Information
- Location:
- Atlanta, GA, 30329
- Phone:
- 404-315-6446
Events
1 upcoming eventSee All
- Jay Michaelson Speaks at CBH
CCUCC
Friday, November 13 at 7:30pm
Congregation Bet Haverim
Author, scholar, and Jewish activist Jay Michaelson will be speaking at Congregation Bet Haverim’s Shabbat services on Friday, November 13. Join us for this exciting guest speaker and learn more about his newest book “Everything is God: The Radical Path of Nondual Judaism”
Find out more about Jay Michaelson at: http://www.jaymichaelson.net/
You don't want to miss this!
Time:7:30PM Friday, November 13th
Location:CCUCC
Congregation Bet Haverim
Come Celebrate the Release of Torah Queeries!
Congregation Bet Haverim, The Rainbow Center, and Rabbi Josh invite you to join us for the Release Party of Torah Queeries! Light appetizers and drinks will be served.
A labor of intellectual rigor, social justice, and personal passions, TORAH QUEERIES is an exciting and imp...ortant contribution to the project of democratizing Jewish communities, and an essential guide to understanding the intersection of queerness and Jewishness.
We hope to see you there!
Read More
Congregation Bet Haverim, The Rainbow Center, and Rabbi Josh invite you to join us for the Release Party of Torah Queeries! Light appetizers and drinks will be served.
A labor of intellectual rigor, social justice, and personal passions, TORAH QUEERIES is an exciting and imp...ortant contribution to the project of democratizing Jewish communities, and an essential guide to understanding the intersection of queerness and Jewishness.
We hope to see you there!
Read More
with Rabbi Joshua Lesser
Time:7:00PM Wednesday, October 28th
Location:OwenLawrence
Congregation Bet Haverim
Fall in Love this Year
Embedded in the tradition of Rosh Hashanah is a love story for the creation of the world. The fabric of love that binds all creation together serves as a powerful potential. Rosh Hashanah declares that we should open our hearts to each other. Jewish legend says that Sarah and other matriarchs conc...eived on Rosh Hashanah by this opening of love.
This year the CBH chorus and string quartet will present a pre-service musical offering focusing on the wonders of love and how it binds all of creation. We are creating this unique setting this year to receive the gift of music and love poetry as a vehicle for preparation and reflection for the Days of Awe. We begin before the beginning by setting our intention on this year being a year of creation, beauty, love, potential, and fertility.
7:30 FIVE HEBREW LOVE SONGS by Eric Whitacre
The CBH Chorus and String Quartet under the direction of Will Robertson
8:00 Kabbalat Shabbat and Rosh Hashanah Ma’ariv
Read More
Embedded in the tradition of Rosh Hashanah is a love story for the creation of the world. The fabric of love that binds all creation together serves as a powerful potential. Rosh Hashanah declares that we should open our hearts to each other. Jewish legend says that Sarah and other matriarchs conc...eived on Rosh Hashanah by this opening of love.
This year the CBH chorus and string quartet will present a pre-service musical offering focusing on the wonders of love and how it binds all of creation. We are creating this unique setting this year to receive the gift of music and love poetry as a vehicle for preparation and reflection for the Days of Awe. We begin before the beginning by setting our intention on this year being a year of creation, beauty, love, potential, and fertility.
7:30 FIVE HEBREW LOVE SONGS by Eric Whitacre
The CBH Chorus and String Quartet under the direction of Will Robertson
8:00 Kabbalat Shabbat and Rosh Hashanah Ma’ariv
Read More
Eric Whitacre's Five Hebrew Love Songs
Time:7:30PM Friday, September 18th
Location:St. Bart's
Congregation Bet Haverim
Join us for the High Holy Days! Congregation Bet Haverim is wonderfully different. CBH is different because we were founded by gays and lesbians and now enthusiastically embrace all Jews, especially those who don't quite fit the mold and have grown tired of feeling different. This distinction is at the very heart of wh...y we were founded and became affiliated with the Reconstructionist movement. CBH is a thriving community where different has evolved into a celebration of diversity with uplifting, new traditions built upon solid Jewish traditions and values.
