Kol Haverim The Finger Lakes Community for Humanistic Judaism Affiliated with the Society for Humanistic Judaism Newsletter Issue #18 June, 2003

Dear Friends,

The front hallway walls of our home are covered with family photographs spanning several generations. Among the photographs are those of my grandfather’s brothers, sisters and parents—all lost in the Holocaust—copies of smaller, brittle photos my grandfather, the only family survivor, carried in an inner pocket of his jacket all his life. Every day, walking by them, they are stark, poignant reminders that while Yom Hashoah is officially commemorated on a single day, as Jews the Shoah is with us everyday, regardless of whether we personally lost anyone in it.

How the Holocaust is “with us” is a question that has its own answers, but is the kind of question Jews were forced to confront prior to that horror. Over the centuries Jews have been slain in pogroms or in countless variations of anti- Jewish violence. Often, if “lucky” enough not to be murdered, we have, as an entire national subculture, been driven— humiliated and penniless—into perilous exile (1492 wasn't just the year “Columbus sailed the ocean blue”). Though these sufferings were smaller in comparison to the Shoah, they have been sufficiently abominable and unending for us to look deeply into this vicious side of our history for meaning and lessons.

Engaging in this process has produced conclusions that have, and continue to be, varied. One response has been to abandon Judaism: If one were not Jewish, there would be no risk of becoming a victim of anti-Jewish hatred and violence (an alternative countless “assimilated” Jews learned did not work). Another meaning drawn from this history has been to see the survival of Jews as paramount, requiring whatever survival dictates, regardless of the consequences to any group perceived as threatening that survival. A third conclusion has emphasized the links to other oppressed groups, a view infused, for example, with the extraordinary principle expressed in the Passover seder: We are linked to the suffering of others because we too had been slaves in Egypt. With the Shoah has come an additional view specific to the incomprehensible scope of that tragedy: Its dimensions demand so great a grieving that it requires grieving alone; any attempt to attach meanings and conclusions beyond this grieving is impossible, if not a dishonor of the dead.

Jew have embraced these and other meanings separately and in combination, and in doing so have made clear that the lessons drawn have not been fully self-evident in the horrors themselves, a complication that has considerable consequences for answering the fundamental questions of “What does it mean to be a Jew?” and “What does it mean to act as a Jew?” In turn, answers to these questions have profound, practical consequences for the future of Judaism at all levels. In his book, What Shall I Do With This People?, Milton Vorst explores the fractious politics amongst Jews, linked to the aforementioned questions, that put contemporary Jewry in crisis. In various ways this is felt within congregations, except for the few that are composed of solely like-minded members, particularly around the question of “What does it mean to act as a Jew?”

To illustrate this, let's look at holidays. Each has its stories and morals, and celebrating them as a congregation helps us understand and feel connected to a rich history and philosophy; the ceremonies deepen our feeling of being Jewish. Passover teaches us to oppose oppression and support liberation; Tu b’Shavat teaches us to love and protect the Earth; Rosh Hashana encourages us to reflect on how we can change and improve ourselves. We cherish the general moral meanings of our culture: celebrated collectively, with the lessons left general and contained within the boundaries of the holidays themselves, with a strong union following as each person determines and applies the lessons in a singular way.

But this union begins to fracture when specific contemporary lessons and meanings seen by some in the more general meanings are openly voiced and applied to specific contemporary events and issues. At our recent Yom Hashoah service, for example, it became apparent that members of our congregation are not of one mind on the meaning of the Shoah and the deaths of Iraqi civilians and whether these deaths were justified by Bush’s original explanation for the attack—eliminating weapons of mass destruction—or his second explanation, severing Iraq’s connections with Al Qaeda, or his later explanation, the need for a unilateral invasion in order to execute “regime change.” The union fractures even more when proposals are made to take actions around these events and Continued on next page 2 Community Calendar Newsletter Issue #18

