DORTMUND, Germany (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo has been a showstopper, as expected, at the European Championship.
Just not necessarily in the way he’d like to be.
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DORTMUND, Germany (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo has been a showstopper, as expected, at the European Championship.
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo jumps for the ball with Turkey's Samet Akaydin, right, during a Group F match between Turkey and Portugal at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Dortmund, Germany, Saturday, June 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, left, controls the ball as Turkey's Abdulkerim Bardakci falls down during a Group F match between Turkey and Portugal at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Dortmund, Germany, Saturday, June 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo looks the ball during a Group F match between Turkey and Portugal at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Dortmund, Germany, Saturday, June 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Portugal's Bruno Fernandes celebrates with Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo after scoring his side's third goal during a Group F match between Turkey and Portugal at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Dortmund, Germany, Saturday, June 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
A young pitch invader takes a selfie with Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo during a Group F match between Turkey and Portugal at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Dortmund, Germany, Saturday, June 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo in action during a Group F match between Turkey and Portugal at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Dortmund, Germany, Saturday, June 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after being pulled by the shirt by a Georgian player during a Group F match between Georgia and Portugal at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal's Antonio Silva leave the pitch after being substituted during a Group F match between Georgia and Portugal at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo gestures as he leaves the pitch at half time during a Group F match between Georgia and Portugal at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo gestures after Georgia's Georges Mikautadze scored his side's second goal during a Group F match between Georgia and Portugal at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after leaving the pitch during a Group F match between Georgia and Portugal at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo gestures as he leaves the pitch at half time during a Group F match between Georgia and Portugal at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)
The Portugal superstar with 632 million followers on Instagram and a never-ending stream of endorsement deals has had to deal with a raft of on-field selfie-seekers, during matches and in training. One presumed super-fan even leapt from the stands over the players’ tunnel toward a startled-looking Ronaldo as he headed to the locker room after Portugal’s match against Georgia.
He’s raged at a referee (earning a yellow card), booted away a water bottle, and angrily remonstrated in the dug-out. He’s also had 12 shots, more than anyone else at Euro 2024.
What Ronaldo hasn’t done is score a goal — and that’s the currency he deals in, at least in soccer.
OK, there was that moment he passed up a golden chance to score by passing unselfishly to Bruno Fernandes for Portugal’s third goal in the 3-0 win over Turkey. A double-stepover that befuddled Abdulkerim Bardakci and left the Turkey center back on his back has proved a hit on social media and gave the world a reminder of the Ronaldo of 10, 15, even 20 years ago.
Ronaldo, though, is 39 now. Those big moments have become fleeting, especially when it comes to the big tournaments and when he’s playing against top-level defenses.
Make that seven straight matches in which he has failed to score at a major tournament, covering the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024. For the first time in his 21-year international career taking in five World Cups and six European Championships, he has ended a group stage without a goal.
So, with the powers of this undoubted soccer great on the wane, the question will again be asked heading into the knockout stage: will the constant drama surrounding Ronaldo wind up being a distraction for the Portugal team in its bid for another big soccer title, eight years after winning its only one at Euro 2016?
Roberto Martinez clearly doesn’t think so.
The Portugal coach is in thrall with Ronaldo, as shown by his reaction to the striker’s assist — his record-tying eighth at the European Championship — against Turkey.
“It should be shown in every academy in Portugal and world football,” Martinez said, purring at this “spectacular” piece of play.
A day earlier, he’d got into an exchange with a journalist who questioned whether Ronaldo could handle the intensity of a major tournament at age 39.
“All you need to do is look at what he has done in the last 12 months,” Martinez proffered, pointing to his record in the Saudi league with Al-Nassr, for whom he started 31 of 34 games and scored a league-high 35 goals, and his 10 goals in Euro 2024 qualifying — second only to Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku.
