A Message from Music Director Joyce Rosenzweig
CBST's 25th Annual Benefit Concert:
נשיר למרות הכל
"And Yet, We Sing!" is on
Sunday, June 7, at 4:00 pm.
Watch the video above to hear from Joyce about what musical delights we have in store for you, and
sponsor or donate here
!
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May 15: Rabbi Kleinbaum's Drashah
May 16: CRRI Deborah Megdal's D'var Torah
This d’var Torah
is about Parashat Behar-Bechukotai and is from this past weekend's Shabbat Morning Traditional Egalitarian Minyan.
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May 18: CBST's 6th Members Only Town Hall:
Updates on How CBST is Doing During the Pandemic
Listen to the recording
here
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The CBST Community Attends Friday Night Services From Home!
Above, we have Ira Rosenblum and Kenneth Karpel (
left
), Risa Tanania's Shabbat evening set-up, complete with delicious pasta (
center
), and Rabbi Kim Geringer and Colin Dunn (
right
).
Email us a photo of yourself online
for us to share in a future e-newsletter.
If you need assistance to access CBST services or programs online, please contact us at
techsupport@cbst.org
. Need help ASAP? Text
646-450-3556.
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Ramadan Greetings From CBST
For 162 consecutive Fridays, from January 20, 2017 to March 6, 2020, members of House of Peace, our Jewish-Muslim outreach initiative, greeted our Muslim friends at the Islamic Center at New York University as they gathered for Friday Jummah prayers. For the past three years, we also volunteered to prepare and serve iftar meals as they broke their Ramadan fast. Given the need for social distancing, they've temporarily suspended their communal Jummah prayers and observed Ramadan at a distance this year.
We miss seeing our Muslim friends in person and made
this video message
for them as they enter the last ten days of Ramadan. Many, many thanks to
Harold Levine
for creating this video, and thanks to
Kristen Plylar-Moore
, the composer of the music.
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Music to Soothe the Soul
- I've Got the Sun in the Morning and the Moon at Night
- Always
- Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep
Sally Wilfert, John Riddle (singers), Joyce Rosenzweig (pianist)
From our 2017 Shirah concert, "...Beside the Golden Door"
This week, we share with you
three beloved songs
by the great Jewish songwriter
Irving Berlin
(1888-1989). Born Israel Baline in Russia, he and his family moved to NYC via Ellis Island in 1893 to escape the pogroms. Berlin wrote more than 900 songs (including "God Bless America" and "Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor"), nineteen musicals, and the scores for eighteen movies.
Sally Wilfert
will be one of our featured singers at our June 7th concert, "And Yet, We Sing!"
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Make your voice heard! The NYC primary elections are coming up on June 23! To help prevent the community spread of COVID-19, all registered, eligible voters may apply to vote by absentee ballot for the June 23 elections. For more info and to apply for an absentee ballot,
click
here
.
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CBST in the News
Kvelling! Check out
this video
from an Israeli channel about CBST Board member
Jayson Littman
and Hebro, a social startup for gay Jews living in NYC producing nightlife parties, cultural events, and destination trips.
CBST member
Ruth Gursky
was interviewed on "Gotta Run With Will," a podcast with Will Sanchez,
about her activism for the
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Watch
here
!
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Upcoming Events
Ruth Messinger & Brad Lander on COVID-19 and Educational Inequity
Thursday, May 21, 2-3 pm;
register in advance
and
program link & password will be emailed to you 30 minutes before the session begins.
CBST is proud to co-sponsor this JCC program.
A virtual conversation on the impact of COVID-19 on educational inequity in the NYC area; featuring the JCC’s Social Justice Activist-in-Residence Ruth Messinger and NYC City Council Member
Brad Lander.
Supporting our Immigrant Friends in the time of COVID-19: A People of Faith Forum with New Sanctuary Coalition
CBST is proud to co-sponsor this program.
Our immigrant friends face unprecedented challenges. At the same time, in this moment of COVID-19, most of us have to change the way we engage in direct action and advocacy in order to comply with social distancing and support communal safety. As people of faith committed to prophets' vision of justice, what can we do to respond in this moment, and what can we do to plan for the future when we can be together again? Join interfaith leaders and New Sanctuary Coalition Executive Director Ravi Ragbir and Multi-Faith Coordinator Micah Bucey to learn and to engage in collective action.
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Roadmap to LGBTQ Rights in the US & Israel: A Wider Bridge Panel Discussion
A panel discussion featuring prominent American and Israeli LGBTQ activists, hosted by CBST board member Lee Goldberg. This talk will focus on the histories and struggles of the LGBTQ communities of the United States and Israel, looking at both our shared struggles and our unique differences.
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Cooperberg Rittmaster Educational and Pastoral Intern (CREPI) Atara Cohen's
Semikha
Ceremony
Rabbi Atara Cohen is having her
semikha!
Maharat will
celebrate its graduates, women's leadership, and Torah through a virtual
semikha
ceremony.
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Friday, May 22 / 29 Iyyar
Connecting in Community, 3 pm
Led by Cooperberg-Rittmaster Rabbinical Intern Deborah Megdal
Mtg ID: 256347787; tel: +1 646 876 9923
Kabbalat Shabbat, 6:30 pm
Ba’al Tefillah:
Cantorial Intern David Fair
Service Leader & Drashah:
Rabbi Yael Rapport
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Saturday, May 22 / 29 Iyyar
Shabbat Morn.–Liberal Minyan, 10 am
Ba’al Tefillah:
Cantorial Intern David Fair
Service Leader:
Rabbi Yael Rapport
D’var Torah
: Rabbi Marisa James
Havdalah:
program begins at
9 pm, service to begin immediately thereafter
Service Leader:
Atara Cohen
Meeting ID: 654 880 356; phone: +1 646 876 9923 (New York)
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Thursday-Saturday, May 28-30:
Plagues, Pandemics, and Shavuot!