Administrative Board Community Calendar Chairperson: Joan Joseph Vice Chairperson: David Levitsky Board Meeting Summer Membership Brunch Secretary: Dee Thaler No meetings this summer. Date and time TBA Treasurer: Carl West Holidays: Mark Silverman Programming: David Levitsky and Joan Joseph Membership: Deirdre Silverman News Flash Social Action: Brian Eden Adult Education: Eric Mendelson Barb Behrmann, founder and leading leadership. The new Board has several Children’s Education: Harry Segal spirit of Kol Haverim has stepped new members, whose names appear Community Service: Jonathan Joseph down as Board chair in order to in the “Administrative Board” section Members-at-Large: Caren Cooper, devote more time to her writing of this newsletter. More on Barb, Barbara Eden and Ellen Wiernicki career. Replacing her will be Joan Joan, and Board members past and National Board Rep.: Gerry Coles Joseph, who brings to the position future in the next newsletter issue. Newsletter Editor: Gerry Coles a strong background in organizational Design and Layout: Marlo A. Del Toro Newsletter Mailing: Ellen Wiernicki Newsletter: Print and Electronic Contact Information Kol Haverim/FLCHJ This newsletter is available in both year, beginning with the September PO Box 68 print and electronic form. Kol issue (due to bookkeeping Ithaca, NY 14851 Haverim members receive the print constraints). Both members and non- version as part of their membership. members can receive free electronic Phone: 800-935-1054 Non-member subscriptions for the versions by writing the editor at the Website: www.flchj.org print version will be available once-a- newsletter e-mail address above. E-mail: [email protected] Newsletter e-mail: [email protected] Continued from previous page or hundreds of years between us?” These are the questions we must Sunday School issues—to engage in active Contact Harry Segal at 255-6434 or opposition to the death of innocents. address when we look for the [email protected]. meanings and lessons in our Jewish Speaking for myself, to do otherwise past and our congregational present, Study Group would make Judaism a luminous because the answers affect us in Contact Eric Mendelson at 277-2114 or countless ways: the content of our [email protected]. fossil—well-set and appreciated, but separated from an application to programs, our efforts to become a Social Action Committee today’s world. In a recent interview genuine community, our personal Contact Brian Eden at 533-9150 or with the Jerusalem Post, Ariel interactions, and the long-term [email protected]. Sharon defined a Jew and the commitment of members. The same application of being Jewish this way: can be said for any other Community Service Committee congregation; Kol Haverim certainly Contact Jonathan Joseph at 277-9744 or A Jew is “whoever comes, sees is not unique in grappling with these [email protected]. themselves as part of the Jewish people, serves in the army, and issues. But grapple we must. Membership and fights.” Most, if not all, members of Since becoming editor of this Renewal Form our congregation would disagree with this definition of being a Jew newsletter I’ve urged members to You can find information about joining and actively applying Judaism. But, write letters or articles about any or renewing your membership on the disagreeing, what alternative issues. So far, the newsletter has Kol Haverim website, www.flchj.org, or received none. I urge readers to you can call 800-935-1054 and ask to definitions would be offered? consider responding to the concerns have a membership form mailed to you. In his poem, Brooklyn Bridge, Walt outlined here. Yiddish Proverb Whitman, “speaking of the Peace, Oif fremder erd boit men nit. connections across generations, asked: What is it, then, between (One doesn't build on foreign ground.) us?/What is the count of the scores Gerry June, 2003 “Community” News 3 Members in the News

Jane Segelken will be starting a new A new career is also looming for Dee Thaler is celebrating her career by attending Sarah Lawrence Maria Iannacome Coles. Maria is daughter Jessie’s graduation from College in Bronxville to earn a running for Common Council from Cornell with a degree in Linguistics. Master’s Degree in Health Advocacy. Ithaca’s First Ward. Maria’s decision Dee says, “Whew!” Jane says, “This is something I’ve to run for political office was based on wanted to do for a long time, and “my appreciation of Ithaca, my Dara Silverman, Deirdre and when my job ended in December both passion for working to improve my Mark’s daughter, is now in Israel and Roger and I agreed the right time is community, and the encouragement will be going to the Occupied now.” of various residents.” Territories as an international observer. Jewish Foods: A Celebration of Roots

Editor’s note: A celebration of Jewish moment in the cycle of life—a birth, a I am from what can be called a mixed food—filled with magnificent food!— marriage, or death—were once ruled marriage: My father is Ashkenazi and was the Fourth Friday event by tradition, and special foods were my mother is Sephardic. But since we organized by Carolyn Greenwald and part of each of these traditions. The spent all the holidays with my Carol Bloomgarden. The following is dishes chosen to celebrate these mother’s family, and they are the ones Carolyn’s introduction to the evening. occasions became part of the festival who did the cooking, I cook Sephardic rituals and acquired embellishments and therefore consider myself by Carolyn Greenwald as they acquired symbolic Sephardic. My mother’s maiden name significance. is Kamhi and Kamhi’s hail from a Many people think of common place called Monestere. Monestere Ashkenazi dishes, such as brisket and They were glamorized to glorify the was, at one time, in the hills of gefiltefish, as traditional Jewish food. occasions—colored with saffron, Yugoslavia, and is probably now in But there are people who claim that sprinkled with raisins, wrapped in a Serbia or Croatia. The dishes I make there is no such thing as Jewish Food pie. come from my mother’s mother’s because what is familiar to one person family, the Lereas. as Jewish Food may be totally Dishes are important because they are unknown to another. Since Jews have a link with the past, a celebration of The Lereas hail from Constantinople, lived all over the world, the argument roots, a symbol of continuity. They are now Istanbul and serve borekas at goes, they have adopted the foods of that part of an immigrant culture every family gathering. Little pies are the countries they lived in. Local which survives the longest, kept-up said to be the pride and joy and the regional food becomes Jewish when it even when clothing, music, language trademark of the Sephardi table. Our travels with Jews to a new homeland. and, in my case, belief in god, have little pies, in the Turkish tradition are been abandoned. Cooking is passed called borekas. The name comes the What makes Jewish food special to on from generation to generation and Turkish word boerke for “pie.” What me, and what probably makes it it has the capacity for change and for is interesting about Jewish borekas, as special to you too, is that in Jewish passing on new experience from one opposed to Turkish pies, is that their families, such as mine, cooking has generation to another. It is possible, filling and shape makes them closer to always revolved around the Sabbath by examining family dishes, to define the Spanish and Portuguese and religious festivals. All the identity and geographic origin of a empanadas. And, while it may be lore, celebrations, whether they family line. my relatives seem to talk about the commemorate a religious holiday, an Spanish Inquisition as if it happened episode of Jewish history, or a directly to our family. 4 “Community” News Newsletter Issue #18 Passover