Before the tournament, Martinez had lauded Ronaldo by saying he “approaches every day as a new way to be the best” and that his stats “are better than anything, subjectively, that you can say.”
Maybe to justify his arguments — or who knows, to keep in Ronaldo’s good books — Martinez started the striker against Georgia despite resting all of his other key outfield players for a game that meant little for Portugal, which had already qualified as group winner.
It was at this stage at the last World Cup where Ronaldo lost his place in Portugal’s team, to the shock and anger of his millions of fans who might not see him play as much these days because of his move to the Middle East. He had started all three of the group games, scoring only a penalty, and reacted poorly to being substituted by then-coach Fernando Santos against South Korea in the third.
Ronaldo didn’t start the 6-1 win over Switzerland in the round of 16 — his replacement, Goncalo Ramos scored a hat trick — nor the quarterfinal loss to Morocco, after which he left the field in tears.
Given his public comments, it's unlikely Martinez will follow Santos’ path and drop his captain in the knockout stage, starting against Slovenia on Monday, for what may prove to be Ronaldo's last matches at a major tournament.
Nor do his teammates, who have grown up idolizing Ronaldo, want that to happen.
“We want to be side by side with our captain,” Portugal defender Diogo Dalot said, while midfielder Vitinha has spoken of the “privilege to be able to share moments with him on and off the pitch.″
Ronaldo’s desire and passion clearly remains. He is still a prolific scorer, albeit mostly against weak opposition these days, even if his mobility and, in particular, his pressing isn't at the level of a top-notch striker. It would be no surprise to see the top scorer in men’s international soccer — with 130 goals — get off the mark against Slovenia.
Whether his continued selection is beneficial for Portugal is another thing entirely.
AP Euro 2024: https://apnews.com/hub/euro-2024
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo runs with the ball at Turkey's Abdulkerim Bardakci, left, during a Group F match between Turkey and Portugal at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Dortmund, Germany, Saturday, June 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo jumps for the ball with Turkey's Samet Akaydin, right, during a Group F match between Turkey and Portugal at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Dortmund, Germany, Saturday, June 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, left, controls the ball as Turkey's Abdulkerim Bardakci falls down during a Group F match between Turkey and Portugal at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Dortmund, Germany, Saturday, June 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo looks the ball during a Group F match between Turkey and Portugal at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Dortmund, Germany, Saturday, June 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Portugal's Bruno Fernandes celebrates with Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo after scoring his side's third goal during a Group F match between Turkey and Portugal at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Dortmund, Germany, Saturday, June 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
A young pitch invader takes a selfie with Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo during a Group F match between Turkey and Portugal at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Dortmund, Germany, Saturday, June 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo in action during a Group F match between Turkey and Portugal at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Dortmund, Germany, Saturday, June 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after being pulled by the shirt by a Georgian player during a Group F match between Georgia and Portugal at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal's Antonio Silva leave the pitch after being substituted during a Group F match between Georgia and Portugal at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo gestures as he leaves the pitch at half time during a Group F match between Georgia and Portugal at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo gestures after Georgia's Georges Mikautadze scored his side's second goal during a Group F match between Georgia and Portugal at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after leaving the pitch during a Group F match between Georgia and Portugal at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo gestures as he leaves the pitch at half time during a Group F match between Georgia and Portugal at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)
NEW YORK (AP) — For more than three decades, Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum has led the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ synagogue through the myriad ups and downs of the modern gay-rights movement — through the AIDS crisis, the murder of Matthew Shepard, the historic civil-rights advances that included marriage equality, and mostly recently the backlash against transgender rights.
She is now stepping down from that role and shifting into retirement. The New York City synagogue that she led for 32 years — Congregation Beit Simchat Torah in midtown Manhattan — will have to grapple with its identity after being defined by its celebrity rabbi for so long.
Her retirement also comes at a challenging moment for the LGBTQ+-rights movement. Same-sex marriage is legal nationwide, but conservative politicians are enacting restrictions on transgender healthcare, restricting LGBTQ+ curriculum in schools, and proposing bans on the performances of drag queens.
