MEET THE MOMENT: Responding to Attacks on Democracy
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.
To make as powerful an impact as possible in protecting our democracy and our immigrant neighbors, we are currently focused on these four main projects. Click here to learn more and sign up.
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.
We need your help and support!
As we look to serve our community and practice Tikkun Olam in our small part of the world, the Respite Bed Shelter at Congregation Beth Elohim (CBE), in partnership with the social service agency CAMBA and as a member of the NYC Emergency Shelter Network, is proud to operate a Respite Bed Shelter five nights a week (Sunday thru Thursday) for two months that provides 6 to 8 men with a hot meal, a safe place to sleep and a sense of community and dignity. We use space in the Rotunda below the Sanctuary on Garfield Place @ 8th Avenue in Park Slope, Brooklyn. We have been doing this since 2014.
Prior to their arrival at our Shelter, CAMBA, Brooklyn’s largest social service agency, ensures that all shelter guests are screened for the following: visual assessment for alcohol and drug sobriety and general hygiene, health assessment including respiratory and COVID symptoms and TB, psychiatric and psychosocial evaluations by a competent professional as well as screening for weapons and contraband prior to leaving CAMBA’s drop-in center.
The men we serve come from all walks of life, united by the shared hardship of homelessness. Some are working during the day but lack a safe place to return to at night. Without our beds, many would have no alternative.
Except for an overnight security guard, our shelter is entirely powered by volunteers, from CBE members to our extended network of friends, including other local synagogues, churches, schools, and community groups.
We operate the shelter for eight weeks in April and May from Sunday thru Thursday nights. Every year, over 120 volunteers have provided delicious food and warm, safe shelter to homeless guests each night. Volunteers may sign up to provide and serve dinner or to stay overnight. They may also drop off dessert. There is a volunteer Evening Coordinator each night to assist the dinner and overnight volunteers. Individuals, families or groups of friends may sign up. Talk to your friends about volunteering together! This is also an opportunity for community service for teens; we are glad to provide a letter for schools.
From home-cooked meals delivered by members of the community to friendly faces serving and joining our guests for dinner, to our dedicated overnight volunteers who spend the evening to ensure everything goes according to plan, Congregation Beth Elohim is more than a house of worship—it’s a home for those who need one most.
Thank you so much to those who have volunteered for the CBE Respite Bed Shelter. Whether you purchased items for the pantry, signed up as an evening coordinator, prepared and served dinner, brought dessert or volunteered overnight, your contribution makes a big difference to the community we support. We’re deeply grateful for the collective spirit that makes this program possible.
We look forward to having you join us this year. Sign-up now!
Questions? Contact:
Carol Shuchman, CBE Respite Bed Shelter
shelter@cbebk.org (917) 589-8972
Rabbi Evan Traylor, CBE Assistant Rabbi
etraylor@cbebk.org
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.