A Sacred Community
CBST is not only a place to pray, but also to gather and share ancient and emerging Jewish rituals.
The First Weddings / Brit Ahavah
There wasn’t much demand for ceremonies of commitment during the 1970’s. Yet long before weddings became popular among same-sex couples, a few ceremonies were held incorporating many elements from the Jewish wedding as a ceremony of unity.
As time went on, more CBST couples in long-term relationships celebrated anniversaries with parties and Kiddush sponsorships. In 1988, a couple announced their intention to celebrate their brit ahavah (literally “covenant of love”).
This was controversial. Was legal or religious marriage a right for gay men or lesbians? Would aping heterosexual customs mean abandoning gay culture? Could same-sex marriage be sanctioned by Jewish law? Would the practice at CBST damage its credibility among Orthodox Jews? After serious debate, the groundbreaking brit ahavah ceremony took place.
Commitment Ceremonies, Civil Unions, and Weddings
In the 1980’s, local, willing rabbis were called upon to officiate. A get (divorce) document was created with gender sensitive language.
By the 1990s, a wedding would be considered an appropriate rite and cause for celebration.
Coming out to extended family, friends, and colleagues could be complicated - painful or an opportunity for repair.
A Place for New Rituals / Choosing Judaism
CBST created lifecycle rituals that evolved into a central source for the LGBTQ people and those who welcomed them everywhere.
Seeking a place that would affirm their unique spiritual path and celebrate their gender identity and sexual orientation, some of the most active members chose to study for their conversion to Judaism.
B’nai Mitzvah / Families with Children
There were very few b’nai mitzvah at CBST in the early days. CBST developed rituals and services for virtually every other stage of life long before it became common to welcome babies into the community.
There were always a few congregants with children and grandchildren from previous straight relationships. The subject of children was painful for many at CBST. After coming out, some members lost contact with their children in brutal custody battles or were estranged from children who rejected them when learning their parent was gay.
In the 1990s, CBST began to witness a transition to intentional LGBT families. Technology and law were catching up to the times.
Obligations of a Jewish Community
CBST has become a family of choice for many. Members share a strong sense of community responsibility, stepping forward for one another in times of need.
From Shopping Bag to Sanctuary