Clergy

Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, D.D., Senior Rabbi
rabbi@cbst.org  212-929-9498, x825
Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum serves as spiritual leader of Congregation Beit Simchat Torah. She was installed as CBST’s first rabbi in 1992… Read more

Rabbi Yael Werber, Assistant Rabbi
rabbiwerber@cbst.org  212-929-9498, x828

Rabbi Yael Werber was ordained at Hebrew College Rabbinical School in May 2022… Read more

Cantor Sam Rosen, Cantor 
cantorrosen@cbst.org  212-929-9498, x824

Cantor Sam Rosen is a native of Sugar Land, Texas. In 2012, he completed Bachelor’s degrees in Music (Ethnomusicology) and… Read more

Rabbi Marisa Elana James, Director of Social Justice Programming
rabbijames@cbst.org  212-929-9498, x822
Rabbi Marisa Elana James is a graduate of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College… Read more

Joyce Rosenzweig, Music Director
jrosenzweig@cbst.org  212-929-9498, x823
Pianist/conductor Joyce Rosenzweig performs frequently in concerts throughout the United ‎States, Canada, Europe, and Israel… Read more

Rabbi Mike Moskowitz, Scholar-in-Residence 
rabbimoskowitz@cbst.org  212-929-9498, x845
Rabbi Mike Moskowitz is a deeply traditional and radically progressive advocate for trans rights and a vocal ally for LGBT inclusivity… Read more

Cooperberg-Rittmaster Rabbinical Interns

Every year, CBST selects one or two rabbinical students as Cooperberg-Rittmaster Rabbinical ‎Interns from a large pool of highly qualified candidates.‎
Learn more about the Cooperberg-Rittmaster Rabbinical Internship
View past rabbinical and cantorial interns

Adam Graubart, Cooperberg-Rittmaster Rabbinical Intern
Adam Graubart (he/his) is a third-year rabbinical student at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion … Read more

Aliza Schwartz, Cooperberg-Rittmaster Rabbinical Intern
Aliza Schwartz (she/her) is a rabbinical student at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, expecting to graduate in 2024 … Read more

Avigayil Halpern, Cooperberg-Rittmaster Pastoral and Educational Intern
Avigayil Halpern (she/her) is entering her final year of study toward rabbinic ordination as a member of Hadar’s Advanced Kollel … Read more