A Special Message from Rabbi Kleinbaum
This eNews is the last one before the elections on Tuesday. I've said it many times, but I'll say it again: no one can do everything, but everyone can do something, and the thing we must all do now is vote in these 2020 elections.

In Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's office hung this quote: "Tzedek Tzedek Tirdof—Justice, justice you shall pursue." This year, we seek justice at the ballot box.

I urge you: vote. Vote early, vote in person if you can do so safely, and help those you love to vote, too, wherever and whenever possible.

CBST Votes (cbst.org/vote) wants to make sure your vote counts. If you have any questions, please email vote@cbst.org or call the CBST Votes Hotline, 646-504-6102 (9:00am to 9:00pm daily).

We are also hosting events the night of and the day following the election. Join us! Find comfort in our community, listen, and share.
—Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum
Featured Events
Election Night Gathering—Tikkun Leil Election
Tuesday, November 3, 8:00-11:00pm
As the polls close on Election Day, T’ruah’s Tikkun Leil Election along with co-sponsor CBST and others will have moments of music, learning, and meditation. 

Day-After-Election CBST Gathering
Wednesday, November 4, 7:00-8:00pm
Our community gathers to process, reflect, and pray on the 2020 election.
Events This Week
The deadline for registration for Hebrew classes is Friday, November 6.
Friday, October 30
Mussar Meditations Series
8:30am
Rabbi Moskowitz teaches Path of the Just by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, also known as the Ramchal. These 15-minute sessions meet every day except Shabbat.

Connecting in Community
with Cooperberg-Rittmaster Rabbinical Fellow Deborah Megdal
3:00-4:00pm
In these challenging times, we show up for each other with an open heart and loving presence. Join Cooperberg-Rittmaster Rabbinical Fellow Deborah Megdal for a short text study and discussion in small groups, as we transition into Shabbat. Newcomers and “drop-ins” always welcome! No registration required.

Dial in by phone: 646-876-9923
Meeting ID: 256 347 787
Need tech help during a service? 
Text 646-450-3556
Saturday, October 31
Shabbat Morning Torah Study
9:30am
Dial-in by phone: 646-876-9923
Meeting ID: 830 2159 2496
Havdalah
Service beings at 8:00pm
Post-service program begins at 8:30pm
Dial-in by phone: 646-876-9923
Meeting ID: 654 880 356
Sunday, November 1
Mussar Meditations Series
8:30am
Rabbi Moskowitz teaches Path of the Just by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, also known as the Ramchal.

CBST Parents Group
5:00-6:00pm on November 1, 8, 15 & 22
This discussion group facilitated by Dr. Diane Burhenne will focus on self-care for all who are caregivers for children.
Register by emailing Jennifer Kleinbaum, jkleinbaum@cbst.org.
Monday, November 2
Mussar Meditations Series
8:30am
Rabbi Moskowitz teaches Path of the Just by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, also known as the Ramchal.

Bet (Part II) - Hebrew Class
9:00-9:50am
With CBST Educator Miya Rotstein.
Psalm Study with Rabbi Kleinbaum
10:00-10:45am
Dial in by phone: 646-876-9923
Meeting ID: 513 468 144
Write to Jesse Katz jkatz@cbst.org to join the Psalms Study mailing list

Pirkei Avot Study with Rabbi Moskowitz
2:30-2:55pm
Rabbi Moskowitz continues the study of Pirkei Avot, the foundational text of Jewish ethical teaching.

Talmud Study
3:00-3:45pm 
This Talmud Study group meets regularly to study with Rabbi Mike Moskowitz.
Registration is currently closed. If you are interested in joining a wait list for the next class in Talmud to open please write to jkatz@cbst.org. Some Hebrew language background is helpful, but not required. 

Mishpachah Monday! Online Dinner 
5:00-6:00pm
Dial in by phone: 646-876-9923
Meeting ID: 513 521 023
Tuesday, November 3
Mussar Meditations Series
8:30am
Rabbi Moskowitz teaches Path of the Just by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, also known as the Ramchal.

Alef (Part II) - Hebrew Class
9:00-9:50am
With CBST educator Miya Rotstein.

Psalm Study with Rabbi Kleinbaum
10:00-10:45am
Dial in by phone: 646-876-9923
Meeting ID: 513 468 144

Pirkei Avot Study with Rabbi Moskowitz
2:30-2:55pm
Rabbi Moskowitz continues the study of Pirkei Avot, the foundational text of Jewish ethical teaching.

Talmud Study
3:00-3:45pm 
With Rabbi Moskowitz.

Alef Beginners - Hebrew Class
6:00-7:00pm
With CBST educator Ron Weiss.

Living Successfully with HIV & AIDS—A Supportive Gathering
6:00-8:00pm

Election Night Gathering—Tikkun Leil Election
8:00-11:00pm
Wednesday, November 4
Mussar Meditations Series
8:30am
Rabbi Moskowitz teaches Path of the Just by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, also known as the Ramchal.

Bet (Part II) - Hebrew Class
9:00-9:50am
With Miya Rotstein.

Psalm Study with Rabbi Kleinbaum
10:00-10:45am
Dial in by phone: 646-876-9923
Meeting ID: 513 468 144

Pirkei Avot Study with Rabbi Moskowitz
2:30-2:55pm
Rabbi Moskowitz continues the study of Pirkei Avot, the foundational text of Jewish ethical teaching.

Talmud Study
3:00-3:45pm 
With Rabbi Moskowitz.

Lashon Kodesh: The Language of Prayer
6:00-7:00pm
With Rabbi Rapport.

