Openly Lesbian Rabbi To Attend White House Hanukkah Celebrations

12/16/09-by Paula Brooks rsknew
Openly lesbian Senior Rabbi, Sharon Kleinbaum, of New York’s Congregation Beth Simchat Torah, has accepted an invitation from President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama to attend the White House Hanukkah reception scheduled for latter today.

Congregation Beth Simchat Torah bills itself as the world’s largest synagogue for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. It’s website says it is committed to the idea that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Jews are wholly legitimate members of the Jewish people, are equally legitimate members of civil society, and have a unique and essential contribution to make to the life of Judaism and society.

“I am delighted to represent the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and queer communities at the White House in celebrating this holiday of freedom and liberation with President and Mrs. Obama,” Kleinbaum said in a statement. “The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community knows what it is to fight for equality and freedom and we are looking to President Obama to exercise leadership in this struggle. I am honored to be included and look forward to inviting the President and Mrs. Obama to CBST.”

Rabbi Kleinbaum is a founding member of the NGLTF’s National Religious Leadership Roundtable, a member of Empire State Pride Agenda’s Pride in the Pulpit and the Human Rights Campaign’s Religion and Faith Advisory Board.

Kleinbaum lives in Brooklyn with her partner, Rabbi Margaret Moers Wenig and her two daughters, Liba and Molly.