CBST will celebrate a ZOOM revelation in the midst of the pandemic and plague. Registration coming soon!
THURSDAY, MAY 28
- Ma’ariv Service, 8:00 pm: Led by Rabbi Marisa James and CRRI Deborah Megdal.
- Tikkun Leil Shavuot – Study: 9:00 pm–12 midnight: Study Sessions: Learn with teachers Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, Rabbi Yael Rapport, Rabbi Marisa James, Music Director Joyce Rosenzweig, CRRI Deborah Megdal, CRRI Ben Dyme, Cantorial Intern David Fair, Rabbi Reuven Greenvald, and bring your own cheesecake!
FRIDAY, MAY 29
- Please note that Connecting in Community with CRRI Deborah Megdal (ordinarily Fridays, 3-4 pm) is CANCELLED ON MAY 29 because of Yom Tov.
- Shabbat Yom Tov Shavuot Service, 6:30 pm: Led by Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, Joyce Rosenzweig, and Sam Rosen. Livestreamed on our Facebook page.
SATURDAY, MAY 30
- Shabbat Shavuot Yom Tov Morning Services with Megillat Ruth and Yizkor, 9:30 am: Led by Rabbi Yael Rapport, Rabbi Marisa James, Cantorial Intern David Fair, and teaching by Cooperberg-Rittmaster Rabbinical Intern Deborah Megdal.
- Havdalah, 9:30 pm: Led by Cantorial Intern David Fair.
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Letting Us Know About Illness: If you or a CBST member you know is ill & would like support,
please contact us. We’re here for you!
Spiritual Guidance
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Please note that the CBST Office
will be closed on Monday, May 25 for Memorial Day
and
Friday, May 29 in observance of Shavuot. There will be no classes or programming on Monday, May 25.
All class recordings are now available
here
.
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Psalm Study with Rabbi Kleinbaum
Meeting ID: 513 468 144; Dial by phone: +1 646 876 9923
Join in study of the Book of Psalms with Rabbi Kleinbaum. No experience necessary! Every morning Monday-Thursday 10:00 am to 10:45 am.
Pirkei Avot Study with Rabbi Moskowitz
Meeting ID: 926 6553 3458; Dial by phone: +1 646 876 9923 or +1 301 715 8592
Pirkei Avot, a classic of Jewish ethics, is customarily studied between Passover and Shavuot to prepare us to accept the Torah. Our class will start at the beginning and learn one mishnah a class, in order.
No experience necessary; no Hebrew necessary; no registration required. All are welcome!
RESISTANCE: Calls & Cards meets Democracy Action Team!
Thursdays from 12:30-1:15 pm, via Zoom (RSVP
here
for the link)
We’ll help you make your voice heard by contacting elected officials and key figures in city, state, and federal government through texting, emailing, calling, and sending letters and postcards. Some areas we work on: voting access (protection, registration, turnout), immigration, refugee protection, environmental protection, common sense gun laws, ending mass incarceration, education reform, healthcare, & the fight against rising antisemitism, racism, and bigotry in all forms.
Connecting in Community with CRRI Deborah Megdal
Meeting ID: 256 347 787; Dial by phone: +1 646 876 9923
In this stressful time, we need to love, support, and listen to one another with an open heart. All are invited to a short text study & support session. No registration required.
Mindful Yoga via Zoom
Meeting ID: 851 6877 6767; Call-in: +1 646 876 9923 (New York)
Let's come back to our body and senses! Join us for a moderate to gentle yoga practice that reminds us to be fully present. All levels welcome, and modifications will be offered for whomever shows up. Hilary Nudell, the instructor, has been teaching courses in Yoga, Stress Management and Meditation at Fashion Institute of Technology for over 25 years.
Please "arrive" 10 minutes early
for any Zoom call so we can start on time. Thanks!
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Hosted by Aleinu, Open to All
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Aleinu Emotional and Spiritual Health Workshop
Sunday, May 24, 2 pm
Join Ramiz Rafailov, Chief Clinical Consultant to the
RUACH: Emotional and Spiritual Support
project, to explore our experiences related to the pandemic and learn tools for improving our mental and spiritual health.
RSVP here.
Hosted by Aleinu, open to all.
“Moving Toward Mt. Sinai” with Aleinu
Saturday, May 30, 8 pm
What does it mean to be witness to revelation at Mt. Sinai? How does that moment reverberate in these times? What are the revelations we experience in our own lives? Choreographer Sasha Soreff will guide us in exploring the theme of revelation through movement and story sharing
.
No movement experience is necessary, nor is movement obligatory – though it tends to reveal cool and interesting things. Afterward, we'll migrate over to CBST's weekly Havdalah service.
RSVP here
.
Hosted by Aleinu, open to all.
A Practice In Seeking Peace with Aleinu
Sunday, May 31, 10 am
During times of uncertainty and unease, it's natural to feel fearful, restless, and unsettled. Ancient practices for mind and body can help you ground your Self, especially when times are tough. Join Aleinu member and registered Yoga instructor, Corey Dane, for an all-levels guided practice, including mantra, light asana (postures), pranayama (breath work), and meditation, and learn to connect more deeply with the world around you and the worth within you.
RSVP here.
Hosted by Aleinu, open to all.
Notes: Bring a yoga mat or plan to practice on some comfy carpet. While not necessary, props like pillows, bolsters, and blankets can assist with support, balance, and relaxation. Wear comfortable clothing to allow for ease of movement.
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Resources in Times of COVID-19
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NEW: Tech Support at CBST!
Need help accessing an online service or program? Email
techsupport@cbst.org
. Need help ASAP? Text
646-450-3556.
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