“I’ve been blessed and privileged to have the opportunity to use the gifts I have, on behalf of God’s vision for the world,” Kleinbaum said in an interview. “I’m very, very lucky that I’ve been able to do this. I just feel like now is the time to make room for a younger generation.”
Embraced by her congregation and left-leaning politicians, Kleinbaum, 65, taught an unapologetic progressive vision for Judaism that resonated beyond the enclave of Manhattan and liberal Judaism. When Donald Trump was elected president, Kleinbaum had the synagogue do outreach to Muslims. The congregation also built an immigration clinic to help LGBTQ+ refugees in hostile parts of the world get asylum in the U.S.
“It is a religious calling to help the immigrant. I see that it is just as deeply important for (the synagogue) as it is leading Friday night services,” Kleinbaum said.
Congregation Bet Simach Torah, better known as CBST, has roughly 1,000 paying members. About 4,000 Jews, from nonreligious to Orthodox, show up to the temple’s High Holy Day services, historically held in New York’s Jacob Javits Convention Center on the West Side of Manhattan.
The temple’s regular congregants have been a Who’s Who of media and LGBTQ+ historical figures. Edie Windsor, who sued and won to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act, was in regular attendance while she was alive. Andy Cohen, of “Real Housewives” fame, is there regularly. Joan Rivers showed up for Yom Kippur. Kleinbaum's wife is Randi Weingarten, the head of the nation's biggest teachers union.
Appointed in 1992, Kleinbaum spent much of her first year burying members of her congregation, many of them dying from AIDS. The need for a salaried rabbi to provide pastoral care was among the biggest reasons for CBST to hire its first rabbi. One of her first funeral services was for a member of the search committee that hired her.
The 1990s brought the increased visibility of gay and lesbians in the public sphere, but also brought the passage of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which defined marriage as between only a man and a woman.
“She really was doing rabbinical triage work at the beginning, working with a community that ultimately saw (a third) of its members die of AIDS,” said William Hibsher, a member of CBST for several decades who was there when Kleinbaum was appointed.
Hibsher was not an observant Jew in early 1990s, but he said he felt inspired by Kleinbaum’s work as well as the care she provided to his partner, who died from AIDS in the mid-1990s. He later became heavily involved with the synagogue, including serving on its board of directors and helping raise millions for its current location on West 30th Street.
When New York legalized same-sex marriage in 2013, Kleinbaum stood in the park across the street from the marriage bureau and performed same-sex weddings outdoors. Among the couples she married in 2014 were two men who had spent 20 months planning their wedding, which was held in a former Broadway theater.
Kleinbaum hasn't specified what she plans to do in retirement, but said she's likely to continue doing social justice work or working in Democratic politics. CBST has given her the title of “senior rabbi emerita” to show a level of connectedness as she steps down, but the bimah at CBST will no longer be hers.
Even people who would be considered her ideological adversaries have found common ground to collaborate with her on issues of religious freedom and human rights.
When President Joe Biden appointed Kleinbaum to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, which monitors and researches freedom of religious expression worldwide, she served as a commissioner along alongside Tony Perkins, head of the Family Research Council. The council opposes the LGBTQ+-rights movement.
“She’s able to step back and see where (two with strong ideological differences) can meet on core issues, and realize here’s where we can find common ground,” said Fred Davie, an administrator at Union Theological Seminary and a longtime friend of Kleinbaum.
Kleinbaum served two terms on the USCIRF. Her first term ended early in 2020 when she decided to focus attention on her congregation amid the COVID-19 pandemic. For her and the congregation, it was familiar territory after the AIDS crisis.
“We knew immediately many of the elements that we had to deal with: isolation, loneliness, fear,” Kleinbaum said. “There were differences, of course, between AIDS, but many things were enough similar that it almost felt like muscle memory.”