The daily spirit of Congregation Bet Haverim is casual, warm and sensitive; a refreshing atmosphere of accessibility, inclusiveness, and of expressive love for Judaism. Bet Haverim means "House of Friends". Driven by the pleasure of community, we are a congregation that fully understands the needs of families and individuals whose history, outlook or situation means they have not felt comfortable enough in typical Jewish community environments to relax and be themselves. Alternative families, single parents, interfaith families, gays and lesbians, Jews of color, families with adopted children of color, and Jews with a progressive mindset all experience the safe haven of true acceptance at Bet Haverim.
We'll be holding Rosh Hashanah services as follows:
Erev Rosh Hashanah:
Friday, September 18
7:45 - Five Hebrew Love Songs
8 pm - Ma'Ariv (Evening Service)
Rosh Hashanah Day One:
Saturday, September 19
9:30 am - Children's Services
10 am - Shacharit (Morning Service)
Rosh Hashanah Day Two:
Sunday, September 20
10 am - Shacharit (Morning Service)
1 pm - Picnic
2:30 pm - Tashlich Service
Rosh Hashanah First Night and First Day services and Yom Kippur services for Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur Day are held at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, 1790 LaVista Road NE, Atlanta, GA. Rosh Hashanah Second Day service is held at Emory’s Dobbs University Center, 605 Ashbury Circle, Atlanta, GA 30322
Childcare is available for infants and children to age 10 for First Day Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur morning. See the childcare handout for specifics and fees. Parents are responsible for all children not enrolled in childcare.
There is limited parking in the back of St. Bartholomew’s. Enter from LaVista Road and drive around to the right. There is also marked handicapped parking, and parking throughout the neighborhood is permissible, (but not on La Vista Road). Parking at Emory is in South Peavine Parking Lot located at 27 Eagle Row.
Please address any other inquiries to the Congregation Bet Haverim office during business hours. 404-315-6446
Read More
The daily spirit of Congregation Bet Haverim is casual, warm and sensitive; a refreshing atmosphere of accessibility, inclusiveness, and of expressive love for Judaism. Bet Haverim means "House of Friends". Driven by the pleasure of community, we are a congregation that fully understands the needs of families and individuals whose history, outlook or situation means they have not felt comfortable enough in typical Jewish community environments to relax and be themselves. Alternative families, single parents, interfaith families, gays and lesbians, Jews of color, families with adopted children of color, and Jews with a progressive mindset all experience the safe haven of true acceptance at Bet Haverim.
We'll be holding Rosh Hashanah services as follows:
Erev Rosh Hashanah:
Friday, September 18
7:45 - Five Hebrew Love Songs
8 pm - Ma'Ariv (Evening Service)
Rosh Hashanah Day One:
Saturday, September 19
9:30 am - Children's Services
10 am - Shacharit (Morning Service)
Rosh Hashanah Day Two:
Sunday, September 20
10 am - Shacharit (Morning Service)
1 pm - Picnic
2:30 pm - Tashlich Service
Rosh Hashanah First Night and First Day services and Yom Kippur services for Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur Day are held at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, 1790 LaVista Road NE, Atlanta, GA. Rosh Hashanah Second Day service is held at Emory’s Dobbs University Center, 605 Ashbury Circle, Atlanta, GA 30322
Childcare is available for infants and children to age 10 for First Day Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur morning. See the childcare handout for specifics and fees. Parents are responsible for all children not enrolled in childcare.
There is limited parking in the back of St. Bartholomew’s. Enter from LaVista Road and drive around to the right. There is also marked handicapped parking, and parking throughout the neighborhood is permissible, (but not on La Vista Road). Parking at Emory is in South Peavine Parking Lot located at 27 Eagle Row.
Please address any other inquiries to the Congregation Bet Haverim office during business hours. 404-315-6446
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L'Shana Tova!
