May 12, 2023

USCIRF Thanks Outgoing Commissioner Sharon Kleinbaum

Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) expresses gratitude to Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum for her time and commitment to promoting freedom of religion or belief abroad as a Commissioner at USCIRF.

“It has been an honor and privilege working with Rabbi Kleinbaum as a fellow Commissioner, and we wish her well as she continues to further freedom of religion or belief abroad in her personal work,” said USCIRF Chair Nury Turkel. “We greatly appreciate her invaluable contributions to USCIRF and her insight from her years of experience working with many different communities as a religious leader, interfaith activist, and human rights advocate.”

Rabbi Kleinbaum was first appointed to USCIRF in December 2019 by then Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-NY). She was reappointed by President Joseph R. Biden in August 2021 for a two-year term that expires on May 14, 2023.

Rabbi Kleinbaum currently serves as spiritual leader of New York City's Congregation Beit Simchat Torah (CBST) and was installed as CBST's first rabbi in 1992. She has long been involved in the fight for human rights for all people. Rabbi Kleinbaum is also a Commissioner on New York City's Commission on Human Rights, serves on Mayor de Blasio's Faith Based Advisory Council, and serves on the boards of the New York Jewish Agenda and the New Israel Fund. Her longtime leadership of CBST and her outspoken activism have made her a powerful voice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) rights and human rights in America and around the world.

For many years, she has been ranked by Newsweek among the 50 most influential rabbis in America, as well as one of Newsweek's 150 Women Who Shake the World. She was also named by the Huffington Post as one of the Top 10 Women Religious Leaders and one of the 15 Inspiring LGBT Religious Leaders. AM New York named her one of New York City's Most Influential Women for Women's Day and she is a recipient of the Jewish Fund for Justice Woman of Valor Award.

 “While Rabbi Kleinbaum and I were appointed to USCIRF from opposite sides of the aisle, we worked in a bipartisan manner and shared a persistent commitment to promoting freedom of religion or belief for all, no matter their faith, gender, or sexual orientation,” said USCIRF Vice Chair Abraham Cooper. “It has been a tremendous honor to work with her on the Commission.”

USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by the President and leadership of both political parties in the Senate and House of Representatives.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected].