Rabbi Kleinbaum named one of Newsweek's top 50 rabbis in AmericaRabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, the leader of New York's Congregation Beth Simchat Torah (CBST), has been named one of Newsweek magazine's Top 50 Rabbis in America. Rabbi Kleinbaum, who is openly gay, came in at number 19 and was the first of only five females to be listed.
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CBST has created "lifecycle events" or celebrations for people whose achievements and milestones often go unrecognized by mainstream religions and are sometimes even shunned. These include blessings for people who are in same-sex relationships as well as for people who are either transgender or transitioning by changing their name or identity.
"We believe that religion is about marking important moments in our lives and no matter what somebody's definition of God is—we don't have a litmus test—we do believe that everybody can experience meaning and purpose in their lives," explained Kleinbaum. "We have been about really trying to figure out, What does it mean to be a person in this modern world? What does it mean to live a life of meaning and purpose?"
