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NEWS & EVENTS
May 23 - June 19, 2023
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The next full edition of the newsletter will be published on June 20. Over the next few weeks watch for special mailings with reminders of Shabbat and other events.
Rabbi Falick will be unavailable during some of this period. If you have a pastoral emergency, please call 248.477.1410 or email Melanie Goldberg, reserve clergy, mdg0906@gmail.com.
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THANK YOU TO...
FRAN SHOR & BARBARA LOGAN for sponsoring the upcoming ONEG for PRIDE SHABBAT on June 16. The Oneg is in memory of Barbara's parents Jerome and Marilyn Logan who played a part in Detroit's queer history as partners/owners of the Pink Flamingo, a Detroit Drag Queen Show bar in the 1980’s and 1990’s!
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BIRTHDAYS! ANNIVERSARIES! GRADUATIONS!
ANY OCCASION AT ALL!
Celebrate with your congregational family at any Shabbat service ...
SPONSOR AN ONEG SHABBAT!
For a gift of $100 we'll set it up and acknowledge your special celebration during the service and at the Oneg Shabbat. Contact the office to make arrangements!
(office@chj-detroit.org)
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All members in good standing of the Congregation for Humanistic Judaism of Metro Detroit are invited to attend our Annual Meeting on:
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
6PM / Potluck Dinner
7PM / Business Meeting
Please watch your email for an agenda, financial information, and ballots & biographies of candidates nominated to serve as trustees and members of the executive committee.
The information will arrive via a special email several weeks before the meeting. Links for remote attendance will be included.
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✦ May 26: Memorial Day Weekend
No Service
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✦ Friday, June 2, 7PM
- SERVICE LEADER & SPEAKER: MELANIE GOLDBERG
LESSONS WE CAN LEARN FROM THE FILM "EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE!"
While Rabbi Falick is away, Melanie will lead our service and discuss last year's award-winning movie. Join her for an exploration of what it is all about and lessons that can be learned from the movie. You need not have understood the movie — or even seen it! — to take something away from this talk.
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IN PERSON OR ON YOUTUBE:
Click HERE or on the graphic for YouTube (live & recorded).
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✦ June 9, 7PM
- SERVICE LEADER & SPEAKER: MELANIE GOLDBERG
HARRY BELAFONTE AND RABBI HAROLD KUSHNER: ROLE MODELS FOR ACTIVISM
Within days of each other two very different peace and social activists (who happened to share the same first name) died. Melanie will examine their legacies of activism.
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IN PERSON OR ON YOUTUBE:
Click HERE or on the graphic for YouTube (live & recorded).
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✦ June 16, 7PM
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PRIDE SHABBAT WITH GUEST SPEAKER, PROF. TIM RETZLOFF, MSU
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"SHOCKWAVES FROM STONEWALL" - EARLY QUEER LIBERATION IN MICHIGAN
Today's struggles have antecedents in the past. Join us for a celebration of early Michigan activists, including stories about the Detroit Mattachine Society and the many significant contributions of our own Rabbi Wine.
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IN PERSON OR ON YOUTUBE:
Click HERE or on the graphic for YouTube (live & recorded).
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✦ June 23, 7PM
- GUEST SPEAKER: DR. MIKE WHITTY
HUMANISTIC AGING: OPTIMISM, COMPASSION, ACCEPTANCE & LOVE
A reflection on aging into sage-ing: Speaking from wisdom and becoming a prophet in your own times. Living in the present, day to day, in full appreciation, thankfulness & radical acceptance
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MAY LUNCH BUNCH!
THIS Wed., May 24, 12:30PM
Getting Good at Growing Older:
How to Relate to Adult Children Through Wisdom and Compassion
with Dr. Bruce Hillenberg
Contact Suzanne Paul (suzanne@crpaul.com) for more information.
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JUNE OUTING!
Wed., June 21, 12:30PM
Please note date!
Pool Party at the Home of
Helen & Saul Forman
Bring your own lunch!
RSVP to Suzanne Paul (suzanne@crpaul.com) for the Formans' address or for other information.
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NEW PROGRAM!
GAME NIGHT!
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Wed., May 24, 7PM
ALL ARE WELCOME
Mah-Jongg! Board Games!
Euchre! Poker! Bridge! And More!
Some games and cards will be available, or bring your own. Bridge players are encouraged to come with a foursome.
