ABOVE: Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, photo via Facebook.
President Biden announced July 30 he plans to nominate the chief rabbi of an LGBTQ synagogue in New York City to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.
Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum joined Congregation Beit Simchat Torah in 1992.
She was installed as CBST’s first rabbi in 1992, arriving at the height of the AIDS crisis when the synagogue was in desperate need of pastoral care and spiritual leadership,” reads a bio that announced Biden’s intention to nominate Kleinbaum to the commission.
“She guided the congregation through a period of loss and change, while addressing social issues and building a strong and deeply spiritual community,” it continues. “Under her leadership as senior rabbi, CBST has become a powerful voice in the movement for equality and justice for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.”
Kleinbaum is married to American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten.
The commission seeks to defend religious freedom in the U.S. and around the world. The president and Democratic and Republican leaders in Congress nominate members.