Our Passover seder was greatly “freedom” by two of our Sunday enhanced by the following talks on School students.

Imagining a World Where Jews Hadn’t Escaped by Elias Spector-Zabusky and start walking to school. I’d like to That’s what it could be like if we take the bus or ride my bike to school, didn't have freedom. We wouldn’t be Passover is about freedom, reminding but if you’re Jewish, you’re not able to do the things that other people us what happened when we were allowed to do that. While I’m walking, do. I think that would be a pretty slaves. a police officer stops me and gives me awful way to live. I’m grateful that I a list of rules and he says “Don't ride do have freedom. My society is free, I tried to imagine what it would be your bike in public, kid, or you can get and that means that everyone can do like to live my life in a world where in big trouble.” The list was really the same things, as long as we obey Jews hadn’t escaped, and didn’t have long, with all the new rules of what the law. The story about “unfreedom” any freedom. I’m going to tell you a Jews were and weren’t allowed to do, is kind of like what happened to story about what that might be like. and what would happen if you African Americans in our country, and disobeyed them. When I got to school, we’ve worked really hard to make sure I’d get up in the morning in our I’d show my special pass so I could get they have the same freedoms apartment in the part of town where in. The pass says I’m Jewish, and then everybody else does. I’m glad we all Jews are forced to live. I’d have I’d go to the special Jewish classroom have freedom today in my town, breakfast of food that we had to buy in where Jewish kids were crowded in. because not everybody in the world the only store where Jews were Even the teacher, who was Jewish, does. I hope that in the future allowed to shop. Then I’d pack my was treated badly, even though he was everyone everywhere can have the shabby backpack with the ripped up a grown up. kind of freedom I do. books that we were allowed to use,

Standing Up to Pharaoh by Emily Behrmann-Fowler didn’t want war. George Bush certainly has that right: he’s united the whole world against I was in two demonstrations against Basically everybody agrees that him. the war because I thought that the war Saddam Hussein is (or was?) an evil was wrong. Many people in this man and shouldn’t be in charge, but The Jews got out of their bad country did not want war, but the there were other ways for him to get problems in Egypt by running away. president thought, “Those are just a the message than through Bush’s war. We tried standing up to our leaders by bunch of specks in the country dust. I protesting, but that didn’t work. don’t have to listen to them, I can do The Jews in Egypt were not allowed to it my own way.” Even the United stand up to Pharaoh. The president Maybe we should use plagues to get Nations didn’t want the war, but the has some qualities like the Pharaoh him to do the right thing. We could president still said, “I don't need to because he doesn’t listen to people start with frogs. I learned this song listen to them. I can do it my own and he does things his own way. from my sister and have made one way.” He should not have had the Pretty soon the whole world is going small change: right to do that because he should to be against America because the have considered what the people whole world basically didn’t want the One morning when Bush awoke in his bed, think. war. So the weapons we sell them are going to be just turned back on us. there were frogs on his head, I wrote a letter to the president saying that he should consider what the Gerry told me a story I thought was frogs here, frogs there, people think and he shouldn’t be the pretty funny. George McGovern said only one in charge of deciding what that when George Bush was running frogs were jumping everywhere. we should do. Also, some of the for president he said he was a great soldiers who were fighting probably uniter of people. McGovern said that June, 2003 “Community” News 5 Yom Hashoah

