum helped raise awareness of the persecution of religious minorities around the world, and worked to hold governments accountable for their violations of religious freedom. She also played a key role in developing recommendations for the U.S. government to promote religious freedom globally. 

We are especially proud that Rabbi Kleinbaum brought her deep understanding of progressive, LGBTQ+ affirming Judaism to this work, bringing the values that she has supported at CBST to this work benefiting others internationally. 

Rabbi Kleinbaum was first appointed Commissioner for USCIRF by Sen. Chuck Schumer (NY) in 2019, and was reappointed by President Biden in 2021. Her time as Commissioner finished on May 14, 2023.

We are so inspired by Rabbi Kleinbaum’s work with USCIRF, and invite you to join us in applauding a job well done.

Read the full USCIRF press release.