Sanctuary at CBST: Pro Se Immigration Legal Clinic
6:00-8:30pm

Day-After-Election CBST Gathering
7:00-8:00pm
Thursday, November 5
Mussar Meditations Series
8:30am
Rabbi Moskowitz teaches Path of the Just by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, also known as the Ramchal.

Alef (Part II) - Hebrew Class
9:00-9:50am
With Miya Rotstein.

Psalm Study with Rabbi Kleinbaum
10:00-10:45am
Dial in by phone: 646-876-9923
Meeting ID: 513 468 144

RESISTANCE: Calls & Cards meets Democracy Action Team
12:30-1:15pm
Dial in by phone: 646-876-9923 
Meeting ID: 874 4181 8544

Pirkei Avot Study with Rabbi Moskowitz
2:30-2:55pm
Rabbi Moskowitz continues the study of Pirkei Avot, the foundational text of Jewish ethical teaching.

Talmud Study
3:00-3:45pm 
With Rabbi Moskowitz.

Alef Beginners - Hebrew Class
6:00-7:00pm
With Ron Weiss.

Sanctuary at CBST: Pro Se Immigration Legal Clinic
6:00-8:30pm
Giving
📷 Rabbi Kleinbaum in protest with AFT on the El Paso / Mexico border, 2018. Photo by Harold Levine.
Immigrants and asylum seekers are heartlessly challenged by the US government.
Let’s help our immigrant friends meet the challenge.
Your contribution will be matched 
now through Chanukah, up to $25,000 by the 
CBST Jonathan David Grindell Memorial Fund for Social Justice.

Please Give to CBST

CBST is committed to providing spiritual space, learning opportunities, social justice, and a vibrant, connected community. Every contribution helps make CBST a reality.
Picture of the Week 📸
From CBST member Larry Finkelstein: "I live in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, and my early voting location is Fort Hamilton High School. I went there Saturday afternoon and the line was 4 hours long.

Then I read on Facebook and heard in Psalms Class the suggestion to get there shortly before closing. My location closed at 3:00pm Monday. I got on line at 2:45pm and was finished at 3:00pm. I only waited 10 minutes before getting my ballot! Thanks to CBST, I had a fruitful and painless voting experience. Thank you for your hard work!"

Email your voting photos to us at vote@cbst.org. We can't wait to see them!
In Case You Missed It
Cooperberg-Rittmaster Rabbinical Fellow Deborah Megdal: "In Isaiah’s vision, the absence of evil is epitomized by non-violence between all living beings. I challenge us all to ask ourselves, tonight, but also continuously throughout our lives, 'How can we bring our world closer to this ideal of the World to Come?' And we have to prepare ourselves, because our most honest answer to this question may involve personal sacrifice. The most important moral commitments usually do."

Last week’s parsha, Noach, includes the words: Zot ot habrit asher ani notein beini u’veineichem, u’vein kol nefesh chaya asher itchem l’dorot olam. This is the sign of the covenant I make between Me and you, and every living being with you throughout all time, from generation to generation.

Cantor Benjie Ellen Schiller’s expressive setting illuminates God’s words of promise. The image of the rainbow has served as an inspiration to the LGBTQ+ community and to all of humanity as a sign of God’s covenant.

Cantor Schiller serves the congregation at Bet Am Shalom in White Plains, and is Professor of Cantorial Arts at the Hebrew Union College’s Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music.

Community Announcements
Save the Date!
On the night of Tuesday, December 15, Seth Rudetsky brings Broadway Stars to CBST! Join us for an intimate evening to benefit CBST. Details soon!
Aleinu Physically Distant Central Park Walk
📷: Pierre Blanché via Pixabay
Nov 8 at 1:00pm
Our Aleinu community for 20-and-30-somethings will gather for fresh air and to enjoy the fall foliage of Central Park. We will responsibly distance, but will walk as a group.

Senior Sermon by Rabbinical Fellow Deborah Megdal
Nov 12 at 2:20pm
The CBST community is lovingly and joyously invited to the Senior Sermon delivered by Cooperberg-Rittmaster Rabbinical Fellow Deborah Megdal. We are so grateful to Deborah for her sterling service to CBST. Among her many accomplishments, Deborah was the creator and is the current leader of our weekly Connecting in Community program, which has been vital for so many. Deborah is in her final year of studies at The Jewish Theological Seminary, and will be ordained and join the rabbinate this spring.

Her senior sermon will start with a short mincha service (afternoon prayer) led by Rabbi Shoshi Goldberg, and the program will conclude at 2:45pm.

To attend online, go to: columbiauniversity.zoom.us/j/8327815061

Photo/Design: Karen Benezra
Today's Israeli Poets as Change Agents
Nov 12 & 19; Dec 3, 7 & 10
6:00-7:15 pm

Explore how contemporary feminist, Mizrachi, LGBTQ, and Palestinian Israeli poets are using their Hebrew poetry to open conversations about self and society. Taught by long-standing CBST Member Rabbi Reuven Greenvald, the Union for Reform Judaism Director of Israel Engagement.


Special Shabbatot

Nov 13—Kristallnacht with German-Austrian Jewish Music Shabbat

Dec 4—World AIDS Day Shabbat

Dec 11—Shabbat Hannukah

Dec 18—Board Installation Shabbat

For CBST Members

Nov 16 at 6:00pm—Town Hall: "Medical updates in this chapter of COVID-19." Rabbi Kleinbaum will be in conversation with Dr. Nathan Goldstein. Learn more >>

Dec 21 at 6:00pm—Town Hall: "What Matters: How to Do Long Term Advance Care Planning"

Dec 10 at 6:00pm—New Members Gathering
 
Dec 17 at 6:00pm—CBST Annual Meeting >>

Interested in becoming a member? Learn more here or email Ruth Kleinman, rkleinman@cbst.org.