Please RSVP (office@chj.org) to let us know you are coming, so we can plan on having enough tables.
Light snacks will be served.
No Charge!
Non-Member Suggested Donation, $10
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MUSSAR CAFÉ
NEXT GATHERING:
JUNE 1, 11AM
Future Gatherings:
June 15, 29; July 6, 20
11AM - Noon, Wine Library
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Mussar is a traditional Jewish path of character trait development that includes the study of related classical and contemporary Jewish literature.
UPDATE from Bruce Hillenberg, group leader:
Five members recently met at the Mussar Cafe gathering on May 11. We reviewed the traits of humility and patience, provided examples of how we observed these character traits in our daily life, and described how we modified our behavior in accordance with more balance in these traits. We identified how a humanistic view of these traits differs in unique ways from the perspective of individuals who have faith in a higher power. We agreed that patience required a reshuffling of what is perceived to be important to us. We also agreed that patience required accepting what can’t be changed and being assertive when waiting would only enable negative behavior. Then, we talked about how humility and patience are connected. For example, being humble in recognizing that reality will often not conform to our expectations or needs.
We then explored the trait of gratitude. We discussed how gratitude is influenced by our moral compass. We agreed that finding gratitude in the small and meaningful things of life was important and helps expand the ability to be present and appreciative. We had a robust discussion about how as humanists we find gratitude in things that are inherently good. There was some discussion about the absence of gratitude when confronted by people with nefarious intent. The discussion ended with a review of recent research that provides evidence that find gratitude is good for our physical and emotional wellbeing. The research also emphasizes the importance of a person’s daily commitment to appraise and experience the emotional benefits of gratitude.
The assignment for participants during the next three weeks is to self-monitor our experience with the trait of gratitude and prepare examples of our experience to share at the next Mussar Cafe meeting at 11AM on Thursday, June 1. After this, we will then discuss the trait of compassion.
We are studying the book Everyday Holiness by Alan Morinis from a humanistic perspective.
It's never too late to join!
Contact Bruce Hillenberg, 248.892.4364 or drhillenberg@gmail.com.
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Jewish History with Natan Fuchs:
Messianic Movements
in Judaism:
From Bar-Kochba to the Lubavitch Rebbe
TEN SESSIONS:
BEGINNING SUNDAY, JUNE 4, 10AM
In Person Only
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Saturday, June 17, 3PM
Join other CHJ members for a group outing to see ...
DETROIT REPERTORY THEATER'S
PRODUCTION OF...
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Awarded the 2017 Pulitzer Prize
A group of friends who work at a factory in Reading, Pennsylvania land under the crushing weight of a failing economy and changing industry. They discover where loyalties truly lie as they each fight to make ends meet. Written by Lynn Nottage / Directed by Jeff Nahan
PURCHASE YOUR OWN TICKETS AT:
https://www.detroitreptheatre.com/sweat
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Optional Dinner Outing at Baobab Fare in Detroit
Award-winning restaurant owned by CHJ friends Hamissi Mamba and Nadia Nijimbere.
Contact Bruce Hillenberg (drhillenberg@gmail.com) if you plan to attend and if you would like to be included in the dinner afterwards.
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THANK YOU!
To everyone who attended and helped plan the All-Congregation Day of Service & Celebration!
From Audrey Pleasant, CHJ Chair:
On behalf of the Social Justice Committee, THANK YOU to the MANY people whose efforts made our All-Congregation Day of Service and Celebration a fun and productive success. These include all who gave ideas and helped plan, made invitation calls and emails, shopped, helped with set up, did the MC and Welcome roles, took photos, transported lunches to N.O.A.H., the organization representatives who gave talks, set up displays, and spoke individually with attendees and those who donated funds (included Kroger and Costco), And, of course, THANKS to the many CHJ members and their guests as well as the Sunday Assembly group who participated The attendees enjoyed lunch, worked the assembly line completing far more than our goal of 400 lunches, made signs, planted in the Memorial Garden, cleaned and stained benches, knitted, donated clothes, toiletries and books (still collecting) A special heartfelt THANKS to Ann-Marie, Melanie, Michele in the office, Jermaine and his friend, and Julie, who provided the delicious food. These people are AMAZING! It took the generous and skilled efforts of many, working as a team to create a successful multi-faceted, intergenerational event.
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Pictures courtesy of Jean Klarich and Arthur Liebhaber. | |
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COLLECTIONS UNDERWAY
Help us to clothe and supply those in need ...