For the congregation, there seems to be a degree of uncertainty of what the synagogue will be without her. CBST, like many congregations, skews toward older members; many have been with Kleinbaum since the beginning.
The synagogue named Jason Klein as new chief rabbi earlier this year; he will start on July 1. But the consensus among members seems to be that Kleinbaum is simply irreplaceable.
“I think people, in their heart of hearts, wanted to find a Kleinbaum 2.0 to replace her," Hibsher said. “There's a landscape of wonderful progressive synagogues throughout Manhattan. So part of the question for the congregation will be: Is there a need for an LGBT synagogue in the year 2024? I think there is.”
While Kleinbaum laid out her plans to leave CBST a year ago, there were audible gasps at Yom Kippur services last September among the attendees when it was mentioned that CBST would no longer be headed by her. Her second-to-last Shabbat service, held June 21, was a sold-out event. The keynote speaker: New York Attorney General Letitia James.
“Most importantly, she has given us a space,” James said, using her hands to point to the synagogue and its standing room only crowed. “This space. Where we can be safe. Where we can be free.”
Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, second from left, takes a selfie with members of her congregation as she prepares for her last service at the Masonic Hall, on Friday, June 28, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/ Andres Kudacki)
Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum hugs worshippers during her last service at the Masonic Hall, on Friday, June 28, 2024, in New York.After leading the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ synagogue through the myriad ups and downs of the modern gay-rights movement for the last three decades, she is now stepping down from that role and shifting into retirement. The synagogue that she led for 32 years — Congregation Beit Simchat Torah in midtown Manhattan — will have to grapple with its identity after being defined by its celebrity rabbi for so long. (AP Photo/ Andres Kudacki)
Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, right, hugs her wife, Randi Weingarten, left, during her last service at the Masonic Hall, Friday, June 28, 2024, in New York. After leading the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ synagogue through the myriad ups and downs of the modern gay-rights movement for the last three decades, she is now stepping down from that role and shifting into retirement. The synagogue that she led for 32 years — Congregation Beit Simchat Torah in midtown Manhattan — will have to grapple with its identity after being defined by its celebrity rabbi for so long. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, center, reacts during her last service at the Masonic Hall, Friday, June 28, 2024, in New York. After leading the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ synagogue through the myriad ups and downs of the modern gay-rights movement for the last three decades, she is now stepping down from that role and shifting into retirement. The synagogue that she led for 32 years — Congregation Beit Simchat Torah in midtown Manhattan — will have to grapple with its identity after being defined by its celebrity rabbi for so long. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
FILE - Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, left, waves to the crowd after speaking during a benefit to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, right, at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah, Dec. 4, 2017, in New York. After 32 years as a progressive voice for LGBTQ Jews, and leader of Congregation Beit Simchat Torah in midtown Manhattan, Kleinbaum steps into retirement. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
FILE - Matt Forman, right, Executive Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, center, block traffic in New York's Times Square, in an act of civil disobedience, March 15, 2007. After 32 years as a progressive voice for LGBTQ Jews, and leader of Congregation Beit Simchat Torah in midtown Manhattan, Kleinbaum steps into retirement. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
FILE - Under a rainbow chuppah, Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, left, senior rabbi at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah in New York, performs the civil marriage of Guy Rozenstrich, second from right, and Stephen Hoerz, right, July 24, 2011 in a park across the street from the Office of the City Clerk, in New York. After 32 years as a progressive voice for LGBTQ Jews, and leader of Congregation Beit Simchat Torah in midtown Manhattan, Kleinbaum steps into retirement. (AP Photo/Tina Fineberg, File)
FILE - Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum poses for photos near her home in New York, March 14, 2021. After 32 years as a progressive voice for LGBTQ Jews, and leader of Congregation Beit Simchat Torah in midtown Manhattan, Kleinbaum steps into retirement. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum hugs a worshipper during her last service at the Masonic Hall, Friday, June 28, 2024, in New York. After leading the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ synagogue through the myriad ups and downs of the modern gay-rights movement for the last three decades, she is now stepping down from that role and shifting into retirement. The synagogue that she led for 32 years — Congregation Beit Simchat Torah in midtown Manhattan — will have to grapple with its identity after being defined by its celebrity rabbi for so long. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
