A Message from CBST President Sabrina Farber
Thanks to all who joined us Monday night for Broadway at CBST! With your support, we raised over $55,000 for music and culture at CBST! And we shared a magical evening with some of Broadway’s most electrifying stars.
We are very grateful to members Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley for bringing this evening to life.
The show is recorded! You may watch it here, and if you like you may share the link with friends and family (the show begins at the 11:45 mark).
We are so grateful for all you do. Your gifts keep CBST Joyful, Spiritual, Proud. The clergy, board, and staff join me in thanking you for supporting this incredible event.
📷: Harold Levine
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Need tech help during a service? Text 646-450-3556
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✡️ 14 Tevet ✡️
December 17–18
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Kabbalat Shabbat Services—Board Installation Shabbat
Celebrate the installation of our 2022 Board, as new members are welcomed and all are offered a blessing for their term of service.
Shabbat Morning Services
Dial in by phone: 646-876-9923 | Meeting ID: 892 6861 4329
Havdalah Service
Dial in by phone: 646-876-9923 | Meeting ID: 654 880 356
Please note that Shabbat Morning Services next Saturday, December 25, and the following Saturday, January 1 will be online only, with no in-person attendance. Friday night Kabbalat Shabbat Services on December 24 and 31 remain open to in-person and online attendance.
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Please arrive 10 minutes early. All programs will be locked at their start time. |
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Friday, December 17 (13 Tevet)
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Parashat HaShavuah
This course is a study of the week's Torah portion, or parashah. This text study provides an opportunity to learn and grapple with the meaning of the weekly Torah portion, guided by Rabbi Mike Moskowitz and Rabbi Yael Rapport.
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Kabbalat Shabbat Services—Board Installation Shabbat
Celebrate the installation of our 2022 Board! This service takes place on the Shabbat immediately following the Annual Congregational Meeting, at which new officers are elected. New members are welcomed and all are offered a blessing for their term of service. Outgoing board members are thanked and given certificates of appreciation.
We are honored to welcome our 2022 Board:
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Shabbat/Saturday, December 18 (14 Tevet)
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Shabbat Morning Services—TEM
Dial in by phone: 646-876-9923 | Meeting ID: 892 6861 4329
The TEM service, or Traditional Egalitarian Minyan, reflects a long-established mode of praying the complete Sabbath morning liturgy (including Musaf). In addition, the full parashah (Torah portion) is chanted. TEM’s name reflects both an increased use of Hebrew at this service, as well as a commitment to gender equality in every aspect of participating and leading the service. This service uses siddur Lev Shalem, the Conservative movement's prayer book. You are welcome to attend, regardless of your knowledge of Hebrew or prior synagogue experience. All services include a D'var Torah (short sermon). The service concludes at approximately 12:00 pm.
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Havdalah Service
Dial in by phone: 646-876-9923 | Meeting ID: 654 880 356
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Sunday, December 19 (15 Tevet)
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Monday, December 20 (16 Tevet)
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Introduction to Mishnah
10:00–10:45 a.m. (room opens at 9:45 a.m.) | Register »
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Mishpachah Monday! Online Dinner, Fun, and Shmooze
with Judy Ribnick and Dan Jacobson
Dial-in by phone: 646-876-9923 | Meeting ID: 513 521 023
Dan Jacobson will explore two Sondheim songs that showcase the composer/lyricist's ingenuity. Join us!
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Tuesday, December 21 (17 Tevet)
Introduction to Mishnah
10:00–10:45 a.m. (room opens at 9:45 a.m.) | Register »
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Living Successfully with HIV & AIDS
5:00–7:00 p.m.
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Bubby & Them: Film Screening & Discussion with the Filmmaker and Screenwriter
CBST is proud to co-sponsor this screening and discussion of Bubby & Them, an internationally acclaimed film which earned over 25 awards including from the American Jewish Film Festival of 2021. Made by two emerging trans Jewish filmmakers, the film documents the experience of Je’Jae, a Mizrahi, genderqueer student who lives in their adoptive Bubby’s home when disowned for their identity as queer and ex-Orthodox.
Hosted by SAJ—Judaism that Stands for All, Co-Sponsored by Keshet, Sephardic Mizrahi Q Network, and CBST.
