Membership Matters!
Thank you for sharing your Jewish journey with CBST!
The GUIDE below reflects CBST’s long-standing, compassionate core principle: Each Member contributes as generously as they are able, enabling CBST to wholeheartedly welcome all who wish to affiliate with this sacred community. Find the amount that is right for you.
Questions? Contact Ruth in confidence at Membership@CBST.org.
What is Continuing Membership?
When you join or renew, you may choose Annual Membership which must be renewed at the start of each fiscal year, July 1. You are encouraged to choose Continuing Membership – CBST’s ongoing automatic monthly plan which avoids gaps and annual renewal while enabling clergy and lay leaders to plan wisely with confidence.
What is Sustaining Membership?
These members are acknowledged for their greatly-appreciated commitment and much-needed financial support.
What is Fair Share Sliding Scale?
The Guide is based on a sliding scale percentage of gross annual household income. Please find the appropriate amount for you, and please know that financial circumstances will never be a barrier to membership at CBST.
What are the Special Affiliations?
If your primary membership is in another congregation, consider Associate Membership to keep in touch and support CBST (includes Membership privileges except pastoral care and lifecycles).
Aleinu 20s/30s is a dynamic cohort of young adults, developing engaging educational, spiritual, meaningful, and fun programs.
CBST proudly welcomes Clergy and Students who choose CBST to bring spirituality, pride, and joy into their lives!
What is the Security Commitment?
As threats and violence against Jewish and LGBTQ+ individuals and institutions increase, CBST needs grants plus members’ contributions to continue to implement the professional recommendations required to keep us all safe and protect our Home of Our Own.
Why Become a Member?
Members share sacred time and space, learning opportunities, lifelong friendships and joy.
Your Membership is the communal, spiritual and financial foundation for this LGBTQ+ kehillah kedoshah (holy community) that boldly stands for justice in the world, sustaining a vibrant progressive Judaism today and for the generations that follow.
CBST clergy are your clergy for pastoral counseling and lifecycles, including welcoming children, B*Mitzvah (Youth and Adult), conversion, weddings and kiddushin, funerals and mourning, gender transition and coming out.
Adult Members in Good Standing are eligible to…
– attend and vote at Annual and Special Meetings;
– be elected or appointed to leadership on the Board of Directors, Committees, Teams, and Task Forces;
– join the Community Chorus;
– participate in holiday, festival, and Shabbat honors: service leadership, Aliyah, ark opening, and greeting/ushering. Members’ seating at the Javits Center is in sections closest to the bimah;
– attend Members-only and Members-discounted educational and community programs: Rainbow Tots / Families with Children, Limmud B’Shabbat, Teen Track, and Lehrhaus for adults; Adult B*Mitzvah; Annual Retreat; Congregational Travel; Special Receptions, and Teachings;
– provide or receive Chesed peer-to-peer support
– purchase interment rights in CBST’s cemetery;
– be memorialized on the Wine Family Sanctuary Memorial Wall;
– memorialize loved ones on the Kuriel Chapel Memorial Board.
– lead and volunteer for social justice work: impact LGBTQ+ civil rights, progressive Judaism, tikkun olam (repair of the world), and justice for all.
What is Continuing Membership?
Members may choose Annual Membership and renew each year on July 1. You are encouraged to choose Continuing Membership – the ongoing automatic monthly plan that avoids gaps and annual renewal while providing consistent funding that enables clergy and lay leaders to plan wisely with confidence.
You may join, renew your Annual Membership, change to Continuing Membership, or change the amount of your financial commitment at any time – just contact Ruth Kleinman, Membership & Engagement Manager, at 212-929-9498 x815, or Membership@CBST.org.
What is Associate Membership?
If your primary membership is in another congregation, you may choose Associate Membership, with all privileges except pastoral care and lifecycles.
I'm in my 20s/30s - What is Aleinu membership?
We’re thrilled to welcome young adults! This dynamic cohort develops educational, spiritual, meaningful, and fun programs. Learn about Aleinu HERE
How and When Do Make my Contribution?
CBST’s fiscal year is July 1 through June 30.
If you prefer Annual Membership, you must renew each year on July 1. It’s easy and secure to renew online.
If you choose Continuing Membership, your ongoing monthly contributions are processed automatically.
Open Pledges will appear on your monthly Statement. Your timely response is important and greatly-appreciated.
Ways to give: It’s easy to give online via credit/debit cards or ACH (bank-to-bank transfer with lower fees). Consider DAF, QCD, Stock Transfer, Corporate Match or a multi-year agreement. Contact Development@CBST.org.
Changes: Email Membership@CBST.org regarding any changes to your contact information, credit/debit card or bank account, or to change your Membership plan.
Membership in Good Standing: To enjoy the privileges of membership, you must be in compliance with your financial commitment plan and maintain respect for CBST’s mission and core values.
Membership Lapse / Expiration: Life happens. Perhaps you’ve moved; perhaps you’re facing unexpected challenges; perhaps you need to adjust your financial commitment. This is your Congregation – we want to hear from you. If you do not respond to emails or calls by December, we will sadly consider your membership expired…but please do contact us any time!
CBST is a 501(c)(3) Religious Organization. In accordance with IRS regulations, your membership and other contributions are tax deductible as no tangible goods or services are provided in exchange for your gift.
How Do I Renew or Change My Membership?
What is the Security Commitment?
As threats and violence against Jewish and LGBTQ+ individuals and institutions increase, CBST continues to implement professionally recommended security measures to keep us all safe and to protect our Home of Our Own.
For Fiscal Year July 1, 2026 – June 30 2027:
Individual-Adult Household: $125 per year
Multi-Adult Household: $250 per year
Questions? Click HERE.
Please know that our security team is trained to take a caring, de-escalation approach. If you witness any conduct that is disrespectful or seems to be targeting an individual based on real or perceived identity, please tell advise a guard and CBST staff immediately.
Are there Other Ways to Support CBST?
Contributions in addition to Membership are essential and meaningful, from members and non-members alike, and we are grateful for donations of every amount. Click here or contact Development@CBST.org to discuss your thoughts or questions. Gifts may be made in memory or in honor of a special person or occasion.
Giving Opportunities – examples include:
– Kuriel Chapel Family & Friends digital Memorial Wall
– Yortzeit and Yizkor Contributions
– Wine Family Sanctuary Bench Dedication
– Capital Reserve Fund (you may dedicate a Wine Family Sanctuary Skylight or the Social Justice Office)
– Prayerbook Dedications (bookplate in a High Holy Days Machzor, Shabbat Siddur, or Children’s Book)
– Florals for the Bimah on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
– Lehrhaus and other Education Programming Sponsorship
– Sponsoring Shabbat Oneg/Kiddush, Livestreaming, and Shabbat Music
Need more information or assistance? Contact Ruth at Membership@CBST.org or 212-929-9498 x815.
Did you know…
To meet CBST’s operating budget, members would each have to contribute approximately $6,000 per year. This is feasible for some but not all members. The Sustaining and Fair Share sliding scale GUIDE reflects a compassionate, long-standing policy that welcomes all, as we each honestly make our commitment as generously as we are able.
Membership covers only about one third of CBST’s Operating Budget. Sponsorships and contributions are essential and meaningful. You may donate any time securely online or contact Development@CBST.org.
You can become a Ner Tamid (eternal light). Simply let us know you have remembered CBST in your planned giving as a lasting legacy.
CBST is a 501(c)(3) Religious Organization. In accordance with IRS regulations, your membership and other contributions are tax deductible as no tangible goods or services are provided in exchange for your gift.