At the Yom Hashoah evening on April www.ess.uwe.ac.uk/genocide/ Collateral Damage, a term used to 29, organized by Deirdre Silverman, babi_yar.htm define injury or death to civilians Sergei and Alla Lukina presented a during a military attack. (So far the moving overview of the German tfn.net/holocaust/online/babiyar.html “collateral damage,” i.e., deaths of massacre of Jews at a ravine named (pictures) Iraqi civilians as a result of the attack “Babi Yar,” near the Ukrainian city of on Iraq, is between 5,542 and 7,214, Kiev. Sergei and Alla provided the Maura Stephens also contributed to according to independent sources. See following internet website addresses the evening by presenting a slide show iraqbodycount.com.) to learn more about the tragedy. of photographs her husband, George Sapio, took of Iraqi people when they The book, Collateral Damage, is history1900s.about.com/cs/babiyar visited the country in early February, available in Ithaca (e.g., bookstores, approximately a month prior to the Greenstar) for a nominal $5 donation www.us-israel.org/jsource/Holocaust/ US-Great Britain attack. The or can be downloaded for free from babiyar.html photographs are now in a book titled www.gsapio.com. Interfaith Dialogue on Faith and War by David Levitsky Ithaca Journal, the article very much them. I recounted my days as a Civil missed the flavor of the evening. It Rights worker in the 1960s when we On April 10, I represented Kol was a very somber and deeply moving were arrested and beaten by police for Haverim at the third meeting of the event where people spoke genuinely sitting together, blacks and whites, in Interfaith dialogue on Faith and War: from their hearts. What was a public restaurant and when I was Practical Perspective on Violence, remarkable was that despite the wide gassed by police for demonstrating sponsored by ACT (Area variety of “faiths” that were against the war in Vietnam. I also Congregations Together) , the Catholic represented by both the speakers and spoke about my faith in the people Charities Justice and Peach Ministry, the audience, the opinion was almost who were standing next to me—black, and Voices for Peace, and held at the unanimous—the US incursion into white, Asian, Christian, Jew, atheist— First Presbyterian Church of Ulysses Iraq was unjustified and unethical. who also were willing to withstand the in Trumansburg. Each of the panelists had to speak violence in order to make this world a about their personal experience with better place for all of us to live. We Although the event was covered by the violence and how their faith helped succeeded then, and we’ll succeed now. Study Group Happenings by Eric Mendelson immigrants who settled in NYC’s In June, we dive into our next Lower East Side surrounding the turn reading, an effort at exploring the By the time you have read this, the of the twentieth century. It is an in- roots of humanistic thought by Adult Study Group will have shared depth picture of survival, assimilation, reading Edward Ericson’s The some of its experience of finishing and insularity in a compact world of Humanist Way. Rather than reading Irving Howe’s World of Our deep poverty in the most densely attempting Spinoza or the other Fathers over May’s Fourth Friday populated neighborhood in the original humanist philosophers—who meal. Many of you will have heard nation; a portrait of grinding labor wrote like philosophers—this more there some of the particular alongside a lively theater, lecture, and readable history (which is also discoveries of that reading experience café society; of lives guided by devout considerably shorter than Howe’s) and gotten to chew it over with the daily observance of traditional Jewish comes out of the Ethical Culture Study Group, right after our potluck laws rubbing shoulders with tradition, one which is philosophically chews. The book’s 600 pages committed anarchists and socialists; allied, it appears, to Humanistic portrayed a critical slice of Jewish and of immigrant families collapsing Judaism. Meetings are open to all American life that is hard to fairly under New World pressures alongside members and take place summarize without slipping into neighbors who produced a stunning approximately every third Wednesday clichés, but I'll try. burst of art, intellectuality, evening. For more information, entertainment, and entrepreneurship contact me at Overall, Howe’s classic history details from what quickly became the world’s [email protected]. the lives of our Eastern European largest concentration of Jews. 6 “National” News Newsletter Issue #18 Rabbi Wine Redirects His Work

