Dear CBST Community,

For 50 years, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah has been praying, celebrating, dancing, mourning, singing, learning, and fighting for social justice. As we enter 2023, we are thrilled to celebrate our 50th Anniversary year.

The CBST clergy, staff, and board are excited to honor this Yovel (Jubilee Year) with each of you. There will be many activities throughout the year, including an Open House on June 4, culminating in a major concert and event in December 2023.

For each month of 2023, we have chosen one Friday night to focus on the stories and experiences that make us CBST. Each of these twelve Friday nights will correspond to a chapter in Rabbi Ayelet Cohen’s book Changing Lives, Making History: Congregation Beit Simchat Torah.

We are planning a variety of programming both during and after the service, including interviews, in-depth studies, special music and liturgical highlights, and more.

Below is a list of each of these evenings, along with the corresponding chapter in the book. Please read the chapter along with us each month!

The first one will be on Friday, January 27, with an oneg discussion after services with our two Cooperberg-Rittmaster Rabbinical Interns interviewing long-time CBST members Saul Zalkin and Regina Linder about their memories of CBST from the early days. 

In 2023, we are offering Rabbi Cohen’s book at a discounted rate of $36. (If this presents a financial burden, please let us know and we can make other arrangements.) Click here to order your copy today.

We encourage you to read the chapter that corresponds to each month, in order to enrich your connection to CBST and actively participate in our year-long celebration. We cannot wait to celebrate with you!

B’virkat shalom / With Blessings of Peace,