Humanorah the Newsletter of the Society for Humanistic Judaism Affiliated with the International Federation of Secular Humanistic Jews

Humanorah the newsletter of the Society for Humanistic Judaism affiliated with the International Federation of Secular Humanistic Jews

Autumn, 2007 Vol. 30 No. 1

2007 colloquium to pay tribute to SHJ Conference 2008 will display the memory of Rabbi sherwin wine children’s works by president lou altman Don’t miss viewing the student ven before I became active in Human- the College of Pluralistic Judaism in “Tikkun Olam/Repairing the World” Eistic Judaism, I fell in love with the Jerusalem and a columnist for The Jerusa- competition entries displayed Fri- biennial colloquia that Rabbi Wine and the lem Record. 2001: “Secular Spirituality: day, April 4-Sunday, April 6, 2008, International Institute put on. This Octo- Passionate Journey to a Rational Juda- at the Marriott Warner Center in ber 19-21 promises to bring another in a ism” looked for the balance between a Woodland Hills, California, during string of great shows. secular lifestyle and the quest for “spiri- the 2008 SHJ Conference and tual” fulfillment. Does our rational belief Teen/Young Adult Conclave. Con- Few events provide such a concentrated system leave any room for such a thing? gratulations go to the following fi- intellectual feast. Rabbi Wine was a great 2003: “Jews & Non-Jews: The Love/ nalists: draw as a speaker, but these meetings also Hate Relationship” Time magazine’s have benefitted from another of his tal- Lisa Beyer helped us investigate. Art Competition ents: the ability to identify and attract lead- 2005:“Digging for the Truth: Archae- Beth Adam, Boca Raton ing scholars and speakers in their respec- ology and the Bible.” Who knows more Ben McGrath (4th-8th grade) tive fields and then give them a forum to about this than Professor Israel Finkelstein Ashley and Adam Heller impart their knowledge and insight, and of Tel Aviv University and Professor (4th-8th grade) sometimes even to figuratively knock Amihai Mazar of Hebrew University in Kahal B’raira, Boston heads with each other. Unfortunately, Jerusalem? Greg Kaiser (Kdg.-3rd grade) Rabbi Wine will not be with us, but be- Secular Jewish Circle of fore his untimely death in July, in his own AND NOW... Puget Sound inimitable manner, he did arrange this up- 2007: Jews and the Muslim World: Daniel Valarsky (Kdg.-3rd grade) coming event for us. Our presence, there, Solving the Puzzle. Speakers include Suzanne Parikh (high school) will pay homage to his memory. Fawaz Gerges, author, senior analyst and commentator for ABC TV; Amir Hussain, Writing Competition After a colloquium weekend I typically author and specialist in Muslim societies Beth Adam, Boca Raton return home with the feeling that I have in North America; Jacob Lassner, author Jason Dobkin (4th-8th grade) had a quick PhD, that I have seen all sides and professor of Jewish Studies, North- of a subject and now understand it fully. western University; and others.The topic Special Awards for Group Projects And how important are those subjects, is timely, and I, for one, wouldn’t miss it Birmingham Temple, MI how central to our lives as Humanistic for the world. Or Emet, MN Jews? Decide for yourself. SHJ members sometimes ask how they Witness our students’ creativity at 1997: “Reclaiming Jewish History” I can get more out of their membership in Conference 2008, “Connecting to heard what historians— scholars such as the Movement. Here’s one way. Come to Judaism: I Did It My Way,” Join Norman Cantor— had discovered about Colloquium 2007 and have a once-in-a- us as we explore how each of us con- the truth behind our myths. 1999: “Be- lifetime intellectual adventure you’ll never nects to Judaism in our own way. yond Tradition: the Struggle for a New forget. For more information, call 248- Jewish Identity” We examined alterna- 476-9532, email [email protected] or visit Book your hotel room now: 1-800- tives ranging from Bundism and Ethical www.iishj.org. And if you want to catch 228-9290, and tell them the SHJ sent Culture to Reconstructionism and Secu- up, purchase the proceedings of past col- you. Stay tuned for more informa- lar Humanistic Judaism with the dean of loquia from the SHJ (www.shj.org). tion. 2nd

To Honor a man and his life’s work

Belonging to SHJ is a wonderful thing; you SHJ have like-minded friends wherever you go! AFFILIATES My daughter, Paula, is now a member of Oraynu, in Toronto and good friends with Rabbi Eva Goldfinger. It’s a small world!

ALABAMA A natural outgrowth of my involvement with Or Hadash, HJC of Birmingham SHJ was to establish THE KAREL & SHEILA ARIZONA BASS FUND FOR COMMUNITY DEVEL- Or Adam, CHJ OPMENT. On Sherwin’s recent visit here, CALIFORNIA which was received with great enthusiasm by Adat Chaverim, Valley CHJ Kol Hadash, CHJ both members, and guests, I brought my Fund Orange County SHJ n two days, it will be seven years since to his attention and let him know that it has Pacific Community of SHJ HJC, San Diego Karel died. I think of him every day, but its place in my will. I did not tell him to re- even more at this time. It was Karel who ceive his thanks, but to let him know that I COLORADO I Beth Ami, Colorado CHJ became enamored with Sherwin. Not long af- wish to honor his life’s work. Sherwin cre- ter we arrived in Detroit from London in ated this wonderful Movement with which so CONNECTICUT CHJ, Fairfield County 1968, he attended a class on comparative re- many of us have linked our lives; I want to ligion and couldn’t stop talking about this make sure that it will continue long into the FLORIDA Congregation Beth Adam wonderful Rabbi Wine! Deciding to join the future, after both he and I are no longer Congregation for HJ, Sarasota Birmingham Temple was the best thing we around.

ILLINOIS ever did! Not only did we find intellectual Beth Chaverim stimulation but many, many, new friends. The I hope those of you who are able will also take Kol Hadash Humanistic Congregation Temple truly became our second home and this step, which will ensure the place of Hu- MASSACHUSETTS the center of our lives. manistic Judaism as the fifth dimension of Kahal B’raira, Boston CHJ Judaism.To the Humanorah Editor MICHIGAN Later, when we toyed with the idea of mov- The Birmingham Temple Sheila Bass, president, Orange County, CA ing to California, the decision was made easy MINNESOTA by the very existence of O.C.S.H.J., right here [Editor’s Note: You, too, can honor Rabbi Or Emet, CHJ of Minnesota in what was then Leisure World. The minute Sherwin Wine and ensure the future of Human- NEW JERSEY Morris County CHJ we walked in on that first Friday night, we istic Judaism by remembering the SHJ in your felt at home. That was nine years ago. Our will. In turn, the Society will recognize you in NEW YORK Beth Haskalah, Rochester SHJ group, here, is still vibrant, though smaller its Heritage Circle. Established in 2007, the The City Congregation than previously, and the core members are Heritage Circle was created to distinguish and Kol Haverim, Finger Lakes CHJ Long Island Havurah for HJ definitely aging. I just celebrated my 75th honor those donors who have supported the Queens Community for birthday and am the kid; that’s why they let Society through a planned gift. Look for our Cultural Judaism Spinoza SHJ, Riverdale me be president, going into my seventh year! new brochure in the mail later this fall.] Westchester CHJ Autumn 2007 NORTH CAROLINA Humanorah Vol. 30, No. 1 Triangle CHJ Humanorah is a publication of the Society for Humanistic Judaism, a non-profit organization that mobi- OREGON lizes people to celebrate Jewish identity and culture consistent with a humanistic philosophy of life. Kol Shalom, CHJ

PENNSYLVANIA Humanorah is sent to members of the Society for Humanistic Judaism as a benefit of membership. Mem- Shir Shalom, CHJ bership in the Society for Humanistic Judaism is $75 per year plus local dues where applicable. Member- ship is tax deductible as provided by law. WASHINGTON Secular Jewish Circle of Puget Sound President: Lou Altman

WASHINGTON, DC Executive Director: Bonnie Cousens Machar, CHSJ Community Development Director: Rabbi Miriam Jerris Editor/Designer: Harriet Maza CANADA Oraynu, Toronto, ON Address all inquiries about Humanorah to the Society for Humanistic Judaism, 28611 W. 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills, MI, 48334, 248/478-7610, Fax: 248/478-3159, E-mail: [email protected], Web page: www.shj.org.

