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.
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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.
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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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“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.
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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.
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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.
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“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.
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“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.
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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.
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“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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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“As Jews, we ought to be contributing our voices to the reduction of gun violence.”
—Rabbi Timoner
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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.
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