The Beacon is a project of Union Theological Seminary, with community partners, The Interfaith Center of NY and NY Jewish Agenda (NYJA), and T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights.
The Beacon brings together people of all faiths and secular backgrounds who feel called to stand with those facing injustice. Through WhatsApp groups, The Beacon mobilizes its diverse community members to take action. Where there is cruelty, we create visible acts of solidarity and compassion. Where there is fear, we build community and mutual understanding.
The Beacon launched in New York City on January 20, 2025. Our multifaith and multicultural traditions inspire us to welcome the stranger, love our neighbor, and pursue justice. Together, we are developing an action model that other cities can replicate. Together, we are beacons of light and love.
As beacons, our actions offer messages and images that powerfully contrast the hate, fear, and despair amplified in the news cycle. Through community organizing, training, and partnerships with legal, social service, labor, and faith-based organizations, we’re creating a new narrative that demonstrates the power of organized compassion in the face of hate and discriminatory acts.
When future generations ask how we responded in this crucial moment, they will see that we chose to be instruments of peace, vessels of light, and builders of the beloved community we wish to see.
The Beacon is led by Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, who has dedicated her life to promoting social justice, LGBTQ+ and human rights, and progressive values within Judaism. She served for 32 years as Senior Rabbi of Congregation Beit Simchat Torah in New York City, the largest LGBTQ+ synagogue in the world, for people of all sexual identities and genders, where she is now Senior Rabbi Emerita. The BBC named her one of its 100 Women of 2024, and Newsweek named her one of the 50 most influential rabbis in America. President Biden appointed Rabbi Kleinbaum a Commissioner to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom.
Every Monday, The Beacon hosts a 12 p.m. ET Zoom meeting open to all who want to welcome the stranger, love our neighbor, pursue justice, and take action.
Get our Monday 12 p.m. ET Zoom link here.
Support The Beacon today with a gift!
Learn more at BeaconForDemocracy.org
Shine the Light! – Why I’m a Beacon
Learning Opportunities:
- Gandhi: The Power of Nonviolence
- Torah: Kindness in the Face of Adversity
- Talmud: The Last Gate
- Maimonides: Workers’ Rights
Joy & The Arts for Resilience
Contact us at [email protected]