2 Notes From Around the Globe

Oraynu holds screening of kike like me

After the destruction of the Temple, the legend devel- non-Jews, and who gets to choose the definition. Kastner oped that on the spring harvest holiday of Shavuot, God cast himself as a cool guy, eager to get along with strang- gave the Torah to the Israelites on Mt Sinai. Shavuot thus ers but who inadvertently creates revealing situations became a time to explore our defining texts. wherever he goes. From Orthodox Jews in New York to an aborted meeting with Pat Buchanan, from an Humanistic Jews do not limit our texts to the Torah Amsterdam football team who call themselves Juden as and ancient sources. Nor should we limit ourselves to print some kind of joke, to a Paris encounter with Arab anti- texts. Jews have used film since its invention in the last semitism, his scenarios open up surprises and questions century to explore identity. about ritual and self-conception, bigotry and oversensitivity. In Berlin and Auschwitz, he exposes both This past Shavuot (in May) Oraynu members engaged remorse and distastefulness in the local art and business ourselves with a brand new text about this subject, in the of memorializing genocide victims. media of film. We held a private screening of the hot, new, as yet unreleased, documentary film, Kike Like Me, Kike Like Me recently premiered at Toronto’s Hot Docs with its producer and director, Torontonian Jamie Kastner. International Documentary Film Festival. It is funny, scary Jamie’s warmth, humour and thoughtfulness made it a and thought provoking. When it becomes available, it will very special evening for us. This darkly comic road movie be a superb piece for youth and adults to explore the sig- asks what it means to be Jewish in the eyes of Jews and nificance and meaning of Jewish identity. by Karen Levy for Oraynu (Toronto)

Your Generosity Makes a Difference. Your gift to the SHJ can ensure the future of Humanistic Judaism. Please contact me about the Pooled Income Fund. I am enclosing a tax deductible donation to the SHJ: $136 $236 $360 $1,036 $1,360 $150 $250 $536 $1,836 Other $_____ Name: ______Phone (H):______(W):______Address: ______City: ______St.:______Zip:______Country:______

3 Notes from Around the Globe continued

For Machar, life is in flux as Students Graduate, and a founding member moves on

A Transition and a Tribute be wondering how they got along all Kol Nidre; and Zach Popkin-Hall, by Michael Prival, madrikh these years without her. sophomore at Marshall High School in Falls Church, VA, and the wonder- Now in its thirtieth year, Machar, the B’nai Mitsva Students Graduate ful cellist in the Machar Band. Washington Congregation for Secular by Roz Seidenstein Humanistic Judaism, is in a period of E-mail feedback came from Joanna transition. Two of our seven founding We’re still kvelling over this year’s Mauer, a 2003 graduate of Cornell in members, Ann and Harold Black, class of 10. We celebrated with three civil and environmental engineering, moved back to the Detroit area two group ceremonies and one individual who is now completing three and a half years ago, and we are still mourning ceremony. Students’ research topics in- years as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Harold’s recent death. Soon another of cluded Tom Lehrer, Dada Art Move- Dominican Republic; and Elana Eisen- our beloved founders, Mary Perica, ment, Marc Chagall, Peace Efforts in Markowitz, currently getting her Mas- will be moving to Israel to be closer to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. The ters of Arts in Teaching at Tufts. many grandchildren, great-grandchil- papers are posted on our website at dren, and other family members. http://machar.org/mitzvah.html. It was encouraging to hear that the value of tsedaka and a feeling of be- Machar’s success over the past three ing empowered to make changes for decades is anchored in the work of our Jewish Cultural School Assessed social and environmental justice came founding members. Each, in very dif- by Marlene Cohen from their JCS schooling. Joanna ferent ways, gave strength, meaning, credited her Peace Corps decision to and a human connection to what we If you ask SHJ members, a critical ben- values reinforced in Sunday school. do. They all kept working actively in efit of membership is the opportunity Other former JCS students now ac- Machar’s congregational life for much to educate our children as humanistic tively engaged in political or social longer than we had a right to and Jewish and secular. But we at action were mentioned as well. expect. We will always be indebted to Machar had never assessed if our kids Mary for her years of service as an of- connected with the values we teach, Best remembered were experiences ficer and board member, her teaching or if our approach to teaching prepared such as a day when 4th grade students in our Sunday school, her work on them to be confident and independent- studying the role of Jews in the labor writing and organizing holiday events, thinking adults. movement went on strike against JCS, her delightful and insightful talks at fighting rigid new school rules in a role High Holiday services, her participa- Last spring, former Machar Jewish play that was very real to them at the tion in the choir, her long tenure as Cultural School Director (and Machar time! They also told of the joys of com- editor of our newsletter, and her un- VP) Marlene Cohen took on that task munal singing in the morning. compromising devotion to the prin- and facilitated a discussion with one ciples of Secular Humanistic recent college graduate and two high Panelists had suggestions for JCS: to Judaism. For many of us, the high school students on “Growing Up in find ways for Machar kids to link with point of each Machar year was Mary’s Machar’s Jewish Cultural School.” other Jewish kids when our goals solo singing of Oif’n Pripitshok at our match, and to keep encouraging stu- Yom Kippur service. Panelists were Daniel Mauer, 2007 dents to study conversational Hebrew graduate of Brandeis University, now with Rabbi Ben Biber, which they will So we are preparing to say goodbye to a congressional staffer on Capitol Hill; value in adulthood. Mary this fall when she starts her new Eve Gleichman, a senior at Montgom- life as a kibbutznik! The members, and ery Blair HS (MD), editor of their Congratulations to these young adults especially the children, of Kibbutz award-winning newspaper and our and their parents for all they are be- Samar, Mary’s new home, will soon well-remembered violinist for many a coming!

4 Help Wanted Musical director seeks a partner

Almost ten years ago, six members of the Congregation for Humanistic Judaism (CHJ) in Sarasota, Florida, got together to sing. Soon they became known as the Humanaires and are now a chorus of 37 voices who sing at most CHJ meetings and holidays. Their director, CHJ member David Berman, is a professor emeritus from the School of Music, Ithaca Col- lege, New York. He and his wife Alice were attracted to Attenberg photos by Jules Sarasota by its cultural qualities—theater, music, museums— appropriate music available in English, Yiddish and He- and the lovely physical surroundings. Soon after CHJ was brew as well as other languages. Lack of music reading founded, in 1996, the Bermans became active. ability or a familiarity with the various languages doesn’t create any serious problems for the the choir. Songs have The music of the Humanaires has added a wonderful facet been arranged to suit the abilities and older voices of the to CHJ meetings, and the congregation enjoys singing members. New songs are introduced with simple home along with them. The chorus has also sung for various made CDs. Dave and a paid accompanist are the only pro- other Sarasota organizations and functions such as the fessionally trained musicians in the group. Sarasota/Manatee JCC, the Jewish Federation, Americans for Peace Now, community Holocaust memorials, and lo- Dave is passionate about the Humanaires, but approaching cal retirement homes. For the past four years they have 80 years of age, he wishes there were someone with whom combined with the Sarasota Unitarian-Universalist to share the responsibilities and help create a smooth tran- Church’s chorus to sing at a U-U and a CHJ service. Their sition when he is ready to retire. The best option is finding concerts have served to make the Congregation for Hu- someone in our movement with some choral experience manistic Judaism more visible to the Sarasota Jewish com- who would relocate or retire to beautiful Sarasota and take munity as well as to many others in the Sarasota area. The over and shape the music program to his/her tastes and tal- Humanaires’ most recent concert at the JCC focused on ents. Wonderful sunny Sarasota, a great congregation, new the theme of Jewish resistance during the Holocaust. A friends, and beautiful music making! What could be better? DVD video recording of that performance, complete with song texts and narration, will be released in the fall. Meanwhile, the Humanaires continue to learn from Dave and remain as passionate as he is about enriching their lives The Humanaires rehearse once a week from late August with the joy of singing together and bringing that pleasure through April.Their repertoire includes just under 100 se- to their congregation and the community. lections, just skimming the surface of the vast amount of by Ron Fox, Sandy Cadman, Dave Berman

