How do we reconcile God’s presence with the horrors of the world?
Six weeks after the war, Rabbi Timoner challenges us to see the complexity and to break away from the binary of the current moment.
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What can Abraham’s response to Sarah’s death teach us about our own collective grief?
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Four weeks after the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas, Rabbi Kolin reflects on where things stand and finds wisdom in Abraham’s response to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
In his senior sermon, Rabbinic Intern Evan Traylor talks about God testing Abraham to speak out on behalf of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah and invites us to pass a similar test.
Rabbi Rachel Timoner speaks about the war between Israel and Hamas and the antisemitism we are feeling here in New York City.
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Rabbi Timoner adapted her sermon from Shabbat B’reishit into an op-ed for The New York Times. Read it here.
in General
Over the past few days, Rabbi Timoner was quoted in a number of news stories about the atrocity in Israel. Find them below:
- The New Yorker
- The New York Times
- The New York Times
- The Washington Post
- NY Daily News
- Jewish Insider
Last updated: 10/19/23.
in General
On Simchat Torah, Rabbi Timoner offers wisdom for the end of our Jewish holidays.
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in Sermons
Yasher koach to beloved CBE members Jules and Julianne Hirsh, who were featured in the newest episode of the podcast “This is Love”. Jules and Julianne have been members since 1967, and Jules is a two-term past president and CBE’s longest running baal tekiah (shofar sounder) for the High Holy Days. The episode features Julianne’s second bat mitzvah this past June, as well as wisdom from Rabbi Rachel Timoner on the importance of celebrating milestones during the second half of our lives. Listen here.
in General
On Sukkot, Rabbi Timoner discusses the harms of striving for perfection.
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in Sermons
After a dramatic storm, Rabbi Green explores rain on Sukkot.
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Yasher koach to Rabbi Kolin and the CBE Climate Team for representing us at the March to End Fossil Fuels. Watch an excerpt of Rabbi Kolin’s speech from Guardian News (2:32) or read her complete speech on Facebook.
in General
How do we celebrate the new year in a world that feels like it’s ending?
in Sermons
Rabbi Rachel Timoner was one of six progressive New York rabbis profiled about her plans to incorporate the threats to Israeli democracy in her High Holy Days sermons. Read Haaretz‘s coverage here.
in General
How long is a New Year new?
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in Sermons
The Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz have featured our free Israeli services with Rabbi Josh Weinberg. Find these services and others open to the community here.
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Rabbi Timoner tackles the difficult character of Pinchas.
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in Sermons
On Pride Shabbat, Rabbi Kolin discusses what the story of Korach and Pride might have in common.
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in Sermons
“Together, we are learning and embracing this most sacred mitzvah of caring for the dead,” said Rabbi Rachel Timoner of Congregation Beth Elohim. “At the same time, we have been developing our own rituals to be mindful and respectful of the multiplicity of gender identities.”
For the past several months, CBE has been in the process of establishing the first Reform chevra kadisha (burial society) in NYC with co-partners Plaza Jewish Community Chapel, Temple Shaaray Tefila, and Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion. Many of our members have become volunteers. Read The Forward‘s coverage here.
in General
This week, Rabbi Kolin is co-chairing and presenting at the Multi-faith Initiative to End Mass Incarceration “Let My People Go” Conference. The conference is held at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA, and other speakers include Dr. Raphael Warnock. Rabbi Kolin’s plenary topic will be on the campaign to close Rikers.
Hanukkah is about our resilience and showing the world that we’re here.
Rabbi Green was interviewed today on WNYC’s All of it With Alison Stewart. Listen to the interview here.
in General
Everyone in every neighborhood has a role. That’s the contest we’re in—every voice matters.
Once again, Rabbi Timoner was quoted in an article about Jewish Americans confronting antisemitism. Click here to read the article.
in General
“Rabbi Rachel Timoner became increasingly worried that New York City Mayor Eric Adams was only hearing from conservative Orthodox Jewish leaders. So the progressive Park Slope rabbi invited 55 women clergy for a meeting with the mayor.”
