Board Installation Shabbat 2024
Rabbi Jason Klein, outgoing Board President Sabrina Farber, and incoming Board President Ivan Zimmerman all shared special remarks and gifts for Board Installation Shabbat as we welcomed our 2024-2025 Board at Kabbalat Shabbat services on Friday, July 5th. We looked back, and we looked forward to all that we know is to come at CBST.
“Three and a half years ago, when I became president,” Sabrina Farber said, “I was nervous and excited, but also humbled… because of the immense trust that you put in me to guide CBST into the future. Of course, none of us had any idea what the future would entail three and a half years ago. It entailed, among other things, COVID and more COVID, rabbinical sabbatical, board turmoil, the war in Israel, retirement of our beloved 32-year Senior Rabbi, and many, many more things. I have always been guided by a deep love of CBST, a deep appreciation for all of those who came before—congregants, clergy, staff, members, you name it—and a deep desire to work with a new generation of LGBTQ+ Jews to imagine the future of our congregation.”
Ivan Zimmerman introduced himself, and marveled at what he has learned from CBST, and what makes CBST such a special place: “ It took me many years to know CBST well enough, and for CBST to know me well enough, for this to even be a possibility. And the world has changed, and CBST has changed, and I have changed. There are lots of other synagogues that now welcome LGBTQ+ Jews, but they aren’t LGBTQ+ synagogues, and they cannot have that history and knowledge of what we stand for. CBST understands what it is to be marginalized, even among the outsiders. CBST understands what devastation a plague can bring. CBST understands what it really means to bring your whole honest self to a place of worship.”
In welcoming the new Board, Rabbi Jason Klein shared CBST’s blessing for Board members:
We ask your blessings, oh God, upon those who have been selected to lead and serve our congregation as they perform their duties. Stay ever mindful of the high purposes to which we are well dedicated. Help them to be faithful heirs to those who have preceded us, and worthy predecessors of those who will yet follow. May their actions reflect, strength and wisdom, and bear testimony to the great heritage which they represent. Grant our leaders strength when they’re weary. Hope when they are discouraged. Patience and perseverance when they face any obstacle. Bless them and those dear to them with health of body and vigor of mind. May their labors reflect the honor upon our congregation and our people, and may they be rewarded to your holy name. Amen.
If you haven’t gotten to know our current Board yet, learn about all our wonderful Board members on our Board page.