5 Notes from Around the Globe continued Bar Mitsva Boy helps Other members shared works they owned that were created by Jewish build darfur Group artists. The Passover seder empha- sized music with Nina Gordon and her After the Holocaust, Jews everywhere daughter Savannah in addition to our vowed “Never again.” As Jews and own Howard Weinberg. humanists, we are deeply moved by Our Jewish History Study Group the genocide occurring in Darfur and meets monthly and really enjoys the feel obligated to do something to help. stimulating discussions. “Help Darfur Now” is an organization Charlotte Klein, co- president, NY Jake Kolesky dips a strawberry as his that raises funds and awareness for brother Alex looks on. Darfur refugees. Proceeds go to humanitarian aid via Doctors without rabbi wine’s visit Borders or the International Rescue recharges Ocshj Puttermesser Papers (Ozick), Fabu- Committee. lous Small Jews (Epstein), Those Who Save Us (Blum), and will next read With Rabbi Wine and 70 others , we For his bar mitsva social action project Michael Chabon’s new book, The Yid- held our installation dinner, June 8, fol- in the CHJ of Morris County, Max dish Policemen’s Union. lowed by an all-day public forum, Sat- Littman established a “Help Darfur urday, June 9. The topic,“What Will Now” chapter. Our chapter’s first What members say about our Bible Be the Muslim Influence on the West- project, a T-shirt sale, raised more than Study class : “I never realized how ern World in the Next Quarter Cen- $400 for humanitarian aid for Darfur crazy and violent the Torah was be- tury?” brought 85 people, including refugees. Our up-and-coming b’nai fore taking this class. Having never some from our other California mitsva students are expected to take read much of it before, I’ve thoroughly communities.We held a coffee, Sun- leadership roles in running future enjoyed each Adult Education day, for prospects and are hopeful events. class. Jodi [Kornfeld] leads the class some might join.We are pleased to Lisa Littman, president, CHJ, NJ in a manner that encourages thought- welcome madrikha Rosalie Gottfried ful discussion, while adding insight (and her expertise), who transferred to from her own extensive background in westchester Wraps us from the Pacific group as she now Judaic studies, and highlights aspects lives closer to us. of the text that are relevant and mean- up the Season Sheila Bass, president, Laguna Woods ingful from a humanistic perspective. As a result of the class, I not only have It was a busy season in Westchester, Beth Chaverim dips a basic foundation in the Torah stories enjoying Shabbat services and pot luck that we have studied, but also a keen suppers in members’ homes on an al- in for its 5th year appreciation of the context and mul- most monthly basis. tiple meanings behind those stories.” We celebrated Passover with a com- Michele Rivkin Reaching out to the community, we munity seder and also a chocolate showed the film Forgotten Refugees seder during school.We continue to “I am so happy that Beth with guest speaker Vaturi Neiman. expand our monthly adult program- Chaverim formed an Adult Education Early in the year SHJ Vice President ming. In addition to the on-going Class. I never had the opportunity to BobGinsberg made a special presen- Bible study class in which we have study the Bible and especially have it tation about Humanistic Judaism, completed the Torah in English and are explained to me in such a meaningful which had been widely publicized and now into the Book of Prophets, we in- way. Jodi’s interpretations and com- was well attended. This brought a stituted a monthly Jewish book ments always make me think, and I number of guests. group. We read contemporary Jewish look forward to every class. I have American and Israeli authors and learned so much and I look forward to We held our second annual art program books with Jewish themes.To date we continuing. I even share my excitement with a guest speaker from the Jewish have read The Plot Against America with my colleagues at work!” Beth Museum in NYC and a mini exhibit (Roth), To Know a Woman (Oz), Ev- Stein of art work by some of our members. erything is Illuminated (Foer), by Linda Horn, administrator, IL 6 beth adam proud of committed teen, mitsva students, SHJ contest winners How busy we’ve been. More than 70 Shabbat participants to sign a petition members, friends and families joined to stop the genocide. We are so very CBA for our Passover seder led by BJ proud of Jenny’s commitment to CBA Saul with music by Cantor Joy Parks. It and to Humanistic Judaism. was great, singing, eating, and search- ing for the afikoman. Also in May we were involved in community service.We pitched in for the an- May 18,we celebrated Jenny Cohn’s nual Help Your Neighbor Day and col- confirmation. Jenny enrolled in the lected food donations to feed the needy Children’s Education Program in 2000 in the city of Boca Raton. when she was in third grade. Following Confirmand Jenny Cohn her bat mitsva in 2003, she participated CBA was proud to celebrate the bar/bat in the post mitsva program, became a mitsvas of Eric and Alex Lenson, Julia “Welcome: Coffee and Conversation” teacher’s assistant in the school, and be- McGrath, and Taylor Schoenfeld. When our program. We have been inviting people gan leading us in song for our Shabbat students participated in SHJ’s “Tikkun by special invitation who have shown an services. Olam/Repairing the World” contest, we interest in Humanistic Judaism and in were thrilled to see our students selected our congregation. Recently, Jenny became a branch on our as winners. Writing Competition: Jason Telephone Tree, keeping members Dobkin; Art Competition: Ben McGrath, As we look to the fall, we are excited to abreast of events. She also attended the Ashley and Adam Heller (all 4-8th grade have Cantor Joy Parks join us as pianist SHJ Teen Conclave in Chicago. For her level). and music leader for our Shabbat cel- social action project, Jenny chose Save ebrations. She brings us to new heights Darfur. She participated in rallies, in a CBA’s membership has been growing of musical enjoyment. club at her school, and she asked all due to the initiation of our monthly B.J. Saul, president, Boca Raton secular jewish circle plans for 2007-2008 Secular Jewish Circle ended the year with a gathering of gramming to add variety to our Shabbat gatherings with bet- more than 70 members celebrating our accomplishments and ter opportunities for members to get to know each other and thanking our volunteers. Special thanks went to five women new ways to celebrate.We will be expanding our regular, bi- who have extended themselves above and beyond: Erica weekly Sunday morning adult meetings to explore issues like Jonlin, Jeanne Wolf, Sarah Hopkins, Lauren Bricker, and end of life planning and living our values better. Robin Gitelman. Round that out with a Jewish deli night (not all that easy to come by in Seattle) and a rousing game On top of this, we will be increasing our participation with of “SJC Jewpardy!” and it was a great send off into the sum- the Jewish Coalition on Homelessness and have already par- mer. ticipated in the Jewish community festival, “Celebrating All Things Jewish.” Planning for 2007-2008 began in June and now the High Holidays are upon us. We are pleased that our former If all that weren’t enough, we have two exciting visits planned madrikha, Susan Levine, is leading the “Preparing Yourself next year as well. Lori Lipman Brown, the lobbyist for the for the High Holidays” gathering before Rosh Hashana, as the Secular Coalition for America, will be headed our way in well as leading our ceremony. We will also be holding our November, and Rabbi Miriam Jerris will be joining us in Feb- regular Tashlikh, Kol Nidre, and Yom Kippur day ruary. We look forward to both their visits! gatherings.We are working on strengthening our regular pro- Robin Gitelman, president, SJC of Puget Sound, WA

Use Goodsearch.com Got E_MAIL? as your search engine. Type in “Humanistic Judaism” as Send your e-mail address to [email protected] and begin to your charity and our name will appear. Then search the receive member only updates about Humanistic Juda- Web for your needs. And know that this time you will earn ism, holiday facts and greetings and more. money for SHJ while you search! 7 Notes from Around the Globe continued CHJ of Sarasota Summer living is slower in Sarasota but many Jewish events aren’t oriented our Board and committee chairs worked around food, kosher or otherwise? rallies to help to get ready for another great year at CHJ. Now, Kahal B’raira is looking forward victims of darfur Sim and Irv Lesser, co-presidents to a new home at The Fayerweather School in the Fresh Pond Area of Cam- Spring at the Congregation for Human- bridge. Although we will miss the Ju- istic Judaism (CHJ) in Sarasota brought Pacific Community daic setting we enjoyed at the Schecter a series of exciting events. Our Passover enjoys its culture School, we are convinced that certain dinner at a local country club was cel- advantages are to be had at our new lo- ebrated by more than 110 congregants The Pacific Community had an outing cation. It is reachable by public trans- plus Elijah. The month of April also in- portation (the T). It is all on one level in April to see an Israeli Academy cluded some very fine speakers: Bill for easy wheelchair access. For the first award-winning play, Master of the Hall, professor at St. Petersburg College House. At our Holocaust Memorial pro- time, KB will have its own office out- and a member of The Center for Inquiry, side of a member’s home! Also, we will gram, we watched the documentary, spoke on “The Religious Impulse.” This Paper Clips, about a Tennessee town’s be able to hold more events at the was combined with a program featuring Fayerweather, including committee efforts to help its middle school students our own wonderful chorus, The meetings, certain services, including understand the magnitude of the Holo- Humanaires, and the chorus from the caust by collecting six million paper havdala, and other events. Unitarian Universalist Church. What clips from donors all over the world. joyful singing!! So please come visit us! And, in case change is hard for some, we still will Besides this, we had our last Shabbat We celebrated Israel Independence Day hold our High Holiday services at the dinner of the year and afterwards, with a speaker from Israel, Eddie Fair watched a film about Daniel Barenboim First Parish Church in Arlington, just as Fraiman, on “Through The Eyes of a we have for years. Open to the public, and his friend Edward Said’s accom- Young Israeli.” Our Social Action Com- plishment in putting together a music with donation requested. mittee made the congregation aware of camp and a concert series for young the situation in Darfur, with speakers and You can always find us on our adult Israelis and Arabs, which culmi- a video urging us to exert pressure on website:www.kahalbraira.org. nated its first season in a concert in our government to stop the genocide. Jon Levine, Board Designee, Ramallah. CHJ members were well represented at Alice Selfridge, president, Boston, MA a rally here promoting awareness. Huntington Beach, CA The month of May had us celebrating a OR ADAM TURNS 20 very successful year at CHJ with a lun- KB is MOVIN’ On cheon followed by our annual meeting. On April 21, Or Adam celebrated our 20th anniversary with a party for mem- Those who made it such a wonderful On Sunday, June 10, Kahal B’raira bers. We feasted and danced the evening year were duly thanked and a slide show packed its tents (actually, our library, arts away with a wonderful klezmer group of pictures taken throughout the season and crafts supplies, liturgy, and many reminded all of what a super year it was. other of our worldly possessions) and featuring several of our own Or Adam musicians. Members shared fond memo- May also included a fascinating speaker, quietly melted away into the leafy spring ries of the beginnings of the group (or Dr. Meg Lowman, an environmental day. Community of Choice, Greater the start of their own involvement), and conservationist who has done much of Boston Congregation for Humanistic Ju- we gave away copies of A life of Cour- her work in forest canopy ecology. daism was on the move. age about Rabbi Sherwin Wine as door prizes, and presented honorees with gift Spring turned into summer, and CHJ The Solomon Schecter Day School, certificates for the SHJ bookstore. slowed down, meeting once a month. home to KB since autumn of 2000, is a Two meetings featured a film followed beautifully appointed Jewish day school For new members, it was a great chance by a no-muss-no-fuss Shabbat with box in suburban Newton. It is a kosher or- dinners from a local deli. The third meet- ganization. KB is not. When we began to connect to the history of Or Adam, and there was lots of excitement about ing took place at a local theater present- our “walk on the kosher side,” we were what’s ahead. ing a staged reading of a play, “A Green provided with certain ground rules and Laura Kamienny, and Sacred Place,” written by one of our a list of kosher bakeries and caterers for congregants, Corinne Fleisher. our food-oriented events. And how Board Designee, Phoenix, AZ 8 Kol Hadash, Illinois, Ends Year on High — Excitement and Involvement Continue in New Year

