Every day that CBST opens its doors, it acts for social change. 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. The synagogue is actively engaged in advocacy, reaching out to people of all 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 US 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.
As a community CBST stands committed to furthering social justice and equality for all people. We work within the congregation, take public action and lend our names and voices to a variety of social and humanitarian causes. Click here to read the most recent summary of CBST's many social justice initiatives.
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).
| Team | Leaders | Email Addresses |
|---|---|---|
| CBST, The Middle East, and Me | Judith Hollander and Shep Wahnon | MiddleEast@cbst.org |
| Concerts for Social Justice | Adria Benjamin and Joyce Rosenzweig | Programs@cbst.org |
| Gays Against Guns | Shep Wahnon | See here. |
| Green Team (Environmental Concerns) | Liz Galst | GreenTeam@cbst.org |
| Homeless LGBT Youth | Kristen Plylar-Moore | Programs@cbst.org |
| House of Peace | Harold Levine and Kristen Plylar-Moore | HouseofPeace@cbst.org |
| Red Ribbon (HIV/AIDS Awareness) | Mark Fischer and Linda Rosenbluth | RedRibbon@cbst.org |
| Resistance: Calls and Cards | Sabrina Farber and Gerry Goldhaber | SocialJustice@cbst.org |
| RUSA LGBT | Yelena Goltsman | info@rusalgbt.com |
| Accessibility at CBST | Rabbi James | accessibility@cbst.org |
Our energies go towards supporting:
Homeless LGBTQ Youth in New York City
HIV/AIDS Education & Awareness
Countering the Effects of Climate Change
A Path Toward Peace in the Middle East
Needs of Seniors in Our Community
Women's Cancer Education & Response
Empowering the Trans Community
Global LGBTQ Concerns
For more information, contact:
Rabbi Marisa Elana James
Director of Social Justice Programming
rabbijames@cbst.org
