Together, UTS and The Beacon will help equip a network of faith and community leaders
with the tools to fight for a better tomorrow.
New York, NY — Union Theological Seminary and The Beacon are pleased to announce a formal partnership that will empower faith leaders, clergy, community leaders, and members of the general public to stand up and advocate for a compassionate democracy that lifts everyone.
The Beacon’s signature initiative, “Thursdays at 7, Shine the Light,” invites people across the country to create signs expressing rejection of hate and cruelty and to gather in their neighborhoods for 30 minutes each week, from 7:00-7:30 p.m., in their own time zone. This grassroots approach is founded on three key principles: showing up in public to make resistance visible, building local connections to strengthen community ties, and keeping joy alive through collective action.
The Beacon (beaconfordemocracy.org) is a project dedicated to combating authoritarianism through community organizing and public acts of solidarity and compassion. Founded by Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, Senior Rabbi Emerita of Congregation Beit Simchat Torah in New York City, The Beacon helps people connect across faiths and backgrounds to stand up for democracy and human rights. The Beacon will be offering adult education study opportunities exploring multifaith texts and traditions which provide wisdom for surviving in times of adversity.
Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum has dedicated her life to promoting social justice, LGBTQ+ and human rights, and progressive values within Judaism. She was named one of the BBC’s 100 Women of 2024 and one of Newsweek‘s 50 most influential rabbis in America.
“We are incredibly grateful to work with a partner like The Beacon in this unprecedented time,” said Rev. Dr. Serene Jones, president of Union Theological Seminary. “Power-hungry politicians have unleashed a relentless, brutal crusade against vulnerable communities. That’s precisely what makes The Beacon’s work so instrumental. They shine a light that bursts through the darkness and shows us that we can fight back. They pave the way for faith and community leaders to make a real difference.”
“Authoritarianism feeds on silence, isolation, and fear. That’s why we launched The Beacon,” said Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, founder and director of The Beacon. “We must take to the streets to make our resistance visible. We have to build local connections and strengthen community ties. And we must keep joy alive, because joy itself is a spiritual and political act of resistance. No one can do everything, but everyone can do something. We invite you to make that ‘something’ joining us every Thursday at 7 p.m. in your neighborhood. Bring a sign and share what’s in your heart and what you hope for America’s future.”
“History has shown us time and time again that even when life feels the darkest, we can still raise our voices, stand up, and build a better tomorrow — as long as we work together. So it brings me the utmost joy and honor to officially partner with The Beacon. We’re thrilled to see what we can do together,” said Rev. Fred Davie, Senior Executive Vice President for Public Theology and Civic Engagement at Union Theological Seminary.
For both Union Theological Seminary—a historically Christian seminary with a growing commitment to interreligious engagement—and The Beacon, it’s essential to develop strong community partnerships to drive progress. The “Thursdays at 7, Shine the Light” movement has already spread from New York City to rural Connecticut, from Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Denver, Colorado, and from Minneapolis to Portland, continuing to grow as people discover the power of standing together against fascism and authoritarianism.
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About Union Theological Seminary
Union Theological Seminary (UTS), founded in 1836 in New York City, is a globally recognized seminary and graduate school of theology where religion and scholarship meet to reimagine the work of justice. A beacon for social justice and progressive change, Union Theological Seminary is led by a diverse group of theologians and activist leaders. Drawing on both Christian traditions and the insights of other religions, the institution is focused on educating leaders who can address critical issues like racial equity, criminal justice reform, income inequality, and protecting the environment. Union is led by Rev. Dr. Serene Jones, the 16th President and the first woman to head the 188-year-old seminary.
About The Beacon
The Beacon (beaconfordemocracy.org) is a project dedicated to combating authoritarianism through community organizing and acts of public solidarity. Founded by Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, former Senior Rabbi of Congregation Beit Simchat Torah in New York City, The Beacon helps people connect across faiths and backgrounds to stand up for democracy and human rights. Through its signature “Thursdays at 7, Shine The Light” campaign, The Beacon invites people to gather weekly in their neighborhoods to make their voices heard and build community resistance. Rabbi Kleinbaum has dedicated her life to promoting social justice, LGBTQ+ and human rights, and progressive values within Judaism. She was named one of the BBC’s 100 Women of 2024 and one of Newsweek’s 50 most influential rabbis in America.