Time:8:00PM Friday, September 18th
Location:Saint Bartholomew's Church and Emory University
Congregation Bet Haverim
An interfaith vigil in response to the recent shootings in Tel Aviv has been announced. The vigil, to be held at Central Congregational United Church of Christ on Tuesday, August 11th at 7 pm is sponsored by Congregation Bet Haverim, The Rainbow Center at Jewish Family & Career Services, and Central Congregational Uni...ted Church of Christ, and the Anti-Defamation League amongst others.
Witnesses said a masked gunman clad in black opened fire with an M-16 on Saturday night in a basement of the Israeli LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) Association’s center in Tel Aviv, which was hosting a weekly group for teens.
The attacker killed a 26-year-old man and a 16-year-old girl and wounded 15 people, 6 seriously. The unknown attacker fled on foot and remains at large.
Rebecca Stapel-Wax, Program Director of The Rainbow Center at Jewish Family & Career Services, states, “In the bubble of acceptance that was expected of Tel Aviv this tragedy is a wakeup call that we are all vulnerable to those that hate. We must deliver a new message – that violence and silence is not tolerated anywhere by anyone.”
The vigil will be led by Rabbi Joshua Lesser of Congregation Bet Haverim, who mourns the loss of Nir Katz, 26 and Liz Trubeshi, 16 and, prays for the healing of all that were wounded. Rabbi Lesser explains, “ This vigil is to offer our prayers to those affected by this tragedy in Israel as well as to issue a call for an end to all religious rhetoric that inspires acts of hate and violence toward LGBT people. “ This vigil also hopes to bring attention to this tragic attack which local press has largely ignored.
Read More
Witnesses said a masked gunman clad in black opened fire with an M-16 on Saturday night in a basement of the Israeli LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) Association’s center in Tel Aviv, which was hosting a weekly group for teens.
The attacker killed a 26-year-old man and a 16-year-old girl and wounded 15 people, 6 seriously. The unknown attacker fled on foot and remains at large.
Rebecca Stapel-Wax, Program Director of The Rainbow Center at Jewish Family & Career Services, states, “In the bubble of acceptance that was expected of Tel Aviv this tragedy is a wakeup call that we are all vulnerable to those that hate. We must deliver a new message – that violence and silence is not tolerated anywhere by anyone.”
The vigil will be led by Rabbi Joshua Lesser of Congregation Bet Haverim, who mourns the loss of Nir Katz, 26 and Liz Trubeshi, 16 and, prays for the healing of all that were wounded. Rabbi Lesser explains, “ This vigil is to offer our prayers to those affected by this tragedy in Israel as well as to issue a call for an end to all religious rhetoric that inspires acts of hate and violence toward LGBT people. “ This vigil also hopes to bring attention to this tragic attack which local press has largely ignored.
Read More
Sponsored by Congregation Bet Haverim, The Rainbow Center, Central Congregational United Church of Christ, and the Anti-Defamation League
Time:7:00PM Tuesday, August 11th
Location:CCUCC
Congregation Bet Haverim
Last year for Tisha B’av the ancient voice of tradition was paired with the contemporary voice of the Blues to embody the range of emotion. This year Gayanne, Will and Rabbi Josh are crafting even more voices and musical expressions in the midst of the destruction of Tisha B’Av to embody the range of emotions this hol...y day inspires. By bridging the Ancient with the Contemporary, we hope to revive a holy observance that can have the power to touch the most vulnerable core of our soul, stirring it up, allowing it to grieve and cradling it in comfort.
Wednesday, July 29th
7 pm
CCUCC
2676 Clairmont Rd GA NE
For questions: lprice@cbhatlanta.orgRead More
Wednesday, July 29th
7 pm
CCUCC
2676 Clairmont Rd GA NE
For questions: lprice@cbhatlanta.orgRead More
Congregation Bet Haverim
Come join us at our annual Pride Seder for a unique ritual retelling and celebrating our LGBTQ liberation story and an evening of music and camaraderie. During Passover, Jews gather around the dinner table for a Passover ritual called a "Seder”, in which we retell the story of Moses leading the Jewish people out of sl...avery in Egypt to freedom. The concept of "coming out" as an LGBTQ person is similar in many ways to this story --- leaving behind the remnants of what our culture expects, or requires us to be - and gaining our freedom to be ourselves.
