Clergy - Congregation Beth Elohim

June 26, 2019October 5, 2019 by CBEBK

Creating Sanctuaries through Crises

By Rabbi Rachel Timoner

When innocent children are separated from their parents and held in camps, we are in a crisis.

When two synagogues experience Antisemitic murders within six months, we are in a crisis.

When hate and scapegoating are whipped up by the leader of the country, we are in a crisis.

When the president vilifies the press and threatens the freedom of the press, we are in a crisis.

When the president defies and delegitimizes Constitutionally-mandated oversight by Congress, we are in a crisis.

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June 7, 2019June 10, 2019 by CBEBK

Fellow Dykes: We Must Be Both Pro-Israel And Pro-Palestine

By Rabbi Rachel Timoner

I remember the first Dyke March, organized by the Lesbian Avengers in 1993 during the LGBT March on Washington. I was there, and I remember feeling that I was finally free — that we dykes could claim all of who we were — our full and complex identities, our bodies, our love, our commitments to equality and justice for all — and be utterly unashamed. It, and the subsequent marches since all over the country, have been profoundly liberating for so many people.

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February 6, 2019June 28, 2019 by CBEBK

Making Space for New Leaders in the Reform Movement

Rabbi Matthew L. Green identified as “an exceptionally innovative leader” in an article written by Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of Union for Reform Judaism. Article originally published on urj.org.

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October 2, 2018November 27, 2018 by CBEBK

Sukkot Song of the Day with Cantor Breitzer

Cantor Josh Breitzer recently contributed to the New York Festival of Song’s Song of the Day series, highlighting specific songs that connect with corresponding days of Sukkot.

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June 10, 2018July 12, 2018 by CBEBK

The Prayer of Endings

Farewell Speech from Rabbi Marc Katz
Marc’s Last Lap Farewell Event, June 3, 2018

The amazing thing about the Jewish tradition is that there is a prayer for everything. There is a prayer for new beginnings, a prayer for seeing lightning and a different prayer for the rainbow after the storm. There is a prayer for seeing a beautiful person, and prayer for smelling a flower, even a prayer for using the bathroom.

But my favorite prayer has always been the prayer of endings, because it completely defies expectations.

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June 8, 2018July 12, 2018 by CBEBK

36 Under 36: Rabbi Matt Green

LGBQT Leadership
Bringing Young Ideas to Veteran Institutions

In 11th annual installment of The Jewish Week’s 36 Under 36 special section, CBE’s Assosiate Rabbi, Matt Green was recognized as one of the The New Bridge Builders; a group of leading changemakers reaching across divides and edging the Jewish community forward.

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April 19, 2018July 12, 2018 by CBEBK

Matt Green is Growing A Millennial Network

Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, talks about how leaders like CBE’s rabbinic intern, Matt Green, are building community through new models of belonging.

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January 25, 2018February 27, 2020 by CBEBK

Rabbi Rebecca Epstein Joins Clergy Team

Last month, we shared the bittersweet news that Rabbi Katz will be leaving CBE at the end of June to lead Temple Ner Tamid in Bloomfield, New Jersey. You can see that announcement and Marc’s beautiful letter to the congregation here. Four weeks ago, we were thrilled to announce that Matt Green will become CBE’s new Assistant Rabbi after he is ordained in the spring. You can see that announcement and read about Matt’s stellar achievements here. Today, we share the exciting news that CBE is expanding our clergy team with a third rabbi, and to introduce you to Rabbi Rebecca Epstein.

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December 20, 2017July 12, 2018 by CBEBK

Our New Assistant Rabbi

Dear CBE Community,

We hope that you’ve had a chance to read Rabbi Marc Katz’s announcement last week. While it is not possible to ever replace Rabbi Katz at CBE, and while his imprint will remain on our community and on our lives for many years to come, we are grateful to have an extraordinary new rabbi ready to serve our community in his own unique way. We are thrilled to share the wonderful news that Matt Green will be CBE’s new Assistant Rabbi beginning on July 1, 2018.

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December 13, 2017July 12, 2018 by CBEBK

A Letter From Rabbi Katz

To My CBE Family,

It is with excitement for the future and gratitude for the last ten years that I announce I will become the Rabbi at Temple Ner Tamid in Bloomfield, N.J. starting July 1st.

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December 5, 2017July 12, 2018 by CBEBK

Cantor Breitzer’s Sabbatical

Dear CBE Community,

I’m pleased to let you know that after six and a half years of faithful service to our congregation, Cantor Josh Breitzer will be taking a sabbatical from January through June of 2018.

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November 7, 2017July 12, 2018 by CBEBK

Rabbi Roundtable from the Forward

Rabbi Rachel Timoner and other leading rabbis from all corners of the Jewish world are asked their thoughts on the most pressing issues of today in a series of articles from the Forward.

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October 3, 2017July 12, 2018 by CBEBK

High Holy Day Sermons 5778

Take a listen to the moving and inspiring High Holy Day sermons from Rabbi Rachel Timoner and CBE president, Jonathan Fried using the playlist below. Also check out our sermon archive for corresponding text and other historical addresses.

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