First Openly Gay Cantorial Student
Accepted to Jewish Theological Seminary

Congregation Beth Simchat Torah (CBST) is proud to announce that CBST member, Marisa James is first openly gay Cantorial student to be accepted into the Jewish Theological Seminary Cantorial School. Marisa James has been a CBST member for over a year and regularly leads shabbat morning services.

"This has been a long struggle and we are very proud that one of our members will break this barrier. This is a bold step towards for justice all." Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, Senior Rabbi of Congregation Beth Simchat Torah.

"As a Conservative rabbi and a graduate of the Jewish Theological Seminary, I could not be more pleased. I have always believed that the Conservative movement should be a home for Jews of all sexual orientations." Rabbi Ayelet S. Cohen, Associate Rabbi of Congregation Beth Simchat Torah.

The Jewish Theological Seminary is the rabbinical school for the Conservative movement. It recently announced that for the first time it would admit openly gay students into its Rabbinical and Cantorial schools