Studs Terkel, interviewed at 90, while Judaism, surely would say the same about him and the SHJ movement. writing a new book, replied to a about his “retirement” as rabbi of the The second article raises some question about retirement, “Smile Birmingham Temple. The following questions about SHJ’s future without when you say the ‘r’ word!” Rabbi are two articles about Rabbi Wine Rabbi Wine as leader, and is followed Sherwin Wine, founder of humanistic containing much valuable information by two letters replying to the article. Breaking Barriers: As Rabbi Sherwin Wine Retires, by Judith Doner Berne in 12 countries consider themselves easily as he inquires after each temple part of the Humanistic Jewish member’s child by name. From The Observer & Eccentric movement, with the outreach larger Newspapers than that. They identify culturally, “It’s not just his memory, it’s his historically and traditionally with whole system of knowledge,” explains June 4, 2003 Judaism and with its ethical values, Rabbi Adam Chalom, 27, who along but they don’t believe in God. with Rabbi Tamara Kolton, 32, will When Sherwin Wine retires next lead Birmingham Temple after Wine’s month after 40 years as founding “For us, the heart of religion is not retirement next month. rabbi of Birmingham Temple, he God, prayer or worship—but human merely will transfer his energy to his behavior,” Wine said back in 1975. ‘A Genius’ other passions. That was during the time when he was labeled “the atheist rabbi” and the “His humor is delicious and it’s really “I’m shifting my work,” says Wine, a subject of condemnation. part of enjoying him.” dynamic, imposing, outspoken Birmingham resident who thinks Today, he says, “Our focus was not to Retirement also will allow Wine to outside the box. deny God but to affirm people. We’re travel. Antarctica and Cuba are two of helping create something long lasting the few places he hasn’t been. “I want to work on visiting more for the worlds of religion, philosophy communities, training more rabbis and Judaism.” “I like politically interesting trips,” and doing more writing.” Wine says. “I don’t sleep a lot when I Completing his fifth book, The Jews travel. I walk, sometimes as much as Wine, who at 75 operates at full From a Humanistic Perspective, is a 20 miles in a day. I know what I want throttle intellectually and physically, priority. These and other writings to see and I don’t want to waste my will continue to travel the world and preserve his work the way his talks time. Next to philosophy, my major to further develop the Birmingham- never can. That’s because he speaks interest has been history. Travel is my based Center for New Thinking, his from a single, salmon-colored, 4-inch way of seeing history in the flesh. It’s take on community education. by 6-inch card, never writing out the my greatest recreation.” full text of what he will say. The visiting, training and writing all Connie Wolberg, a Southfield-based fit his goal of securing the religion he “I think very carefully about my talks,” travel agent and temple member, has began—Humanistic Judaism—as the he says. “I consider the podium a arranged many of his trips, fifth branch of Judaism, alongside barrier between the speaker and accompanying him on some. She is Orthodox, Conservative, Reform and audience. For me, talking to people is amazed at his energy, thirst for new Reconstructionist. a very enjoyable experience.” adventure, and ability to take mishaps with humor. Her favorite story Movement Grows Those who encounter him even once involves an over-eager guide in West are impressed by his memory, which Africa who took Wine and his Wine estimates that 30,000 members allows him to recall historical facts as longtime partner Richard McMains to June, 2003 “National” News 7

He Leaves Legacy in New Form of Judaism see a witch doctor supposedly renown A two-year stint as a Jewish chaplain journalist Jack Lessenberry—hold for his supernatural powers. in Korea further cemented that idea some of their classes. Others take and his communication skills. “The place at the Birmingham Unitarian Wine’s wry comment: “You can always Jewish soldiers there weren’t Church and The Community House. learn from other clergy.” interested in praying,” he said. “They were farm boys from places like The nonprofit center, which he began Choosing His Path central Iowa, and I learned how to in 1977, is another aspect of his talk to them. They needed to be original mind. After teaching some Wine did not grow up in Detroit bent nurtured.” adult education classes for Wayne on founding a new religion. State University, he got the idea that That’s when he left to form people might like to pay as you go for He came from an observant family, Birmingham Temple, which took its a single class on a particular subject, active in the conservative Shaarey name from its initial gathering in the rather than commit to a whole Zedek synagogue, now in Southfield. home of a Birmingham couple. semester. As a philosophy student at the University of Michigan, he thought he “I’ve always regarded myself as a “It was all about interesting people in might want to become a college philosopher-missionary,” Wine says. the world of ideas. I thought I could professor or an attorney. “I’ve provided people a new setting for create a forum in a more convenient what they believe.” place based on new books and new But the academic world “was less thinkers.” adventurous than I wanted my life to Although the temple eventually moved be,” he said. And law fell by the to a permanent site in Farmington Last month, the American Humanist wayside when he decided, “I couldn’t Hills, Wine himself chose to move to Society named Wine “Humanist of the defend someone who was guilty.” Birmingham, a city he loves. He is a Year.” He joins a line up that includes familiar figure walking its downtown philosophers, doctors, scientists and “I was always very connected to and residential streets and having writers including Jonas Salk, Carl Judaism,” he said. “I wanted to breakfast each morning at The Sagan, Julian Huxley, Benjamin combine philosophy and Judaism and Townsend Hotel. Spock, Linus Pauling, Margaret the thing that seemed closest to that Sanger, Kurt Vonnegut, Alice Walker was the Reform Rabbinate. A New Direction and Isaac Asimov.

