Social Justice
At CBST, our prayers, plans, and actions are all dedicated to a world that recognizes every human being as created in the image of the divine, inherently deserving of equal rights, respect, and justice. Our work to transform the world continues especially in difficult times, whether in person, online, or through actions you take at home.
As Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home—so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. […] Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world.”
We are committed to furthering social justice and equality for all people. We work within our congregation, we take public action, and we lend our names and voices to a variety of social and humanitarian causes. Learn more about social justice and CBST.
Interested in connecting with one of our currently-active social justice initiatives?
Explore this list of teams, along with contact information.
Team | Leader(s) | Email Addresses/Links |
|---|---|---|
Judith Hollander, Mark Black | ||
Rafaela Anshel | ||
Laurie Magid, Bonnie Pollack | ||
| ||
Gerry Goldhaber, Dean Dresser, and Sheri Clemons | ||
Noemi Masliah, Dylan Parent, Cliff Richner, and Nathan Yaffe |
Clergy Advisory Teams:
Team | Leader(s) | Email Addresses/Links |
|---|---|---|
Liz Galst | ||
Mark Fischer | ||
Rabbi James, Judy Ribnick |
Other initiatives and partnerships include:
CBST Concerts for Social Justice | Adria Benjamin and | |
Shep Wahnon | ||
Yelena Goltsman |
Social Justice and CBST
CBST is wonderfully blessed with amazing rodfei tzedek — committed seekers of justice. We are honored by them, and we shep a lot of naches (we are very proud).
When CBST held its first service in February 1973, no Jewish organization, synagogue, or institution supported equality for gay people. CBST serves as a symbol for marginalized people everywhere seeking to transform traditional religious communities. Our synagogue is actively engaged in advocacy, reaching out to people of a wide range of faiths and nationalities to promote equality and human rights. CBST provides a much-needed progressive and Jewish voice to counter the religious right. The synagogue is committed to advancing human rights locally, nationally, and around the world, including in the state of Israel.
As an incubator of progressive religious thought, CBST’s public voice is crucial at a time when the dominant role of organized religion in the U.S. is often to limit, impede, and even stifle informed dialogue on sexuality and its interplay with religion. The synagogue’s boundaries and impact extend well beyond the tri-state area, where it draws the majority of more than 1,000 of its members.
CBST is proud to collaborate on spiritual, educational, and social justice programs with like-minded organizations throughout New York City, as well as those around the world. If you are interested in planning an event or program at or with CBST, please complete our Event Request Form.
We have also lent our support to:
Homeless LGBTQ Youth in New York City
Women’s Cancer Education & Response
Global LGBTQ Concerns
For more information, contact Rabbi Marisa Elana James, Director of Social Justice Programming