At Congregation Bet Haverim’s annual Pride Seder, we retell the story of the Stonewall Uprising. We examine and discuss the symbols of the gay liberation movement of the 60s and 70s, enjoy live music from the CBH Chorus, and celebrate our Pride together as a community of LGBTQ folk and allies!
This year, we will also have children's programing available for ages K - 4th grade. Be sure to RSVP your children as well, so we make sure we have enough materials for all.
This will be followed by a scrumptious potluck vegetarian/dairy dinner. Please bring your favorite dish!
Friday, June 26, 2009 7:00pm at the CCUCC Fellowship Hall
Please RSVP to rsvp@cbhatlanta.org
A $10 Donation is requested - no one will be turned away.Read More
At Congregation Bet Haverim’s annual Pride Seder, we retell the story of the Stonewall Uprising. We examine and discuss the symbols of the gay liberation movement of the 60s and 70s, enjoy live music from the CBH Chorus, and celebrate our Pride together as a community of LGBTQ folk and allies!
This year, we will also have children's programing available for ages K - 4th grade. Be sure to RSVP your children as well, so we make sure we have enough materials for all.
This will be followed by a scrumptious potluck vegetarian/dairy dinner. Please bring your favorite dish!
Friday, June 26, 2009 7:00pm at the CCUCC Fellowship Hall
Please RSVP to rsvp@cbhatlanta.org
A $10 Donation is requested - no one will be turned away.Read More
Remembering the 40th Anniversary of Stonewall
Time:7:00PM Friday, June 26th
Location:CCUCC
Congregation Bet Haverim Spring has sprung and we invite you to join us for a Shabbat celebrating the land. We’ll have singers and instrumentalists to support us in prayer and the service will be led by Rabbi Josh. We hope we’ll see you there!
Congregation Bet Haverim
If you're interested in the spirituality of the Omer, be sure to check out the daily reflection that Rabbi Josh is posting to his wall each day! Today's is:
Day 9 Discipline in Discipline (Gevurah in Gevurah) Setting clear boundaries regularly & observing & respecting others' boundaries takes a committed adherence & vigilance. Inconsistency without clear reason creates chaos...
Congregation Bet Haverim We were written up in the SoVo too!
Source: www.southernvoice.com
Southern Voice - Gay News, Entertainment, Opinion and Community Information for Atlanta, GA
Congregation Bet Haverim If you haven't seen it already - be sure to check out Rabbi Josh and Charlie C. on the CBS News!
Congregation Bet Haverim Warm Wishes for a Festive Season of Liberation!
Congregation Bet Haverim
Haverim Beyahad, the Religious School of Congregation Bet Haverim, is having an Open House on Sunday, April 26. This is a great opportunity for people with kids to check out our Sunday School program. Students will have the opportunity to sit in on classes, while parents will learn more about our school and CBH overall.... If you know of anyone contemplating a religious school for their kids, please pass along this information! People should RSVP to Melissa Perlmutter at melissaperlmutterCBH@gmail.com by April 16; they can also contact me with any questions.Read More
The Religious School of Congregation Bet Haverim
Time:9:15AM Sunday, April 26th
Location:The Friends School
Congregation Bet Haverim
One who sees the sun at its turning point, when the moon is full, and the planets are in their place and the zodiac signs are in their order one should say, "Blessed are You, Source of Life who renews the works of Creation." And when is this? Abaya said: every 28th year. -Berachot 59b, Babylonian Talmud
Haverim,
I invit...e you to join me to take part in a ritual that occurs only one every 28 years. The Birkat HaChamah is a unique blessing that we are instructed to say when the sun has completed its celestial that our traditions says began 5769. This is the 206th cycle and is a mitzvah that most people only have the opportunity to observe 3 or 4 times in their lives. According to the Talmud the sun is completing its cycle returning to the very precise moment that it was created: the same time, space and place. The sun arrives at the same place, same time of day and same day of the week as at the moment of its creation on the 4th day. The rabbis imagination delighted in this occurrence as they blessed and marked a renewal of the heavens just like they existed when creation and time began. So, we heed their call to celebrate the return of the sun’s first voyage every 28 years. To understand the science the rabbis use to determine this cycle, I invite you to go to http://www.blessthesun.org where it explains how they calculate the sun’s return.