Spring provided many opportunities for Kol Hadash joined SHJ in its annual members of Kol Hadash Humanistic observance of May as Community Ser- Congregation in suburban Chicago to vice Month. We began the month with come together to live our Humanistic a blood drive, held on May 3, the Na- values. tional Day of Prayer, to show that, “We will answer their prayer with human ac- Our very first Congregational seder on tion.” We quickly followed this event up the second night of Passover packed the with an outreach project, serving food Bluegrass Restaurant with almost 100 at the Beth Emet soup kitchen in people. With Rabbi Peter Schweitzer’s Evanston. Continuing our regular prac- The Liberated Haggadah as our text, tice of volunteering at the Friedman Rabbi Adam Chalom led us in a mean- Center Home for the Blind, Kol Hadash ingful multigenerational seder that was congregants helped residents in a vari- warm, inclusive, and delicious. ety of ways throughout the month of May. Kol Hadash volunteers ended our month-long series of Celebrating our congregation’s sixth confirmation service, service projects by assisting in the annual West Deerfield we gathered on May 18 to confirm three wonderful young Food Pantry drive event, Three Guys and a Truck. We invite people, Amy Reed, Dayna Schwartz, and Zack Sills, who everyone in the area to join us throughout the year as we spoke eloquently of their beliefs, ideas, and experiences. continue to volunteer to serve our community.

On Mother’s Day eve, more than 150 Kol Hadashians, There are many wonderful Kol Hadash events in the coming friends, and family gathered at the Gorton Center for a spec- months. Following the High Holidays, all members are in- tacular Kol Hadash concert, My Yiddishe Momme, a concert vited to our exceptional Progressive Dinner Party, an oppor- linked by the theme of honoring family and mothers. Con- tunity for members to meet and greet each other while par- ceived and organized by frequent Kol Hadash soloist Mar- taking of delectable offerings. Additionally, our secret puzzle tin Pazdioch and Kol Hadash choir director Sarah Beatty, masterminds have returned to help us organize another in- the two-hour concert featured 25 musical numbers, repre- teresting, intriguing, and insidious treasure hunt. Members senting a cross-section of music from Jewish culture and and non-members, alike, enjoy driving around the North tradition. More than a dozen multitalented performers lent Shore, solving clues and enjoying each other’s company. Kol their talents to creating a truly magical evening of music, Hadash has a little something for every age, interest, and including Ellen Apley (soprano), Sarah Beatty (soprano), outlook! Rabbi Daniel Friedman (trumpet), Cody Hurder (violin), David Hirsch, president,confirmation teacher, Illinois The Jim Jacobs Trio (Jim Jacobs, Randy Knowles, Jerry Tiberi), Lisa Jacobs (dancer), Jennifer Lazarz (mezzo- Photo by Peter Sills shows Dayna Schwartz, Amy Reed seated; soprano), Rhonda Pawlan (piano), Martin Pazdioch Rabbi Adam Chalom, Zachary Sills and David Hirsch, standing. (voice, piano), Lois Wolens (piano) and the host for the [The Liberated Haggadah can be purchased through SHJ] evening, Rabbi Adam Chalom!

Minnesota Congregation takes on community service May 10, Or Emet members volunteered at Second Harvest Heartland. They put together 275 nutrition boxes (more than 8,000 pounds of food) for low-income seniors and mothers with young children. Laura Melnick, social action chair, arranged the event. Pictured from left, President Margo and David Fox, the Dahlager-Melnick family (Laura, Mark, Elana, Ari Dahlager), Jean and Rich Sonenblum.

9 Jewish Currents substantial mailing list. Rabbi Peter now writes a regular column in the magazine.

Shabbats included playwright James Sherman, on to the presidents & Leaders “What’s So Funny about Being Jewish?” and Julie Salamon, journalist/author, on “The Gift of Giving,” of our affiliated communities: based on her book on the topic. A final Shabbat in June honored longstanding members Nikki and Hank Alabama Marni Bonnin, Or Hadash Arizona Al Stein, Or Adam Greenberg, who left the board after years of service. California Gayle Insel, Adat Chaverim We thanked outgoing co-president Isabel Kaplan and Bernie Rosen, Kol Hadash other board members and welcomed new ones. Sheila Bass, Orange County SHJ Alice Selfridge, The Pacific Community Rabbi Peter led our congregational seder, presided over Steven Adler, HJC of San Diego several open houses for potential new members, and Colorado Jon Budoff, Beth Ami officiated at four bar/bat mitsva ceremonies. Abby Connecticut Roz Hill, CHJ, Fairfield County Cheskis, Sam Lewis, Ben Farber, and Sabrina Frank Florida B.J. Saul, Congregation Beth Adam made their families and congregation proud. The con- Irv and Sim Lesser, CHJ, Sarasota gregation set a record with seven ceremonies this year! Elyse Magill, Beth Chaverim Illinois [TCC is the recipient of the SHJ Pivnick Grant to sup- David Hirsch, Kol Hadash port the transition to a full-time rabbi.] Massachusetts Dick & Roberta Bauer, Kahal B’raira Michigan Peter Molnar, Birmingham Temple Minnesota Margo Fox, Or Emet Trips/outings included accompanying Rabbi Peter to New Jersey Lisa Littman, Morris County CHJ the National Museum of American Jewish History in New York Barry Swan, Beth Haskalah Philadelphia for a special tour of his recently-donated David Bogard, The City Congregation collection of Jewish Americana, a trip to Chinatown Caren Cooper, Kol Haverim, FLCHJ for a gourmet dim sum lunch (part of our Restaurants Len Cherlin, Long Island Havurah Around the World series), and an AIDS Walk to raise Edward J. Klein, Queens CCJ money and awareness for AIDS research. In July we Murray Kramer, Baruch Spinoza SHJ visited New York’s Museum of Jewish Heritage for the Charlotte Klein, Howard Weinberg, exhibit, “The Other Promised Land: Vacationing, Iden- Westchester CHJ tity, and the Jewish-American Dream,” featuring more Scott Randell, Triangle CHJ North Carolina of Rabbi Peter’s collection. Oregon Sharon Buckmaster, Kol Shalom, CHJ Pennsylvania Laura Cohn Shir Shalom, CHJ WA, D.C. Thomas Gordon, Machar Our Teen Group attended an exhibit at the Jewish Mu- Washington Robin Gitelman, Steve Rowe, Secular seum entitled “Good and Evil in American Comics,” de- Jewish Circle livered Purim packages to elderly shut-ins with a local Canada David Morrison, Oraynu organization called Dorot, and set up and staffed several booths at our annual KidSchool Purim Carnival. Notes from Around the Globe continued The City Congregation recaps As reported earlier, we purchased some congregational software called Rakefet. We focused initially on its highlights of a “great year” database capabilities and are now transitioning our fi- nances into the program, which will streamline our fi- Hello from The City Congregation! Much has happened nancial operations and enable all of our financial ac- including exciting Shabbat programs, bar/bat mitsvas, tivity to occur in our office. KidSchool classes, Adult Perspectives discussions, and congregational outings. The City Congregation has had a great year in 2006- 2007. We look forward to more growth and wonderful Rabbi Peter Schweitzer and Larry Bush, editor of Jewish congregational events in the upcoming year! High Holi- Currents, combined organizations to co-sponsor a program day services will begin September 13 at the Marriott featuring Lori Lipman Brown of the Secular Coalition for Financial Center in Manhattan. America. On a one time basis, TCC was able to contact the Isabel Kaplan, outgoing co-president, New York City 10 Building Community by Rabbi Miriam Jerris To Be or Not To: That Is the Choice Most of us remember the first time we learned about reality is that a Humanistic Judaism and had the “aha” experience, when congregation we knew that finally we had found a Jewish home. For needs energy, re- many, it happened later in life. I was extremely fortu- sources, and cre- nate. I discovered Humanistic Judaism when I was a ativity to grow, young married woman, before I had children. And I lived and when a con- in Metro Detroit, where a full service Humanistic congregation is in de- gregation existed. Not only had I found my psycho-spiri- cline those enti- tual home, but the home had a house, a school, and a ties are not readily rabbi, everything that I had grown up with in Reform available. How- Judaism. And it had a philosophy that was consistent ever, there is no with my beliefs. This good fortune inspired me toward choice in this re- my life’s work. I wanted everyone else who had yearned gard because a for a Humanistic Jewish identity and home to have one. congregation either grows or dies. When membership begins to dwindle, the most common impulse is to pull The process is challenging. Today I speak to two issues: back, to decrease programming, to reduce advertising, growth and the difficulties that arise in not growing and to close the school, to withdraw from community in- the difficulty in attracting young families to Humanistic volvement. That is the gravest of errors; it hastens the Judaism. decline.

To quote the Unitarian Universalist Handbook, “A con- It may seem counterintuitive, but crisis and decline cre- gregation either grows or dies.” A difficulty with that ate an appropriate breeding ground for renewal. It is during this time that the community needs to reconnect with its corporate memory and recall times in its prior history that created excitement and energy. It also needs to assess what contributions the congregation can make to the spiritual life of the community in which it resides to reenergize its own community.

