A Look Back: May 9: Adult B'nai Mitzvah
Click to read the divrei Torah from Julia Porper , Barbara Gaines , and Ivan Zimmerman , all of whom celebrated their b'nai mitzvah this past Shabbat.
Pictured: Ivan and Julia chanting their Torah portions from our own (digital) CBST scroll, Barbara and the CBST community reciting Birkat Kohanim [photo credit: Jason Zivic]
May 8: Rabbi Kleinbaum's Drashah
Watch Rabbi Kleinbaum's drashah from this past Shabbat . Click here to view all her drashot from the past few months.

May 8: One-Year Anniversary of Our Pro Se Immigration Clinic
On May 8, 2019, we held our first clinic at CBST in coalition with NSC, SAFE, and RUSA. We had many volunteers, a couple of friends, and a few tables. By early March, we had met over 100 friends and needed every room in the basement each Wednesday! Click here to view a handout detailing our clinic's accomplishments!


May 9: Limmud b'Shabbat Havdalah
Depicted at right are two of our second graders learning about Havdalah at Limmud b’Shabbat this past Shabbat.



May 11: CBST's 5th Members Only Town Hall:
Judy Ribnick and Dr. Diane Burhenne
on Mental Health in the Time of COVID-19
Listen to the recording here .


Edith Golub — age 99 — joins CBST for Friday night services!
Edith, a l ong-standing CBST member and the mother of CBST member Sharon Golub, joins us for our livestream and Zoom!
Email us a photo of yourself online for us to share in a future e-newsletter.
Music to Soothe the Soul
Psalm 150 (Excerpts from Psalm Enchanted Evening concert, June 2, 2019)
  1. Kol Haneshama (Anonymous Baroque setting composed for the Spanish-Portuguese Synagogue in Amsterdam, ca. 1675); Marc Molomot, Tenor / Joyce Rosenzweig, Piano
  2. Hallelu–Kol Haneshama (Adapted from a Sufi chant by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (1948-1997); Judy Ribnick, Clarinet / The CBST Chorus / Joyce Rosenzweig, Piano
This week, we would like to share two contrasting interpretations of what is probably one of the most well-known of all psalms. Psalm 150 (the last of the 150 psalms) is an ecstatic exclamation of praise to God, celebrating all the musical instruments from the Temple Orchestra that would elevate these sacred words with melody, harmony and exultation. The Psalm ends with the words, Kol han’shamah t’halel Yah ! (Let all that has breath sing Your praises!) May each of us become an instrument for praising God, through the beauty of our own unique melodies!

NYC Primary Elections
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 .
CBST in the News
CBST member Dr. Kavitha Ram, who works in maternal fetal medicine at Jamaica Hospital, appeared in an article about a Brooklyn mother who had COVID-19 but miraculously delivered a healthy baby and is recovering.

Kavitha is pictured on the left pushing the wheelchair. [Photo credit: Jamaica Hospital Medical Center]
Friday, May 15 / 22 Iyyar
Connecting in Community, 3 pm
Led by Cooperberg-Rittmaster Rabbinical Intern Deborah Megdal
Meeting ID: 256 347 787; by phone: +1 646 876 9923

Kabbalat Shabbat, 6:30 pm
Ba’al Tefillah:  Cantorial Intern
David Fair
Piano:  Music Director
Joyce Rosenzweig
Service Leader & Drashah:
Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum

Visit CBST's main Facebook page --you will find the livestream of the Shabbat service at/near the top of the page.

Through a gift from a generous donor, CBST will offer purchase of the CBST Friday Night Prayerbook at reduced price, starting tomorrow .   


Saturday, May 16 / 22 Iyyar
Shabbat Morning–Traditional Egalitarian Minyan, 9:30 am
Ba’alei Tefillah: Cantorial Intern David Fair, Larry Kay
D’var Torah : Cooperberg-Rittmaster Rabbinical Intern Deborah Megdal
RSVP here to be sent the Zoom link

Havdalah, 9 pm
Service Leader: Cooperberg-Rittmaster Rabbinical Intern Deborah Megdal
Meeting ID: 654 880 356; phone: +1 646 876 9923 (New York)

Families with Children
  • Limmud b’Shabbat (K-8): 10:00 am; Zoom links will be shared by class teachers. K-6 students can learn Hebrew with Jennifer Kleinbaum by appointment.
  • Alef Bet Shabbat Live on Facebook: 11:45 am
  • Teen Track Shabbat: 1:30 pm
  • Parenting Discussion with Rabbi Rapport: 1:30 pm
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.
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
Members Only
CBST Members Only Town Hall: Updates on How CBST is Doing During the Pandemic
Monday, May 18, 6:00-7:00 pm; via Zoom (RSVP to receive link)
The Members' Town Hall is available via Zoom for CBST members only. Any questions? Email membership@cbst.org or you may  renew/join CBST online.
Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, CBST President Gregg Passin, and Executive Director Yolanda Potasinski will bring you updates on how CBST is weathering this crisis and will address the question of "What will we do for High Holy Days?"
Open to All
Psalm Study with Rabbi Kleinbaum
Mondays through Thursdays, 10-10:45 am; ZOOM: https://zoom.us/j/513468144
Meeting ID: 513 468 144; Dial by phone: +1 646 876 9923; Recordings available HERE
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
Monday through Thursday until May 28, 4-4:30 pm
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!

Revamped 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
Fridays, 3-4 pm, ZOOM: https://zoom.us/j/256347787
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
Sundays, 9:00-10:15 am, begins Sunday, May 17;
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!
Hosted by Aleinu, Open to All
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.  
Resources in Times of COVID-19


NEW: Tech Support at CBST!  Need help accessing an online service or program? Email techsupport@cbst.org . Need help ASAP? Text 646-450-3556.