Congregation Beit Simchat Torah

Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
Religion
Affiliation	Judaism
Rite	Non-denominational / Progressive
Ecclesiastical or organizational status	Synagogue
Leadership	Rabbi Jason Klein; Rabbi Yael Werber;
Status	Active
Location
Location	130 West 30th Street, Midtown, Manhattan, New York City, New York
Country	United States
	Location in Manhattan
Geographic coordinates	40°44′13″N 74°00′31″W / 40.737047°N 74.008652°W
Architecture
Type	Commercial building (1927); Residential building (2003);
Founder	Jacob Gubbay and others
Date established	1973 (as a congregation)
Completed	2016 (as a synagogue)
Website
	cbst.org
	[self-published source?]

Congregation Beit Simchat Torah ("CBST") is a non-denominational, pluralistic, progressive LGBTQ+ Jewish synagogue located at 130 West 30th Street, in Manhattan New York City, New York, United States.

The congregation was founded in 1973 by and for LGBTQ people,^[3] and is the world's largest LGBT synagogue.^[4] CBST serves Jews of all sexual orientations and gender identities, their families and friends.^[5] From 1992-2024, the congregation was led by Senior Rabbi Emerita Sharon Kleinbaum.^[6] Current clergy include Senior Rabbi Jason Klein, Associate Rabbi Yael Werber, and Cantor Sam Rosen. CBST is not affiliated with any denomination or branch of Judaism.

^ "About". Congregation Beit Simchat Torah. October 5, 2012. Archived from the original on July 18, 2009. Retrieved February 24, 2021. Congregation Beit Simchat Torah (CBST) is a vibrant spiritual community and a progressive voice within Judaism. Founded in 1973, CBST attracts and welcomes gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, transgender, queer and straight, individuals and families who share common values. Passionate, provocative, and deeply Jewish, CBST champions a Judaism that rejoices in diversity, denounces social injustice wherever it exists, and strives for the human rights for all people.^{[self-published source?]}
^ Kurshan, Virginia (November 13, 2001). 130 West 30th Street Building Designation Report (List 331, LP-210) (PDF). New York City: New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
^ "About: Mission and Values". Congregation Beit Simchat Torah. October 5, 2012. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
^ Ingall, Marjorie (April 1, 2016). "CBST, the World's Largest LGBT Synagogue, Gets a New Home". Tablet Magazine. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
^ Weiss, Anthony. "Gay Acceptance and Gay Synagogues". Keshet Ga'avah: The World Congress of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Jews. GLBTJews.org. Archived from the original on April 8, 2013. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
^ "Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, Congregation Bet Simchat Torah, New York City". Religion & Culture: Meeting the Challenge of Pluralism (a Ford Foundation project). Archived from the original on March 21, 2012. Retrieved October 14, 2013.

[1] "About". Congregation Beit Simchat Torah. October 5, 2012. Archived from the original on July 18, 2009. Retrieved February 24, 2021. Congregation Beit Simchat Torah (CBST) is a vibrant spiritual community and a progressive voice within Judaism. Founded in 1973, CBST attracts and welcomes gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, transgender, queer and straight, individuals and families who share common values. Passionate, provocative, and deeply Jewish, CBST champions a Judaism that rejoices in diversity, denounces social injustice wherever it exists, and strives for the human rights for all people.^{[self-published source?]}

[landmark-2] Kurshan, Virginia (November 13, 2001). 130 West 30th Street Building Designation Report (List 331, LP-210) (PDF). New York City: New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. Retrieved December 20, 2023.

[cbst-about-3] "About: Mission and Values". Congregation Beit Simchat Torah. October 5, 2012. Retrieved October 14, 2013.

[4] Ingall, Marjorie (April 1, 2016). "CBST, the World's Largest LGBT Synagogue, Gets a New Home". Tablet Magazine. Retrieved June 27, 2019.

[keshetgaavah-tagline-5] Weiss, Anthony. "Gay Acceptance and Gay Synagogues". Keshet Ga'avah: The World Congress of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Jews. GLBTJews.org. Archived from the original on April 8, 2013. Retrieved October 14, 2013.

[Kleinbaum-RC-6] "Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, Congregation Bet Simchat Torah, New York City". Religion & Culture: Meeting the Challenge of Pluralism (a Ford Foundation project). Archived from the original on March 21, 2012. Retrieved October 14, 2013.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]