Though the 4th day starts in the evening, we bless the new sun as it rises. When we see the sunrise dawning we go outside, face east and recite:
Blessed are You, Adonai, our God and God of the universe, who renews the work of creation.
The next solar celebration marking the Birkat HaChamah, the blessing of the sun, will fall on Wednesday morning, April 8, 2009 at 7:16a. We will gather at 6:45a Grant Park for a short service, a gentle yoga cycle of sun salutations and recite the blessing together. For those that can stay we will have breakfast and coffee at the near by Ria's Bluebird Cafe.
This is not only an opportunity to honor the creative minds of our ancestors, regardless of their literal view of Creation, and take a moment to be present to God’s creation and in particular, the Sun, which gives us great comfort, warmth, inspiration, light and reassurance. It is a great time to reflect upon our relationship to God’s creative energy in our lives, to the beauty of Creation itself and to bless that we are alive to witness and partner with it.
To this end, progressive Jews are using this as a time to commit to using energy wisely through sun covenants which you can also find at www.blessthesun.com.
If you miss this Birkat HaChamah, you can join me again on Wednesday, April 8th 2037.
- Rabbi Josh
Read More
Haverim,
I invit...e you to join me to take part in a ritual that occurs only one every 28 years. The Birkat HaChamah is a unique blessing that we are instructed to say when the sun has completed its celestial that our traditions says began 5769. This is the 206th cycle and is a mitzvah that most people only have the opportunity to observe 3 or 4 times in their lives. According to the Talmud the sun is completing its cycle returning to the very precise moment that it was created: the same time, space and place. The sun arrives at the same place, same time of day and same day of the week as at the moment of its creation on the 4th day. The rabbis imagination delighted in this occurrence as they blessed and marked a renewal of the heavens just like they existed when creation and time began. So, we heed their call to celebrate the return of the sun’s first voyage every 28 years. To understand the science the rabbis use to determine this cycle, I invite you to go to http://www.blessthesun.org where it explains how they calculate the sun’s return.
Though the 4th day starts in the evening, we bless the new sun as it rises. When we see the sunrise dawning we go outside, face east and recite:
Blessed are You, Adonai, our God and God of the universe, who renews the work of creation.
The next solar celebration marking the Birkat HaChamah, the blessing of the sun, will fall on Wednesday morning, April 8, 2009 at 7:16a. We will gather at 6:45a Grant Park for a short service, a gentle yoga cycle of sun salutations and recite the blessing together. For those that can stay we will have breakfast and coffee at the near by Ria's Bluebird Cafe.
This is not only an opportunity to honor the creative minds of our ancestors, regardless of their literal view of Creation, and take a moment to be present to God’s creation and in particular, the Sun, which gives us great comfort, warmth, inspiration, light and reassurance. It is a great time to reflect upon our relationship to God’s creative energy in our lives, to the beauty of Creation itself and to bless that we are alive to witness and partner with it.
To this end, progressive Jews are using this as a time to commit to using energy wisely through sun covenants which you can also find at www.blessthesun.com.
If you miss this Birkat HaChamah, you can join me again on Wednesday, April 8th 2037.
- Rabbi Josh
Read More
RECENT ACTIVITY
Congregation Bet Haverim wrote on Rosh Hashanah 5770's Wall.