“They were my teachers,” he says. “I Once he retires, residents will see him “I look at my life and I really like didn't have anyone in the rabbinic regularly take a new route—from his what’s happened,” says Wine, in a world who was my mentor. They condominium with the walled garden softer tone than usually characterizes didn’t agree with me. I liked being a on the west side of Birmingham to his his bold statements. “I feel very rabbi. But I didn't like the praying,” new library office on the east side, at fulfilled because my life’s work has he said. “I decided I would explain to Adams Square. That’s where he and touched a lot of people in a very everyone what I meant by the word the faculty of the Center for New positive way.” ‘God.’” Thinking—the Rev. Harry Cook, art Reprinted with permission of historian Michael Farrell and The Observer & Eccentric Newspapers Copyright 2003 8 “National” News Newsletter Issue #18 Tough Test Looms for Godless Faith: Radical Rabbi’s by Marsha Low a worldwide one with an estimated 40,000 members. And after four In August 1963, Wine began exploring From the Detroit Free Press decades at the epicenter of his beliefs, and by 1964, word was controversy, he’s set to step beyond spreading of a new Jewish movement June 11, 2003 the spotlight on June 26. led by a rabbi who didn't believe in God. Rabbi Sherwin Wine sashayed across “At the end of these 40 years, I feel the Birmingham Temple stage, very gratified,” said Wine, who has Newspapers declared him the “rebel greeted the crowd with his piercing never been married, has no children rabbi.” Jewish leaders across the black eyes, and began belting the and lives in Birmingham. “I’ve country denounced Humanistic words to Frank Sinatra’s “My Way.” enjoyed my work enormously because Judaism as a fleeting, ’60s, wild-child I’ve touched people. I’m very glad I craze. And hundreds of metro Detroit Yes, there were times, I’m sure you knew, made the choices that I did, because if Jews packed the Eagle Elementary When I bit off more than I could chew. I hadn’t, I would have lived a very gymnasium in West Bloomfield to see But through it all, when there was doubt, unhappy life.” what Wine was up to. I ate it up, and spit it out. I faced it all, and I stood tall, But as he prepares to step down, a What drew so many was curiosity and and did it my way. tough test looms. the radical idea of gathering people in a way that mimics religion, but Applause echoed through the How It All Began without a belief in God. What kept Farmington Hills synagogue last them coming was Wine, a bright and month as the congregants, there to Raised on 12th Street, now Rosa Parks articulate man who exudes charisma. celebrate Wine’s upcoming Boulevard, in Detroit by conservative retirement, rose to their feet. As it Jewish parents, Wine was a boy who Still, acceptance hasn’t come quickly. turns out, Ol’ Blue Eyes’ song is a reveled in his father’s company. On It was only five years ago that the fitting anthem for the rabbi who Saturdays, that placed him obediently movement’s leaders were invited to created a Jewish movement that is not beside his father at temple, reciting participate in the United Jewish guided by God. prayers by rote. Community, a federation of national Jewish leaders. This, Wine’s followers Across metro Detroit, Wine is known He loved school, won scholastic believe, validated their movement as as the rabbi who caused a national awards and was always at the top of Judaism’s fifth sect, joining uproar in 1963 when he founded his class at Detroit Central High Reconstructionist, Reform, Humanistic Judaism. The movement’s School. At the University of Michigan, Conservative and Orthodox. followers do not view Judaism as a he received bachelor’s and master’s religion, but as a culture. They sing degrees in philosophy. When it came But the divide between Wine’s about the power within people rather time to decide on a career path, Wine philosophy and that of Orthodox than about the love of God. They searched for a job that would couple rabbis remains vast. replace prayers with poetry and bar philosophy with his love of the Jewish and bat mitzvah Torah readings with culture. He decided to become a rabbi “I find it a bit quirky when you presentations on historic figures such in the Reform sect of Judaism, develop a religion based on the as Anne Frank, Abraham Lincoln and spending five years at Hebrew Union human spirit. To me, it’s Eleanor Roosevelt. College in Cincinnati. But a nagging contradictory,” said Rabbi E. B. problem remained. (Bunny) Freedman, a member of the Wine, 75, has spent his life forsaking Orthodox movement and director of convention for what he believes. As a “I enjoyed being a rabbi but… I was the Jewish Hospice and Chaplaincy result, he has been labeled eccentric, not comfortable with the belief Network. “And as our world becomes iconoclastic, rebellious, intellectual system,” Wine said. “For me, a good more complex and threatening, I see and courageous. religion doesn’t make people feel weak in my world a greater interest in a and needy and force them outside to God-based religion, especially post- He’s built a movement that began find power. A good religion helps you 9/11.” with eight metro Detroit families into find the power within yourself.” June, 2003 “National” News 9 Retirement May Jeopardize the Movement He Created