Secondly, why is it so difficult for our communities to attract young families? For most young families in which Jewish identity is a priority, a full service congregational experience is desired. The lives of these families often are too busy and too complex to put the kind of time that is necessary into a new, growing, pioneering community. The cultural Jewish philosophy may be impor- CHJ, Fairfield County, CT, elects new officers: stand- tant to them but may not be as important as a significant ing ready (from left) are Ellie Shafer (Exec VP), Roz Jewish experience for their children. New Humanistic Hill (President), Ruth Windsor (VP Programming), Theodora Bednarski (Ritual), Suzanne Friedman (Sec- Jewish communities tend to be smaller and less expen- retary), Gail Ostrow (Newsletter), Elsa Cantor (Social sive and to meet less frequently. And because our com- Action), Mike Hill (High Holiday Logistics), Dana Preis munities are smaller and have fewer resources, often we (Treasurer). (continued on next page)

11 Support the Fund for Humanistic Judaism Building Communities Training Leaders Developing Resources

Community Development Curricula and Training The Sherwin T. Wine Group Development Fund helps The Society sponsors training programs and provides nurture and develop Humanistic Jewish communities resources for youth and adult education. Membership and leadership. This fund enables humanistic rabbis and orientation, three-year adult study groups, adult bar/ other leaders to visit established and developing com- bat mitsvas and confirmations, and manuals on history, munities; energize, strengthen, and guide them; and in- culture, music, holidays, and life cycles allow mem- crease the visibility and outreach capabilities of the com- bers to learn about Humanistic Judaism and connect to munities and the Movement. The Miriam Jerris Com- our heritage. munity Development Fund supports communities in promoting weekend events. Rabbinic and Leadership Training Youth and Young Adult Programs The International Institute for Secular Humanistic Ju- The Society for Humanistic Judaism Teen and Young daism is the academic arm of the Movement. The Rab- Adult Conclaves help establish bonds among our teens binic Program prepares men and women to become the and reinforce both their Jewish identity and their con- spiritual leaders and mentors of Secular Humanistic nection with Humanistic Judaism. Young adult programs communities. Similarly, the leadership, educators’, and at Society conferences and humanistic havurot on uni- music programs train individuals to serve the ceremo- versity campuses provide a forum for discussion and nial, philosophic, and educational needs of our com- the sharing of ideas among college students at a time munities. The masters degree program builds on the when they are self-identifying, inquiring, and most re- knowledge base of the above programs and provides ceptive to new ideas and information. an advanced course of Jewish study relevant to the movement. Gifts to the Society’s Scholarship Fund allow future Jewish leaders to focus on their seminary Publications studies without the distractions imposed by financial Society publications provide a ready reference and re- need. source for individuals, families, and communities to create meaningful holiday and life-cycle observations as well as educational programs for adults and young Seminars, Conferences, and Colloquia people. The Guide to Humanistic Judaism, for example, The Society sponsors national and regional conferences offers an overview to our philosophy. The topical and and seminars that enhance the emotional and intellec- timely journal, Humanistic Judaism, features issue-ori- tual lives of Humanistic Jews across North America. ented articles and regular departments such as book re- These events bring nationally and internationally re- views, travel, and regional events. Society Holiday Kits nowned scholars, lecturers, and teachers to Society com- bring Humanistic Jewish holiday celebrations into munities and congregations. homes, dorm rooms, and beyond.

To Be or Not To... continued from page 11 are unable to provide substantive and adequate program- ism. It takes time to develop, but it also takes more than ming for this demographic. We may be able to provide a handful of individuals to create a movement. Each of the substance without the infrastructure, but that may us needs to ask the question, “What am I doing to con- not be enough for young Jewish families today. Young tribute to the growth and development of Humanistic Ju- families want all the bells and whistles: a rabbi, a build- daism? What else can I do?” We value and appreciate ing, a full youth education program, and programming every individual’s contribution and look forward to ex- for families. We are a relatively new movement in Juda- panding our efforts with your help. The choice is ours. 12 From the Executive Director, Bonnie Cousens Share the Vision, Think BIG

