The Beacon’s Shine the Light group, Rutherford, NJ (7/17/25)
The Beacon brings together people of all faiths and secular backgrounds who feel called to stand with those facing injustice. The Beacon responds to the question, “What can I do now?”
Launched in New York City on January 20, 2025, our multi-faith and multi-cultural traditions inspire us to welcome the stranger, love our neighbor, and pursue justice.
As Beacons, our actions offer messages and images that powerfully contrast the hate, fear, and despair amplified in the news cycle.
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 a compassionate nation, neighbor by neighbor, neighborhood by neighborhood.
🪧 Every Thursday, make a sign that boldly expresses your concern, invite your friends, and take to the streets to stand up for the democracy you want to see. Learn more about Shine the Light »
💻 Every Monday, join the 12 p.m. (ET) Zoom, open to all who will welcome the stranger, pursue justice, and take action. We talk about what’s going on in our country right now, what each of us can do to create change, and what actions we’re taking next. Register to attend the weekly Noon-Zoom Monday Meetings»
📚 The Beacon offers online classes, taught by scholars and faith leaders, open to all – students contribute as they are able. Learn how history, philosophy and multi-faith traditions relate and prepare us to protest in peaceful resistance today. We gain comfort and confidence to act. Learn more about Lessons for Our Time »
Joy & The Arts for Resilience. We welcome composers, performers, poets, artists, dancers to join The Beacon and remind us to share joy and friendship. In the face of the daily attack on humanity, we must fuel our spirits.
📱 Follow The Beacon on Instagram and on Facebook.
🏫 The Beacon is a project of 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor Union Theological Seminary, New York City, a liberal seminary, the oldest independent seminary in the United States, and affiliated with Columbia University. The Beacon is for all people, of any faith and secular background.
Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum is founder and Director of The Beacon. She has dedicated her life to promoting social justice, LGBTQ+ and human rights, and progressive values within Judaism. Rabbi Kleinbaum served for 32 years as Senior Rabbi of Congregation Beit Simchat Torah, 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.