Others who are closer to accepting have done as well without him. He is “He trusted the integrity of my beliefs, Humanistic Judaism say they find clearly its leader, he did it through that I’d continue the message of Wine’s unwillingness to live within charisma, and through his God-given Humanistic Judaism,” Kolton said. predetermined boundaries abilities.” “And he trusted my ability to be a courageous. kind leader, a creative leader.” Planning for the Future “He did not sell out because he was For Kolton, the future’s toughest task afraid that somebody wouldn’t like or While the movement’s naysayers will be to dispel the myth that support him,” said Rabbi Dannel predict the near-certain demise of Humanistic Jews are people living Schwartz of Temple Shir Shalom, a Humanistic Judaism after Wine free of ethics and free of a Reform synagogue in West retires, members of the Birmingham commitment to care for other Jews Bloomfield. “Abraham Lincoln once Temple have been busy molding its and their shared history. said if they’re going to tar and feather future. you and throw you out of town, get in As Wine looks to the future, front of the mob and make it look like In the spring of 1983, a blond, blue- retirement will be not mean rest. In a parade. That’s what Sherwin did. eyed girl stood before the fact, he jokingly predicts that his final People threw insults at him, the congregation on her bat mitzvah, breath will be taken on a stage, mid- Jewish newspaper in town refused to likening her life to that of Eleanor sentence during a lecture on print any events or weddings he’s had. Roosevelt. Humanistic Judaism. Things have changed because of his courage.” It was an exhilarating day for Tamara “Right now, I’m having a lot of Kolton, who at age 13 decided that she feelings,” Wine said. “There is joy Still, others say the future of Wine’s would one day stand before a because I feel very successful knowing movement will be fleeting unless it congregation as a Humanist rabbi. that out of my last 40 years, comes can admit the existence of God. something that will last. There is Wine helped mold Kolton. He was her sadness because I wish I could be here “People are becoming more religiously rabbi, her mentor, friend, for the next 40 years. And above all, traditional, and I don’t think disciplinarian and cheerleader. In there is gratitude because this Sherwin’s message will ring in the 1999, she became the movement’s movement does not exist because I hearts of people for much longer,” first ordained rabbi. Shortly had a few ideas, it exists because of said Rabbi David Nelson of the thereafter, Wine announced he would the people who surround me.” Conservative synagogue Congregation retire in five years, and Kolton would Reprinted with permission of the Detroit Free Press Beth Shalom in Oak Park. “Also, I be his successor. Copyright 2003 don't think that this movement would Two Letters to the Detroit Free Press

There was a glaring omission in the June 11 article about I take issue with the sensationalistic focus of the article my retirement from the Birmingham Temple (“Tough Test about Rabbi Sherwin Wine—that the movement may not Looming for Godless Faith: Radical Rabbi’s Retirement survive his retirement. This is old news that has been May Jeopardize the Movement He Created”). The article proved wrong over the last many years. Through our mentioned Rabbi Tamara Kolton as my successor but transition, we have ensured our future with two highly failed to mention that I have two successors. Rabbi Adam talented and motivated rabbis who have demonstrated Chalom also serves as the rabbi of the congregation. Rabbi their leadership, energy and creativity over and over again. Chalom and Rabbi Kolton will serve as a team of co-rabbis. Our membership is committed to their success, and we Rabbi Chalom grew up in the Birmingham Temple and is have a philosophy that will continue to stand on its own. an outstanding graduate of our rabbinic seminary. Bill Trapp, President Rabbi Sherwin T. Wine Birmingham Temple Birmingham Temple 10 Focus on Humanism Newsletter Issue #18 Humanism and Its Aspirations

The American Humanist Association, many Humanist values and ideals modification, and improvement as which this year gave Rabbi Wine a have never been more widely accepted times and conditions change.” For “Humanist of the Year” award, has while others have never been more more information on the manifesto strong philosophical ties with SHJ. urgently needed.” This third and to see its signers (which include Below is a revision of AHA’s manifesto is a clarification of Rabbi Wine) go to “Humanist Manifesto.” As the “Humanism as endorsed and www.americanhumanist.org. All are organization states: “Seventy years advanced by a cross section of invited to read it, provide comments, after the first Humanist Manifesto Humanists living, thinking and acting ask questions and/or endorse it. and thirty years after the second, we today. And like its predecessors, it find ourselves living in a world where remains subject to clarification,

Humanist Manifesto III, a Successor to the Humanist Manifesto of 1933

Humanism is a progressive recognize nature as self-existing. We differences are resolved cooperatively philosophy of life that, without accept our life as all and enough, without resorting to violence. The supernaturalism, affirms our ability distinguishing things as they are from joining of individuality with and responsibility to lead ethical lives things as we might wish or imagine interdependence enriches our lives, of personal fulfillment that aspire to them to be. We welcome the encourages us to enrich the lives of the greater good of humanity. challenges of the future, and are others, and inspires hope of attaining drawn to and undaunted by the yet to peace, justice, and opportunity for all. The lifestance of Humanism—guided be known. by reason, inspired by compassion, Working to benefit society maximizes and informed by experience— Ethical values are derived from individual happiness. Progressive encourages us to live life well and human need and interest as tested by cultures have worked to free humanity fully. It evolved through the ages and experience. Humanists ground values from the brutalities of mere survival continues to develop through the in human welfare shaped by human and to reduce suffering, improve efforts of thoughtful people who circumstances, interests, and concerns society, and develop global recognize that values and ideals, and extended to the global ecosystem community. We seek to minimize the however carefully wrought, are subject and beyond. We are committed to inequities of circumstance and ability, to change as our knowledge and treating each person as having and we support a just distribution of understandings advance. inherent worth and dignity, and to nature’s resources and the fruits of making informed choices in a context human effort so that as many as This document is part of an ongoing of freedom consonant with possible can enjoy a good life. effort to manifest in clear and positive responsibility. terms the conceptual boundaries of Humanists are concerned for the well Humanism, not what we must believe Life’s fulfillment emerges from being of all, are committed to but a consensus of what we do believe. individual participation in the service diversity, and respect those of It is in this sense that we affirm the of humane ideals. We aim for our differing yet humane views. We work following: fullest possible development and to uphold the equal enjoyment of animate our lives with a deep sense of human rights and civil liberties in an Knowledge of the world is derived by purpose, finding wonder and awe in open, secular society and maintain it observation, experimentation, and the joys and beauties of human is a civic duty to participate in the rational analysis. Humanists find that existence, its challenges and tragedies, democratic process and a planetary science is the best method for and even in the inevitability and duty to protect nature’s integrity, determining this knowledge as well as finality of death. Humanists rely on diversity, and beauty in a secure, for solving problems and developing the rich heritage of human culture sustainable manner. beneficial technologies. We also and the lifestance of Humanism to recognize the value of new departures provide comfort in times of want and Thus engaged in the flow of life, we in thought, the arts, and inner encouragement in times of plenty. aspire to this vision with the informed experience—each subject to analysis conviction that humanity has the by critical intelligence. Humans are social by nature and find ability to progress toward its highest meaning in relationships. Humanists ideals. The responsibility for our lives Humans are an integral part of long for and strive toward a world of and the kind of world in which we live nature, the result of unguided mutual care and concern, free of is ours and ours alone. evolutionary change. Humanists cruelty and its consequences, where June, 2003 Focus on Social Justice 11 Amy Goodman: Walking a Path in the Jewish Tradition