A new year is begin- To celebrate Jewish identity: Humanistic Judaism ning. It is a time for opens a door to Jewish culture. It is our link to our heri- planning, a time for tage. Creative human-centered Jewish celebrations — vision, a time to the holidays and life cycles Jews have celebrated through- think BIG. In 1963, out history — empower us. They comfort and energize. eight families and a They fill us with a sense of well-being and hope. They rabbi embarked on help us to know that we can seize the moment and achieve an adventure, creat- goals we might imagine are unreachable. ing a new movement in Jewish life. They To spread the word: Humanistic Judaism is unique. dared to think BIG, We offer a human-centered, non-theistic alternative to to create a Judaism the celebration of Jewish identity, an alternative that pro- that would have vides a Jewish connection for secular, cultural, unaffili- meaning and value ated, intercultural, disenfranchised, disenchanted, and in their lives and in the lives of all who joined them. free-thinking Jews in an increasingly religious world. Each of us has the power to be an ambassador for this Had they thought small, had they been content to accept alternative: to talk about our communities, our beliefs, the status quo, had they been willing to be a small group our celebrations, our programs, our schools, our stands of friends gathering in a living room, had they kept what on the issues. Each of us can help bring Humanistic Ju- they were doing a secret, had they believed they could daism to the fore — in our community and in the media. succeed without funding, we would not have a movement today. They entrusted their creation to us. It is our To fund our vision: Humanistic communities cannot turn to think BIG, our turn to accept the responsibility: survive, rabbis and madrikhim cannot be trained, pro- fessional leadership will not serve, programs cannot be To help Humanistic Judaism grow: Members are the offered, resources cannot be created, if funding does not lifeblood of our movment. Reach out to your family, to exist. Each of us is needed to help finance our move- your friends and colleagues. Invite them to a program. ment. Contribute to your local SHJ community. Support Introduce them to the journal Humanistic Judaism. Share the Fund for Humanistic Judaism. Include the SHJ in a Shabbat, a Hanukka celebration, a seder with them. your estate plan. And remember to pay your member- Shmooze with the newcomers at a community event. Ask ship dues quickly and in full. them to join your community. And when they do, recognize that your job isn’t done. Create a buddy system so To get involved with SHJ nationally. Get to know other they always feel welcome in the community. Ask them SHJ members. Visit SHJ communities when you travel. to join you for dinner before a Shabbat. Involve them in Attend the SHJ conference in Los Angeles in April. Send the life of your community. Invite them to help plan a your children and granchildren to the youth conclave in program or to join a committee. April. Join an SHJ committee. Come to the Colloquium in October. And be sure to let SHJ know your community has a new member — the Society will welcome them and provide If each of us chooses to think BIG, to share a global vi- a connection to other Humanistic Jews around the coun- sion for Humanistic Judaism, our movement will grow try. We’ll send them the Guide to Humanistic Judaism and thrive. Being a Humanistic Jew is a choice. It is also and a home Shabbat celebration as a gift. They’ll start to a responsibility. Join me in accepting this responsibility, receive the journal. They’ll feel connected and your com- in making 5768 a year of growth and accomplishment munity will gain a knowledgable, involved member. for the Society for Humanistic Judaism. Shana tova. 13 2006-2007 FUND FOR HUMANISTIC JUDAISM The Society for Humanistic Judaism is pleased to thank the contributors to the 2006-2007 Fundraising Campaign. ! juf rah DOUBLE CHAI Gordon Gamm Gary Samuels Sheldon Patinkin Sylvia Green $3,600 and more Marcia & Joseph Grossman Marlene & Eugene Shapiro Hank Prensky Alma & Irving Guralnick Beatrice & Robert Herman Rosanne & Rudy Simons Betty Rich Esther Ibisch Ida Braun Jordan Jay Hillman Phyllis Spiegel Hal Rogoff Lynne Jacobs & Alan Silverblatt Jane & Mike Goldhamer Marie Hobart & William Kadish Carol Steinberg & Jerome Rubin Sylvia & Ira Rose Svjetlana & Jason Jannett Lorraine & Ben Pivnick Rabbi Miriam Jerris & Stephen Muriel Sterne & Phil Griffin Kenneth Rosenzweig Mark L. Kahn Bert Steinberg Stawicki Annette & Allen Stone Stephanie & Stuart Ross Bertha Kainen Steven Jonas Marian & Henry Summerfield Deane & Barry Safir Pera Kane CHAI PLUS Ruth & Paul Kadish Roberta & Mike Varble Jamie & Martin Schrero Eugene & Florence Kaplan $2,500 and more Lucy & Alan Katz Audrey & Gerald Weinberg George Schutzer Ely Karasik Jeanette & Barney Katzman Enid & Steven Wetzner Leslie & Brian Sheitman Betty-Chia Karro & Henry Gassner Phyllis & Alan* Jacobs Myriam & Nestor Kleer David & Katie Wittenberg Bernice & Jack Stein Erika & Ralph Keith Rollie & Leonard Langer Connie & Gerald Wolberg Ralph Stein Henry Kellerman CHAI Miriam Leventhal & Norman Tepley Beverly & Ephraim Young Doris & Larry Strauss Robert Kenler $1,800 and more Diana & Gerald Lieberman Julia Sukenik Charlotte & Arthur Klein Ellie & Louis Altman Claire Lipten SUPPORTER Jean Sulkes Kristen & Shawn Klein Harold Londer & Janette Withers Phoebe & Eugene Telser Helen & Irwin Klibaner Ethel Horowitz Blanchard $100 and more Rema Frankel Marcia & Irving Miller Jennifer Traub & Paul Epstein Vered & Israel Klinghofer Priscilla & Paul Molnar Jules Abrams & Anita Willens Harry Velick Lynne & Stephen Koffler Shari & Richard Gelber Vivien & Lloyd Abrams Ilene & Robert Ginsberg Shirley Monson Joan & Paul Waller Evelyn & David Kreger Joyce & Gordon Asseltine Bruce & Susan Jerris Janice & Marshall Moranz Elaine Warshauer Claudi & Jorge Lach Zelma & Morris Axelrod Julie & Peter Warshaw Dana & Rick Naimark Mark Pittman & Janice Steinhardt Larry Lawrence & Amy Kotkin Joan & Michael Prival Youval Balistra & Glen Loev Janet & William Zelman Bernice Lebo Susan & Malcom Robinson Samuel Ballen Marge & Manny Ziegler Sima & Irv Lesser BENEFACTOR Howard Rosman Judith & Michael Beltzman Anonymous Claire Levine $1,000 and more Sarah & Joel Rosner Robin Bluestone-Miller & Arni Miller Judith & Gerald Levinson Sheila Bass Harriet Schaffer Audrey & Gerald Bricker CONTRIBUTOR Rabbi Stanley Levy Barbara & Sy Schnuer Elihu Brooks Elliot O. Lipchik Judith & Edward Berne $99 and less Joyce Burkoff Arthur Segal Laura & Robert Brownstein Jane & Kurt Loebel Alexander Abels Susan & Robert Citrin Bunny & Mel Shaw Susan Chalom Susan Lucker & Melvin Nemkov Judy & Michael Ackerman Ruth & Gil Feldman Dale Silverberg Violet & Leonard Cherlin Frances Makower Susan & Roger Addelson Sybil & Morris Fenkell Foundation Sally & Allan Skoropa Irene & Arnold Citron Rabbi Steven J. Mason Maxine & Stuart Frankel Foundation Dan Tobocman & Debra Deruyver Paula & Ron Creed Marvin Adelberg Mildred Mauer Deborah & Steve Adler Doralee & Irving Goldman Sharon Tolman & Jack Silver Susan Davis & Kenneth Fisher Harriet Maza Muriel & Irv Adler Phillip Gould Idell & Lawrence Weisberg Ann & lawrence Ellenbogen Alice McCoy Elaine & Mort Appleton Joyce & Richard Hirsch Paula Wolk & P.A.M. Spierings Mark & Joyce Ellyne Debra & Maynard Metler Dorothie & Ed Baker Elyse Pivnick & Norman Glickman Cynthia & Howard Epstein Elisabeth Michnick Margaret A Beach Alice & Victor Ross Philip Epstein Laurie Miller & Ahmed Al-Hujazi FRIEND Tatyana & Schneor Berezin Aviva & Robert Sandler Joe Patrick Evans Merrill Miller & Nancy Tavalin $150 and more Gabie Berliner Herb Silverman & Sharon Fratepietro Jeanne & John Franklin Sandy Miller Citron Sandra & Lawrence Altman Evelyn & Arthur Bernstein Teddi Smokler Judith & Allan Freund Sharon & Alan Miller Jacqueline & David Beaver Melissa Biren & Rob Agree Elsa & Barry Waxman Harriet Gales Gloria & Bert Moldow Alice & David Berman Judith & Howard Garrett Elaine & Marty Birn Lara & Rabbi Ben Morrow James Blinkoff Ellen & Lee Gertner Barbara Bloom Bennett Muraskin DONOR Joseph & Susan Boston Ruth & George Gilbert Jane Blumberg Kal Nager $500 and more Bonnie Brenner & Earl Rudner Debra & Victor Goldberg David Brandon Barbara & William Nemoyten Ann & Harold* Black Barbara & Marty Burnstein Joe Goldfinger Harriet Brandt Hans Nord Carolyn Borman Irving Burton Sylvia Goldman Arlene & Hank Bregman Maxine & Rick Pascal Marilyn & Sam Brownstein Bobbie & Mark Byron Gayla & Herb Halbrecht Barbara & Philip Brogadir Rita Permut Bonnie & Mark Cousens Roy Calder MariaRosa & Alvin Halpern Sarah Buxbaum Ellen Rapkin Constense & Jarvis Doctorow Judy Capel Naomi & Julius Harwood Jane & Robert Campbell Maurice Rapkin Bernard Eiber* Arthur Cohen & Elizabeth Karcher Phyllis & Lawrence Hecker Flora Chale & Charles Hellman Esther & David Redding Sarah & Gideon Gartner Myrna & Garrett Cohn Lewis Hellerstein Joyce Cheresh & Seymour Blustein Judith & James Reiter Deborah & David Godden Sue & John Dreifus Rabbi Tom Heyn Chernah Coblentz Peggy Robin & Bill Adler Rabbi Eva Goldfinger Charleen & Theodore Feinberg Isabel & Charles Himelhoch Marlene Cohen & Michael Kidwell Betty & Bert Rosen Judith & Robert Goren Sonya & Stephen Friedman Ron Hirsch Dudley Cooper Trust Robert Rosenblatt Phyllis Patt Gross Martin Gerotwol Helen Husid Marjorie L. Danziger Sharon & James Roth Jerome Grossman Ruth & Lewis Goldfarb Marie & Simon Jaglom Matthew Denenberg Susan & Franklin Rubenstein Cornell & Alice Jaray Cynthia & Robert Goldstein Resa Jannett Herenia & Edd Doerr Ira Rubinfeld Meg & Lawrence Kasdan Shirley Gotthelf Elaine Kamienny Bert & Marjory Donn Faye Sandler Robert Kaufman Susan & Michael Green David H. Kaplan Ethel & Saul Dursht Nat Sandler Mattlin Foundation William Gurolnick Eileen & Sherman Kaplan Sari Dworkin & Kathryn Bumpass BJ & Richard Saul Susan & Roderick McLeod Lillian Gutner Gerri & Len Karasik Lynda Eisen Amy Schneider & Ed Sciore Faith & Steve Oremland Hana & Carl Hartman Adele Kaserman Stella & Merwin Ellis Annette Selmon Esti & Marvin Rosenblum Adelle Heller Barbara Kopitz & William Lichtig Ethel & Philip Ellison Roseabelle Shafran Beverly & Lewis Siegel Rabbi Jay Heyman & Kanit Cottrell Lynn & Ari Kresch Julian Ertz Irwin & Annette Shapiro Heidi & Mark Silverstein Arnold Kanter Ann Kutnick Sid Falik Mimi & Michael Shaw Marshall Weinberg Marion & Herbert Karol Sharon & Phil Lagas Roz Falk Sandra & Michael Shelist Henrietta Wexler Carol & Mitchell Klein Bernice & Robert Lasker Beverly & Harold Fertig Eugene Shifrin Paula & Stanley Wolfe Edward J. Klein Roz Leighton Elaine Finger Patricia & Joseph Silverman Emily & Joseph Krinsky Estelle Levine Robert Fishman Merav Simon-Tov & Paul Leavitt Harriet Kroll Karen & Gary Levy Helene Flapan PATRON Rosanne Singer & Steve Mencher Arnold S. Lerner Roberta Litwin Carol & Fred Fletcher Mabel & Jochanan Stenesh $250 and more Harry & Sandra Lerner Joan & Philip Lorber Margo & David Fox Jane Stolzman & Marc Hoffman Susan & Al Averbach Shirley Lezell & H A Lezell Machar, the Washington CSHJ Lee R. Franklin-Keydel Karen Tashima & Evan Kaiser Paula Bass Robert Lubin Hannah Matthews Stephanie Fried Joyce & Kerry Vesper Patricia & Allan Becker Barbara & Stephen Mandell Bergie Maza Jeanette & James Gardner Tovah Wax Shirley Schneider Behrendt Lee Mandell Jim Mindling Dennis Geller Fredrica Wechsler Lucia Brandon Edith & Glenn Mellow Kimberly & Peter Molnar Elgie Ginsburgh Judith Weiss Susana & Ze’ev Brat Shirley Ostrovitz Lisa & Robert Nearier D’vora Gittelson Thyra Wexler Alison & Rabbi Adam Chalom Arlene Pearlman Riv & Edward Neiss Hy Gold Isabel & Melvin Wolock Gail Farber Elaine Pector Eileen Newman Nancy & James Goldstein Paul & Louise Wyler Cecil Feldman Bert Rothschild & Shirley Franklin Milton Okin Dennis Gorman Betty Zelman Sam Fogel Gila & Kenneth Rowe Lillian & Jack Olshansky Bobbi Graff Helen & Saul Forman Jutta Organek & Milton Matz *deceased