... with new or very gently used books for children or young adults and new or very gently used spring/summer clothing. Drop off in lobby.
If donating gently-used items or items from other categories, please first contact Audrey Pleasant (audreypleasant@gmail.com) for more information.
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KNIT / CROCHET / CRAFT FOR A CAUSE
Next session TBA; contact Audrey Pleasant (audreypleasant@gmail.com) to be on the reminder list.
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Virtual Lobby Days
July 24- 27
JEA will lobby Congress on climate in honor of Tisha B'av, a time when we reflect on the warnings of destruction that have been ignored in our collective past, and the ways we must respond to the risks to our planet today.
Join us remotely from wherever you are. Opportunities to sign up will be available soon.
To learn more about the Jewish Earth Alliance, CLICK HERE!
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Our congregation is a co-sponsor of the Farmington / Farmington Hills Juneteenth Celebration.
There are happenings beginning on June 15, culminating on Monday, June 19, from Noon - 4PM at the Nardin Park Church, 29887 Eleven Mile Road. Come for the food, fun, and activities for all ages.
For more information, contact Audrey (audreypleasant@gmail.com) or Carolyn Lowe (carolynlowe21@gmail.com).
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JEWS FOR A SECULAR DEMOCRACY | |
WEBINAR: Celebrating Harvey Milk’s Legacy: Continuing the Advocacy for LGTBQ+ Rights
Wed., June 7, 7PM
REGISTER AT THIS LINK
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With Shavuot coinciding with Memorial Day Weekend, we’re skipping our Shavuot service this year.
I’m sure that for Humanistic Jews this statement has all the shock value of announcing that we’re passing on the day-old doughnut sale at the Dollar Store. It’s just not that important to us.
It’s not our fault, really, though like all products of the internalized Jewish guilt machine, many Very Important Jews think it is. But if I were taking Shavuot out on a date I would not hold back. “No, Shavuot, it isn’t me. It’s you. How about we take a little break?”
For over 2,000 years, this holiday (which this year begins on Thursday and runs through Friday and Shabbat) has sought to regain its lost relevancy. Like some other famous festivals, namely the so-called “pilgrimage” feasts of Passover and Sukkot, Shavuot began as a harvest festival. The relative longevity of those first two was helped along by biblical narratives that gave them new life. Passover morphed so completely from an agricultural holiday to a celebration of freedom from slavery, that its agrarian roots are almost impossible to locate. Sukkot held onto a few farmland associations (due to the Sukkah and Lulav and Etrog) but was mostly transformed into a commemoration of the Israelites’ temporary housing situation as they wandered their way to Israel.
Shavuot did not benefit from a biblical re-write. There was no ancient legend with which it was associated. Just the harvest, nothing more. So it should come as no surprise that as the Jews, née Israelites, urbanized, attachments to this solely agricultural holiday waned. For this reason, after the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in 70 C.E. when rabbis took over Judaism from the priests, they attempted to give Shavuot a boost.
Taking a page from the biblical holiday re-write tradition, the rabbis re-positioned Shavuot, giving it a whole new storyline as the commemoration of the Israelites receiving the Torah at Mt. Sinai. Unfortunately, their re-purposing the holiday still left it with little in the way of ritual. Still, over time, folk customs emerged. One of these involves eating dairy on the holiday. Because a cheesecake-based holiday is never a bad idea. Another innovation involved an all-night Torah study session.* Frankly, I think this kind of contradicted the cheesecake as it is patently impossible to stay up all night loaded with cheesecake. Much later, early Reform and some Conservative rabbis invented (stole) the Confirmation ceremony from the Christians to try to rally some interest in Shavuot.** None of these innovations were enough to get Shavuot noticed even as much as Sukkot, much less Passover.
Over the past few years some communities and Jewish internet influencers have tried to modernize the all-night study by introducing cultural elements or Zoom Shavuot celebrations. These are all laudable, but they haven’t exactly revived the average Jew’s relationship with the holiday. It turns out that we’re really just not that into it.
Once upon a time in rabbinical school I was taught that it was my job to make Judaism relevant to those who were leaving it behind. Oddly, this included making sure that a holiday like Chanukah (“It’s a MINOR HOLIDAY, damn it!”) was kept in its place even as we were expected to cheerlead lesser-known (i.e., completely unknown) holidays like Shavuot. I never really bought into that idea then and I do so less now. As a secular Jew and Humanistic rabbi I believe that Judaism must be the living culture of the Jewish people, not a set of requirements mandated by our ancestors. If Chanukah is now more important to Jews than Shavuot—which is demonstrably so!—why shouldn’t Jewish leaders put more energy into Chanukah?