Democracy Now! is the news program stethoscope. Going further back, she covering the East Timorese battle for hosted by Amy Goodman that, for is descended from prominent Hasidic independence, she was beaten by many Kol Haverim members, is a rabbis, although she counts herself a Indonesian solders, barely escaping welcome contrast to the dominant secular Jew.” It’s not clear if she death. Her work has earned her media, a place to hear extensive actually belongs to an SHJ journalism awards, such as the Robert “alternative” coverage on issues from congregation, but her connection to F. Kennedy Journalism Award, the Iraq to Israel to Bush’s tax cuts to the her Jewish heritage is clear to regular George Polk Award and the Overseas 50TH anniversary of the execution of listeners. For example, during the last Press Club Award. the Rosenbergs (June 19). A two Passover holidays, she has nationwide program, broadcast in this replayed portions of a women- But as the Washington Post article area from Hobart and William Smith centered seder she participated in and observed, “the awards seem beside Colleges at 9 AM, Amy Goodman’s reported on a few years ago. the point. Her Edward R. Murrow Democracy Now! is where one goes on comes always with a twist of Emma the FM dial (88.1 or 89.7) to hear Working most of her waking hours, Goldman.” Speaking to a reporter extended interviews with people like her friends are awed by her drive, prior to the attack on Iraq, Goodman Noam Chomsky, Howard Zinn, Susan but also express concern for the depth leaned forward in her chair, “trying to Saradon, Archbishop Desmond Tutu of passion that has minor time for a explain what’s so very clear to or the children of Julius and Ethel “personal life.” Goodman shrugs off her. ‘I feel this is a very urgent time, Rosenberg. For her contribution to these expressions of concern, for this nation and the world,’ she American democracy, Goodman is focusing instead on an afflicted world says. ‘The clock is ticking towards war. much admired and appreciated by requiring activism to heal it. Drawing We can’t do enough, we absolutely Ithacans, having spoken here several on her family history, she describes can’t.’” times to overflowing audiences, most the inspiration she drew from a recently at Ithaca College. grandmother who, when one hundred When accepting an award, asked to years old and sick, nonetheless explain her approach to journalism, Goodman is in the tradition of Jews organized her sanatorium. she replied: “Go where the silence is who have been in the forefront of and say something.” social justice activism. An article in Goodman has been reporting for the Washington Post describes her Pacifica Radio since the mid-1980s, That’s good advice for us all! this way: “Goodman grew up a starting Democracy Now! in 1996. movement child, the daughter of Working not only as the host of a (Democracy Now! can be heard radical parents in Bayshore, New news show, she has been a reporter in anytime on the Internet at York, across from Fire Island. Her the field, doing stories from across the www.democracynow.org. At that father, a physician, was featured in a world, in places such as Yugoslavia, website, there is a link to Michael poster for nuclear disarmament, the Haiti, Cuba, Israel’s occupied Powell’s Washington Post article image of a mushroom cloud in his territories, and East Timor. While quoted here.) Kol Haverim/FLCHJ PO Box 68 • Ithaca, NY 14851

The Finger Lakes Community for Humanistic Judaism is an Ithaca-based organization that brings people together to explore and celebrate Jewish identity, history, culture and ethics within a secular,

humanistic framework.

Amy Goodman: Walking a Path in the Jewish Tradition . . . .11 . . . Tradition Jewish the in Path a Walking Goodman: Amy

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Dear Friends ...... 1 ...... Friends Dear In This Issue This In