14 Tributes

To Rabbi Miriam Jerris SHJ tributes support every occasion. To Lucia Brandon In honor of her new appointment as In honor of her birthday SHJ Community Development Director Support Humanistic Judaism, From SHJ From Lucie Brandon & Bert Steinberg remember a loved one: Bert Steinberg Bonnie & Mark Cousens Sherwin Wine Group Development Fund To Bonnie & Mark Cousens & family Miriam Jerris Development Fund Benjamin & Miriam Pecherer In memory of her father Joseph Cohen Miriam Jerris & Steve Stawicki Community Development Fund From Lucie Brandon & Bert Steinberg Bass Community Development Fund Judi & Alan Freund To Jane Goldhamer & family Bess & Boaz Siegel Jewish Culture Fund David & Elissa Koppy In memory of Mike Goldhamer Pivnick Family Rabbinic Fund SHJ College Havura Program From SHJ To Beth Cousens Bonnie & Mark Cousens Youth Programs In memory of her grandfather Joseph Publications Joe & Marcia Grossman From Jamie & David Becker Shari & Richard Gelber Public Relations Miriam Jerris & Steve Stawicki Scholarship Fund To Mary Jane Zukin Endowment Fund Harriet Maza In honor of her birthday From Lucie Brandon & Bert Steinberg To Bruce Eiber, Esq. To the Siegel Family In memory of Bernard M. Eiber, Esq. In memory of Bess Siegel To Leona Shapiro From Lucie Brandon & Bert Steinberg From Beth & Carl Riseman Wishing her good health Bonnie Cousens Sherry & Jeffrey Lesser From Lucie Brandon & Bert Steinberg Ann Zack Rossi & family To Rabbi Greg Epstein Sarah Zack Levin To Etty Dolin On receiving his Masters of Lee Wagman In honor of her birthday Divinity from Harvard Mary & Jack Baroff From Lucie Brandon & Bert Steinberg From SHJ Mary Blechman & Harold Ruben Shari & Richard Gelber Diane & Emery Klein To Ruth & Leah Becker Bonnie & Mark Cousens Mary S. Lewis In memory of Carol Line Miriam Jerris & Steve Stawicki Pauline Robb From Bonnie & Mark Cousens Chris Listorti & Robert Findler To Roger Adelson To Sharon Gittelsohn Wishing you a speedy recovery To the Karel & Sheila Bass Fund for In celebration of her birthday From Bonnie & Mark Cousens Community Development From Lucie Brandon & Bert Steinberg Miriam Jerris & Steve Stawicki In celebration of Sheila ‘s 75th birthday To the family of Ruth Padug In celebration of 2nd birthday In memory of Ruth To Cathy Bernstein of Karly & Rachel From Midred Fine In celebration of her birthday In celebration of Paula ‘s birthday From Lucie Brandon & Bert Steinberg From Sheila Bass To Mary Lewis Honor the Passages of Life In memory of her sister Rose Agins From Bonnie & Mark Cousens A tribute lets friends know you care. Pauline Forman Robb Please Print Harriet Maza & Ed Chalom YES! I would like to send: an SHJ Tribute for a donation of ______(minimum $5 US) or To Joe Steinberg & family an SHJ Certificate for a donation of ______(minimum $25 US) In memory of his sister Ruth From Bonnie & Mark Cousens Please allocate tribute to: ______Fund. To Saul Forman In honor of his birthday TO:______in memory / honor (circle one) a donation to the College Havura Program From Miriam Jerris & Steve Stawicki Address:______of______Bonnie & Mark Cousens

To Amy & Jeff Voigt ______FROM:______In honor of their birthdays a donation to the College Havura Program Return to: SHJ, 28611 W. 12 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills, MI 48334 From Miriam Jerris & Steve Stawicki Bonnie & Mark Cousens mo15rF315 SHJ UPCOMING EVENTS

September 12-14, 2007 RABBI EVA GOLDFINGER ROSH HASHANA VISIT TO TRIANGLE CHJ, NC. Contact: Lois Alpern, (919) 493-4768, [email protected].

September 21-23, 2007 RABBI MIRIAM JERRIS YOM KIPPUR VISIT TO OR ADAM, PHOENIX, AZ. Contact: Dana Naimark, (480) 663-7788, [email protected].

October 17-19, 2007 SHJ BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING. Contact: SHJ, (248) 478-7610, [email protected].

October19-21, 2007 COLLOQUIUM ’07: Jews and the Muslim World — Solving the Puzzle, IISHJ, Farmington Hills, MI. Contact: IISHJ, (248) 476-9532, [email protected].

October 27-28, 2007 RABBI MIRIAM JERRIS VISIT TO QUEENS CCJ, NY Contact: Ed Klein, (718) 380-5362, [email protected].

November 2-4, 2007 IISHJ SEMINAR, Phoenix, AZ. Contact: IISHJ, (248) 476-9532, [email protected].

November 17-18, 2007 IISHJ SEMINAR, “Jews and Arabs,” New York, NY. Contact: IISHJ, (248) 476- 9532, [email protected].

February 22-24, 2008 RABBI MIRIAM JERRIS VISIT TO SECULAR JEWISH CIRCLE OF PUGET SOUND, Seattle, WA. Contact: Robin Gitelman, (425) 313-0484, [email protected].

March 6-9, 2008 RABBI MIRIAM JERRIS VISIT TO KOL HADASH HUMANISTIC CONGREGA- TION, Highland Park, IL. Contact: Rabbi Adam Chalom, (847) 347-3003, info@kolhadash,com.

April 2-4, 2008 SHJ BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING, Los Angeles, CA. Contact: SHJ, (248) 478-7610, [email protected].

April 4-8, 2008 Connecting to Judaism: I Did It My Way — SHJ CONFERENCE & TEEN/ YOUNG ADULT CONCLAVE ’08 plus TOUR, Los Angeles, CA. Contact: SHJ, (248) 478-7610, [email protected].

September 28-30, 2008 RABBI MIRIAM JERRIS VISIT TO WESTCHESTER COMMUNITY FOR HUMANISTIC JUDAISM, NY. Contact:Howard Weinberg, [email protected].

SOCIETY FOR HUMANISTIC JUDAISM Non-Profit Org. 28611 West Twelve Mile Road U.S.Postage Farmington Hills, MI 48334 PAID Farmington Hills, MI ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Permit No. 349

TIME VALUE In Memoriam A Tribute to Rabbi Sherwin T. Wine January 25, 1928-July 21, 2007

July 22, 2007 Around the world, Wine taught that human dignity, courage, and love are our most important values, not religious Dear friends, obedience. He publicly debated religious fundamentalists such as Jerry Falwell and Meir Kahane. And he refused the It is with profound sadness that I inform you of the death religious veneer that America so values in its leaders. Though of one of the greatest Humanist leaders of the 20th Cen- he kept the title rabbi, he did not pray or praise a god he did tury, my beloved friend and teacher Rabbi Sherwin T. Wine, not believe in. The movement he founded and the career he the 2003 American Humanist of the Year. Rabbi Wine and pioneered— creating a new tradition that I am proud to be his longtime partner, Richard McMains, were vacationing among those dedicating our lives to carrying on— was never in Morocco. Returning from dinner Saturday evening, July about being against god but rather about moving beyond 21, in Essaouira, their taxicab was hit by another driver. god to create humanist community, led by humanist profes- Both Rabbi Wine and the taxi driver were killed instantly. sionals, for the benefit of all human beings. McMains survived the collision and currently is hospital- ized in stable condition. If we learn one thing from Rabbi Wine’s loss, let it be this: now that the world’s attention has turned to the 1.1 billion non-religious people on earth, and now that bestselling books In the informal feedback the Humanist Chaplaincy at on atheism by authors such as Richard Dawkins and Chris- Harvard has gathered from our conference, “The New topher Hitchens have shown millions what Humanists do Humanism,” at Harvard this past April, Sherwin Wine was not believe in, let us follow Sherwin’s example and dedi- chosen more than any other presenter as the most outstand- cate ourselves to building a positive alternative to traditional ing speaker of the weekend-long event, which included religion. Let us build communities, organizations, and fami- such world-famous figures as Salman Rushdie, E.O. Wil- lies that do good for ourselves and others, based on the Hu- son, Amartya Sen, and Steven Pinker. As one younger con- manist ethic of reason, compassion, and creativity. ference attendee wrote, he was “the surprise speaker who blew me away.” But for those of us fortunate enough to Sherwin Wine, like Eleanor Roosevelt, knew that it is bet- know Rabbi Wine, his excellence came as no surprise. He ter to light a candle than curse the darkness. So in moving was not only among the greatest and most knowledgeable forward, let us remember the words he wrote in the moving orators I have seen, he was also a compassionate and wise liturgical song, “Ayfo Oree” leader who showed thousands of people what it means to (“Where is My Light?”): be good without god. (A video of Rabbi Wine’s stirring Where is my light? speech at Harvard in April 2007 will be available later this My light is in me. week at http://harvardhumanist.org and at www.shj.org.) Where is my hope? My hope is in me. Wine performed thousands of weddings, funerals, bar and Where is my strength? bat mitsvas, and baby-naming ceremonies based not on My strength is in me. obedience to or praise of god but on a celebration of the And in you. And in you. human spirit. He listened at the bedside of sick and dying patients with the same passion, commitment, and warmth Rabbi Greg M. Epstein, that drove him to found numerous successful organizations, Humanist Chaplain, Harvard including the Society for Humanistic Judaism, the Inter- national Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism, and the prepared by Harriet Maza Society for Humanistic Judaism Humanist Institute. July 2007 Grieving for the Lost Moments, the Laugh I Will Not Hear Again Twenty-nine years ago, on a summer miss my daily trips across the hall to his evening, in a room lined with books, I office, knowing we would shmooze a met a man who would change my life. bit before getting down to business. I was there to learn about a congregation for my family; I embarked on a And the loss is public, global, a loss each life path that would challenge, excite, of us feels. We have lost our founder, and engage me. I found a teacher, a our visionary, the man who brought us guide, a mentor, a friend. This week, Humanistic Judaism, who gave us a on another summer evening, in a room home, a place to discover a Judaism that filled with friends, I said good-bye to brings meaning to our lives, a way to strengthen Humanistic communities, to this man. connect to our heritage and celebrate a make Humanistic Judaism a force in the culture that enriches. We grieve for our Jewish world. Today there is a hole in Rabbi Sherwin Wine is dead, killed in teacher, the man who provided a win- my heart, a hole in my movement. My a tragic traffic accident, in a small town dow on world issues. He inspired and friend and colleague, my guide and in Morocco many of us had never heard challenged us to find the best in our- teacher, is dead. He taught us that death of. The loss I feel is very personal, very selves, to understand that each of us has is real. But life goes on. Sherwin Wine private. I grieve for the lost moments, an obligation to fulfill the values of hu- will live on in our memories and in our the laugh I will not hear again, how his man dignity, honesty, courage. actions. He will live on in Humanistic eyes would crinkle when he smiled, the Judaism. And we will remember. stories he will not tell, the meals we Sherwin Wine shared his vision with us. will not share, the private times when Humanistic Judaism is his legacy. Our Zekher tsadik livrakha, the memory of he was there for me, the clarity he challenge is to fulfill his vision, to build a good person is a blessing. would bring to any complex issue, the Humanistic Judaism as he imagined it, Bonnie Cousens, Executive Director, opportunities to learn from him. I will to train leaders and rabbis, to create and Society for Humanistic Judaism