Just to be clear, despite our differences, I’m not breaking up with Shavuot. I’ve spent time this week teaching about it. I’m literally writing about it here. But that said, there’s nothing wrong with taking a little liturgical break. Especially when Shavuot coincides with Memorial Day weekend. I believe that I can accurately say that very few Humanistic Jews thought first about this weekend being Shavuot and only then about Memorial Day.
Rabbi Wine once suggested transforming Shavuot into a holiday celebrating Jewish literature. In that spirit, I offer you a copy of my article in last summer’s edition of Humanistic Judaism Magazine entitled “Understanding Ancient Texts: The things that you’re liable to think about the bible ain’t necessarily so.” It’s a great way to gain a better appreciation of the true relevance of the Hebrew Bible to Humanistic Jews.
And if you read that—or other Jewish literature you might enjoy—you will have had your own very appropriate secular and cultural celebration of Shavuot!
Chag Sameach! (Happy Holiday)!
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* The reason given for the all-night study session was that the Israelites were insufficiently excited about the big Torah-Giving Event planned by God and Moses. This is evidenced by the fact that they all went to bed on time. The all-night study is meant to make up for their insufficient enthusiasm. Hence it is called a Tikkun Layl Shavuot – A Corrective for the Night of Shavuot.
** Early Reform Jews also emphasized confirmation because they wanted to eliminate the Bar Mitzvah ceremony. But that’s another story altogether.
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JOIN CHJ AT
FERNDALE PRIDE!
Saturday, June 3
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For the first time ever, CHJ will have a table at Ferndale's Annual Pride Festival!
If you have some time that day, CHJ organizers are seeking volunteers at the table to share info about our congregation (and also hand folks our brochures & fun giveaway).
If you can help us out please contact Max Lark: hg3395@wayne.edu.
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MAZEL TOV TO MAX LARK
on receiving his Master's Degree in Public Administration at Wayne State University!
Max is a third-generation member of our congregation, grandson of Helen & Saul Forman and son of Amy & Jeff Voigt. He's also an active member of our board of trustees. He and his wife Stacy Wolf-Lark were wed last December, making this a time of many mazels for the family!
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WELL WISHES
BEST WISHES FOR A SPEEDY RECOVERY TO:
RuthE Goldman, Ruth Moltz, Rabbi Peter Schweitzer, Jim Walker
Please inform us if you know that someone is ill or in need.
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BLUEWATER ATHEISTS, HUMANISTS & AGNOSTICS CONFERENCE 2023 IN SARNIA | |
Aug. 25-27, 2023
Featuring a world-class line-up of speakers, Bluewater Atheists, Humanists & Agnostics is extending an invitation to attend their big Sarnia conference.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE EVENT WEBSITE
OR CONTACT CHJ MEMBER BEV SHAPIRO, bev@veritas51.com, FOR MORE INFORMATION!
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ONLINE, IN-PERSON & BOTH!
In-person classes require full vaccination; see above
RABBI FALICK'S SATURDAY CLASS:
THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION (PARSHAT HA-SHAVUA)
Join him for a historical look at Jewish texts throughout the ages.
Saturdays, 10AM, Zoom Only, No Class May 27, June 3, 10
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/759671597
MESSIANIC MOVEMENTS IN JUDAISM (& CURRENT EVENTS DISCUSSION) WITH NATAN FUCHS
Sundays, 10AM, In-Person Only, BEGINS JUNE 4
SOCRATES CAFE
Every Tuesday, 10:30AM, Zoom Only
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/182488428
MAH-JONGG
Tuesdays, 1-2:30PM, In-Person
For more information, contact Denise Parker, 248.321.9428
YOGA
Wednesdays, 9:30AM, In-Person
with Connie Grossman
Tuesdays, 11AM, In-Person
with Karen Lutz
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ZOOM REQUIRES A PASSWORD!
The password was sent under separate cover. Please contact rabbi@chj-detroit.org if you need it.
ONLINE VIDEOS OF PROGRAMS & CLASSES
Visit LibrarySHJ.com and our YouTube page for videos of past services, classes, lectures, and more!
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