MEET THE MOMENT
Our most basic democratic rights are being threatened. The most vulnerable among us are being targeted and abused. Our country is dangerously divided.
Now is the time to act. At CBE, we are heeding the call in Rabbi Timoner’s Rosh Hashanah 5786 sermon: we are leaning into our Jewish tradition with our whole selves—and embracing this tradition’s insistence that we use our lives toward a higher purpose, by taking meaningful action for a more just and gentle world.
We have opportunities for everyone to make an impact. Please visit the Refugee Task Force and Democracy Team pages for details.
HEALING THE WORLD
The Jewish value of tikkun olam, healing the world, is at the heart of CBE’s identity. If you would like opportunities to do good and create change in the world, CBE is a place to get involved. We welcome you to bring your skills, commitments, and heart to any or all of our social justice initiatives.
Neutrality when life is at risk is not a Jewish value. Silence in the face of injustice is not a Jewish value. The Jewish thing to do is to take a stand, to speak, to act. —Rabbi Rachel Timoner
ONGOING INITIATIVES
Looking for a concrete way to protect our planet for generations to come? Contact CBE Members, Margery Cooper or Emily Sachs to learn more about this initiative.
The Dismantling Racism Team (DRT) is part of CBE’s larger history and commitment to pursuing social justice for all. We have two main working groups that we warmly welcome all interested members of the congregation to become part of. The group is open to non-members as well. If you are interested in learning more and/or attending please email: cbedismantlingracismteam@cbebk.org
-The Antiracism Working Group focuses on CBE’s own congregational norms, practices, and policies, with the goal of making CBE an antiracist congregation and a more inclusive community for all, including congregants, worshipers, family members, guests, and students.
-The Advocacy Working Group is actively engaged in advocacy, in alliance with more directly impacted groups, for reforms of the state and local criminal legal system. The group’s efforts have included participating in the Raise the Age coalition to sharply curtail the prosecution of teenagers as adults, helping pass laws eliminating cash bail, and more recently, advocating for police reforms to end police brutality.
On March 1, 2021 as part of CBE’s speaker series “Member Mondays,” the DRT presented “#LessIsMoreNY: A Conversation on Combating Racism Through Parole Reform”. Click here to watch our presentation
Learn more here about how you can join CBE’s Refugee Task Force.
For nine weeks each year, CBE operates a shelter in the Rotunda of our Sanctuary building, providing a warm, safe place to sleep, along with a hot meal, for our guests. The shelter is run entirely by volunteers, coordinated by CBE congregants, and supported by members and non-members alike. Volunteers may sign up to provide dinner, dessert, or stay overnight. A volunteer Evening Coordinator each night assists with the dinner and overnight volunteers. Talk to your friends about volunteering together! This is also a community service opportunity for teens; we are glad to provide a letter for schools. The signup calendar is now live. Questions? Email shelter@cbebk.org or Carol Shuchman.
Thanks to our community’s generosity, the CBE K’far Aza Healing Committee has raised $300,000 for our sister community in Israel. But our support—and prayers—are still needed.
More information: https://cbebk.org/kfar-aza/
GET INVOLVED
Click the button below to stay in touch with the Tikkun Alliance and learn more about social justice opportunities with CBE.
Are you interested in becoming a member of CBE? Click here to learn more about membership.