SHJ Selects Rabbi Sherwin Wine Humanist Hero of the Year Each year the Society selects a Human- tic Jews hold. This year we will honor landscape of Judaism. We will honor ist hero to honor, a person whose life our founder, Rabbi Sherwin Wine. His Rabbi Wine in our communities and exemplifies the values we as Humanis- courage to act on his vision changed the celebrate his life at our conference. Rabbi pledges to serve Movement As a member of a reform congregation, mately founding the International Insti- I celebrated my bat mitsva under the tu- tute for Secular Humanistic Judaism. telage of a young, attractive, brilliant and With the establishment of the Institute funny rabbi – Sherwin T. Wine. When I and the rabbinic seminary, my childhood finished my Torah and Haftorah read- dream becomes a possibility. In 2001, ings, I experienced a sense of euphoria Rabbi Sherwin Wine ordains me as a combined with the strong desire to be- rabbi and my dream is realized. come a rabbi. Upon graduating from university, I requested an application for We have suffered a devastating loss. We the rabbinic program from Hebrew are a community of mourners, intensely Union College, the Reform Seminary, sad and in great pain. As the President only to discover that women could not of the Association of Humanistic Rab- commitment to the recruitment of rab- become rabbis. Who knew? bis, I am poised to continue the vision, binic students and to strengthening the passion, and life work of my mentor, IISHJ Leader Education programs. It Fast forward to the 1980s: I have now teacher, colleague, and friend. He has will be my privilege to honor Sherwin been involved in Humanistic Judaism entrusted me and many others to make Wine’s legacy by working to ensure the since the early ’70s, reuniting with my his dreams a reality as he did for mine. I future leadership of the Secular Human- childhood rabbi. Sherwin Wine is cre- am honored to serve the Movement in istic Jewish movement. ating connections and coalitions, ulti- this capacity and pledge my energies and Rabbi Miriam Jerris, president AHR (b) “Powerful People Leave Powerful Memories,” he wrote

“Tamara,” he said in a low ish life continues to thrive. And Keeping the booming voice, “please come we can keep his legacy alive. flame alive into my office.” “I am in big trouble,” I thought. And I did There is a word “Dignity.” He A flame continues to burn in the not want to be in trouble with defined it. He lived it. And he human heart long after a per- Rabbi Wine. That seemed to- taught us all how to capture it. son dies. Sometimes it is so pal- tally terrifying. After class I We are the masters of our own pable, so warm and vital, that walked through his office lives. We will not betray his life our senses confuse it for real- doors only to discover that my work by stopping at despair. ness. “Powerful people leave mother was inside, holding a We will feel our feelings but powerful memories,” he wrote. birthday cake with lit candles. we will not stop there. The flame burns tall and wide. The two of them had been in It has breadth and depth. The cahoots. He sang to me, out of The fire is not diminished. It flint and stone were struck by tune and too loud, “Happy burns stronger than ever. You the life of Rabbi Sherwin Wine. birthday to you…” My mother are at the heart of the heat. He built the tower of fire. He then read me a card in which Rabbi Wine started the fire. We lived the life of courage. she presented a trip to Israel for will keep it burning. my birthday present. Rabbi Rabbi Tamara Kolton, Bir- The moment has arrived. The Wine had picked the trip. He mingham Temple one we all dreaded the most. was as close to me in that mo- Rabbi Wine has died. His death ment as a father can be. was sudden. We did not have time to say goodbye or to pre- Rabbi Wine did not create Hu- pare our hearts. How many manistic Judaism for himself. times did we hear others or He created it for us. He built even ask ourselves, “What will this movement in order for it we do without him?” to exist in the world. Human- istic Judaism is an alternative When I was 16, Rabbi Wine in Jewish life that needs to ex- asked me to stay after class. ist in order to ensure that Jew- The family of Rabbi Sherwin T. Wine has asked that contributions in his memory be directed to support the Secular Hu- manistic Jewish Movement he established, through donating to the 21st Century Wine Memorial Fund. Donations may be mailed to the Society for Humanistic Judaism.

ties he inspired, and the ideas and in- Life will be different; no one person will stitutions he created. We who knew fill all of Sherwin’s roles. There will be him and loved him will miss him ter- a transition to determine who will do ribly, and we are that much more grate- what, but everyone should know and tell ful for what he gave us. the world that Humanistic Judaism will live – our communities will celebrate One of Rabbi Wine’s common tech- Jewish life through human-focused val- niques was to dismiss illusions and ues, our Institute will train new rabbis face realities – it was an illusion that and leaders and educators, our ideas The loss of Sherwin Wine is a pro- Sherwin was immortal; the reality is will continue to inspire. Beit Hillel, the found blow. His voice, teaching semi- that Humanistic Judaism is greater school of Hillel, continued teaching in nars for the International Institute for than one person, as great as that per- the spirit of Rabbi Hillel long after its Secular Humanistic Judaism, perform- son was. We knew this day, support- founder was gone. We are now Beit ing field visits for the Society for Hu- ing an Institute to train leaders and Sherwin, the school of Humanistic Ju- manistic Judaism, writing articles and rabbis and a society of Humanistic daism, and we refuse to flounder with- books, giving lectures, and offering congregations without Sherwin Wine out our founder. The time to assume re- comfort will never be replaced. He to guide us, would eventually come. sponsibility for our own destiny has ar- promised natural immortality: he lives That this transition is too sudden and rived. And if not now, when? on in the lives he touched, the rabbis too soon does not change the reality Rabbi Adam Chalom, interim dean, and leaders he trained, the communi- that it is here. International Institute

Let us honor rabbi wine by living his philosophy Rabbi center of the Movement, and it has promotes this reality-based Judaism Sherwin trained rabbis and educators who have with integrity is carried forward by the Wine assumed leadership positions in more IISHJ through its students, who become was both than fifty communities. The IISHJ is Secular Humanistic leaders. They share a vision- also the educational and publications Sherwin’s approach to morality and ary and a arm of the International Federation of give credence to contemporary knowl- pragma- Secular Humanistic Jews, an associa- edge, even as they perpetuate and re- tist. In tion of national organizations that es- define our Jewish heritage. his wis- pouses non-theistic Judaism and dom, he circles the globe from North and South Building on the foundation of Rabbi ensured America to Israel, Europe, and Aus- Wine’s rich legacy, our movement will that Secular Humanistic Judaism will tralia. T’mura, the Israeli college of the continue to grow with the next genera- survive him. A new generation of rab- Institute, graduated its first class of tion of Secular Humanistic rabbis, lead- bis has been recruited and ordained. Israeli secular rabbis in 2006. ers, and educators. His philosophy, em- Their individual contributions, from bracing human dignity, courage, and congregational leadership, to publica- The commitment of the IISHJ to Jew- love will be passed from generation to tions, to life-cycle ceremonies, have ish identity and continuity forms the generation. Let us remember his shin- been received with great enthusiasm foundation of its programs. It was ing example and the life that he so gen- and universal acclaim. They have made Rabbi Wine’s genius to meld rational- erously shared with each of us. Let us the movement richer and stronger. ity and the most current scientific honor him by living his philosophy in knowledge with Jewish traditions and our efforts to make this world better for Rabbi Wine founded the International ethics and thus provide the best guar- all. Institute for Secular Humanistic Juda- antee of Jewish survival. His dream of Linda J. Glass, executive director ism as the intellectual and teaching a strong and vibrant movement that International Institute (d)