Worshippers sing with Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, not pictured, during her last service at the Masonic Hall, on Friday, June 28, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/ Andres Kudacki)
Worshippers pray with Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, not pictured, during her last service at the Masonic Hall, on Friday, June 28, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/ Andres Kudacki)
Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum plays the violin during her last service at the Masonic Hall, Friday, June 28, 2024, in New York. After leading the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ synagogue through the myriad ups and downs of the modern gay-rights movement for the last three decades, she is now stepping down from that role and shifting into retirement. The synagogue that she led for 32 years — Congregation Beit Simchat Torah in midtown Manhattan — will have to grapple with its identity after being defined by its celebrity rabbi for so long. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum hugs her daughter during her last service at the Masonic Hall, Friday, June 28, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum stands during her last service at the Masonic Hall, Friday, June 28, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum speaks during her last service at the Masonic Hall, Friday, June 28, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, top center, speaks during her last service at the Masonic Hall, Friday, June 28, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
Worshippers pray with Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, not pictured, during her last service at the Masonic Hall, Friday, June 28, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
Worshippers pray with Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum as she speaks during her last service at the Masonic Hall, Friday, June 28, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum speaks during her last service at the Masonic Hall, Friday, June 28, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum smiles during her last service at the Masonic Hall, Friday, June 28, 2024, in New York. After leading the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ synagogue through the myriad ups and downs of the modern gay-rights movement for the last three decades, she is now stepping down from that role and shifting into retirement. The synagogue that she led for 32 years — Congregation Beit Simchat Torah in midtown Manhattan — will have to grapple with its identity after being defined by its celebrity rabbi for so long. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum heads to her last service at the Masonic Hall, on Friday, June 28, 2024, in New York. After leading the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ synagogue through the myriad ups and downs of the modern gay-rights movement for the last three decades, she is now stepping down from that role and shifting into retirement. The synagogue that she led for 32 years — Congregation Beit Simchat Torah in midtown Manhattan — will have to grapple with its identity after being defined by its celebrity rabbi for so long. (AP Photo/ Andres Kudacki)
Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, right, hugs her wife Randi Weingarten, left, during her last service at the Masonic Hall, on Friday, June 28, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/ Andres Kudacki)
Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, right, prepares for her last service next to her wife, Randi Weingarten, left, at the Masonic Hall, Friday, June 28, 2024, in New York. After leading the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ synagogue through the myriad ups and downs of the modern gay-rights movement for the last three decades, she is now stepping down from that role and shifting into retirement. The synagogue that she led for 32 years — Congregation Beit Simchat Torah in midtown Manhattan — will have to grapple with its identity after being defined by its celebrity rabbi for so long. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum prepares for her last service at the Masonic Hall, Friday, June 28, 2024, in New York. After leading the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ synagogue through the myriad ups and downs of the modern gay-rights movement for the last three decades, she is now stepping down from that role and shifting into retirement. The synagogue that she led for 32 years — Congregation Beit Simchat Torah in midtown Manhattan — will have to grapple with its identity after being defined by its celebrity rabbi for so long. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum sings during her last service at the Masonic Hall, Friday, June 28, 2024, in New York. After leading the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ synagogue through the myriad ups and downs of the modern gay-rights movement for the last three decades, she is now stepping down from that role and shifting into retirement. The synagogue that she led for 32 years — Congregation Beit Simchat Torah in midtown Manhattan — will have to grapple with its identity after being defined by its celebrity rabbi for so long. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