Yasher koach to Rabbi Rabbi Timoner for being named among City and State NY‘s Faith Power 100! The list celebrates the most influential faith leaders in NYC, and we are extremely proud to see her many accomplishments recognized. Click here to read the full article.
in Featured
“We are all trying to figure out how to be Jews in the 21st century,” said Rabbi Matt Green, who led the blessings. “And this is it.”
Rabbi Green was featured in a New York Times article, “Shabbat is a Salve, and a Scene” about the ways in which young people are embracing Shabbat during a time of increased antisemitism. Read it here.
in Featured
Rabbi Rachel Timoner had always cherished Israel as a haven where Jews could aspire to their highest ideals. But after Benjamin Netanyahu won a sixth term as prime minister with the help of two far-right parties this month, she was shaken.
Rabbi Timoner and several CBE members were quoted in The New York Times‘ article, “Netanyahu’s Comeback Widens Divide Over Israel Among American Jews.” Read it here.
in Featured
“By going to this play, you are engaging with Judaism,” [Rabbi] Green said. “It’s not just about inspiring people to be involved with Judaism, but actually, it is a Jewish act to see this play.”
The Gett, which CBE co-commissioned with Rattlestick Theater, was covered in Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Read the article here.
in Featured
The events at Congregation Beth Elohim grew out of a chance encounter with the synagogue’s assistant rabbi, Matt Green, 32. He first met Mr. Rinksy in an O.J.M.-branded baseball cap.
“I asked him where he got it, and it turned out he was the genius behind the Instagram account,” Rabbi Green said. ‘I introduced myself as a rabbi, and we got to talking.
Rabbi Matt Green was quoted in The New York Times‘ coverage of the Old Jewish Men Fall Ball, which took place at CBE. Click here to read the full article.
in Featured
Our member Margery Cooper recently spoke to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency about climate change, a top policy concern for American Jews. Click here to read her thoughts on the importance of climate advocacy and her work with CBE’s Dayenu Circle.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, another CBE member, is also mentioned. He recently led the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, a $370 billion climate bill.
in Featured
A rabbi, a minister, and an imam walked into Lincoln Center—and the rabbi was our very own Matt Green! Rabbi Green was the rabbi for Lincoln Center’s Celebrate Love: A (Re)Wedding, a symbolic marriage ceremony for couples whose weddings had been postponed due to the pandemic.
in General
“As Jews, we ought to be contributing our voices to the reduction of gun violence.”
—Rabbi Timoner
in General
NPR’s Weekend Edition featured our recent Havdalah service, where we gathered on the steps of CBE in the wake of the Roe decision. Rabbi Timoner and Rabbi Kolin were both quoted in the piece. To paraphrase Rabbi Kolin, we will continue to demand sweetness from this world even when it feels the most bitter.
in General
This year, Rabbi Timoner was featured in The New York Jewish Week‘s 36 to Watch 2022! KM “DiCo” DiColandrea, former assistant director at CBE’s Yachad, was also recognized. We’re excited to see their work honored.
To read more about them and other Jewish New Yorkers making a difference in our community, click here.
“The current campaign that advocates for the teaching of the rudiments of secular education in ultra-Orthodox schools in New York State […] arose in response to the alarming numbers — in the tens of thousands, according to Yaffed — of Jewish children in New York State being denied the building blocks of secular knowledge. Without this education, there is a high likelihood of poverty.”
On Thursday, May 24th, Rabbi Rachel Timoner organized a group of 55 women and women-identifying rabbis and cantors to speak to Mayor Eric Adams. Representing all denominations, the group marks the largest and first ever group of women rabbis and cantors to speak to a NYC mayor.
Watch Rabbi Timoner address the press here:
Rabbi @rtimoner said that this is the largest and first ever meeting of women rabbis and cantors with a mayor of NYC.
“This is the face of Jewish leadership in New York City,” Timoner said. pic.twitter.com/dgD7Ot8aIV
— Jacob Henry (@jhenrynews) May 19, 2022
Read coverage of this event in The Forward, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, The Jerusalem Post, and The Times of Israel.