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Wednesday, December 22 (18 Tevet)
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ON BREAK—The Ark Immigration Clinic at CBST
Please note clinic will be on break through the end of December and will return on Wednesday, January 5.
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Aging Together Singles
7:00–8:15 p.m.
Come meet other CBST singles for discussion and shmoozing! Let us know you’re interested/curious by dropping a note. Zoom information will be sent out the morning of December 22. For CBST members only.
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Thursday, December 23 (19 Tevet)
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ON BREAK—Democracy! Team Action Group
Democracy Action Group will be on break for the month of December and will resume on Thursday, January 6. Even though the group is on break, check #CBSTDemocracy for important ways to take action this month. See also Rabbi Rapport’s Drashah below for info on how to support Afghan refugees.
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ON BREAK—The Ark Immigration Clinic at CBST
Please note clinic will be on break through the end of December and will return on Wednesday, January 5.
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Kabbalat Shabbat and Shabbat Morning Services: In-Person and Online
Join us each week for Friday evening services at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday morning services at 10:00 a.m. Space is limited. All in-person attendees for in-person Friday evening and Shabbat morning services must register in advance and be fully vaccinated.
Please note that Saturday, December 25 Shabbat Morning is online only, no in-person attendance. (Friday, Dec 24 remains unchanged—in-person & online.)
📷: ARO
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Aging Independently, Together
Building a Community of Connected LGBTQ+ Adults—Not Just for “Solo Agers”
Six Wednesdays, 5:30–6:45 p.m. (January 19, 26, February 2, 9, 16 and March 2, 2022)
Led by Judy Ribnick, LCSW, MA, Director of Aging Together, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah (CBST) and a team of facilitators
Hosted by Congregation Beit Simchat Torah (CBST) and DOROT and based on a program developed by Iona Senior Services, a DC-area aging service organization, this 6-week series for LGBTQS older adults is designed for those seeking tools, strategies, and support to age more intentionally and plan for the future. Each session offers a topic-specific presentation on critical decision-making, along with conversation, check-ins, and assignments. A resource book will be sent to participants. Participants need to commit themselves to the full six-sessions to the best of their ability.
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Rabbi Yael Rapport's Human Rights Shabbat Drashah
On Friday's Human Rights Shabbat, Rabbi Yael Rapport lifted up an underreported humanitarian crisis: the plight of Afghans left behind following US withdrawal. She related the Joseph story through the eyes of her Afghan friend left in limbo seeking an emergency visa, as USCIS rakes in millions of dollars in application fees, only to issue denials. Listen to the drash here.
📣 Take action now by signing and sending these two important letters:
1️⃣ Send a letter to President Biden and Secretary of DHS Alejandro Mayorkas to ask them to accept and process applications for humanitarian parole quickly, without adding more burdens to people already fearing for their lives.
2️⃣ Send a letter to your member of Congress to ask them to support the Afghan Adjustment Act, which would ensure that Afghans with Humanitarian Parole have a path to longer-term legal status in the US.
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Sami Doyle’s B*Mitzvah
Mazal Tov to Sami Doyle on her Bat Mitzvah this past weekend! In case you missed it, you can watch Sami’s D’var Torah here, view the program here and read the full text of Sami’s D’var Torah here.
📷: Oskar Saville
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Cooperberg-Rittmaster Rabbinical Intern Dave Yedid's Senior Sermon
Last week, our Cooperberg-Rittmaster Rabbinical Intern Dave Yedid gave a moving and colorful drashah for an afternoon mincha. This goes toward his ordination program at Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS). If you missed it, or would like to hear it again, click here to watch on YouTube. You can also read the full text here.
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Cantorial Intern Sam Rosen's Senior Recital
Two weeks ago, our Cantorial Intern Samuel Rosen gave this stunningly beautiful and thoughtful recital as part of his Cantorial Ordination program at Hebrew Union College (HUC). If you missed it, or just want to hear it again, click here to watch the recording video. You can also click here to follow along with the program, which includes lyrics and translations. 📷 : Harold Levine
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Joyful. Spiritual. Proud. |
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As 2021 closes, we need you! Gifts above and beyond membership keep us strong. Make your Annual Appeal gift today! Did you know we accept gifts of stock, wire transfers, and gifts from donor advised funds? There is still time for a tax-deductible 2021 gift. Thank you!
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