Temple in part because
he was attracted to its
commitment to creative
development. This in-
cluded writing original
Shabbat services, rather
than using those in the
Hebrew Union Prayer
Book.
"I couldn't redefine
`God' to mean 'human
power.' That seemed to
me to lack integrity," he
said. "In 1963, I knew it
would necessitate a
much bolder approach."
But that bolder
approach got congre-
gants, not just the rabbi,
in trouble. Mr. Cousens
said members paid a
price to belong. The
choice to join the "non-
Jewish" institution
angered and dismayed
the congregants' more
In 1969, the Society for
Humanistic Judaism was
established in Detroit. It
helps out-of;state
Humanistic Jews start
their own congregations
called "affiliated commu-
nities." Today, the soci-
ety has grown to include
21 affiliated communi-
ties with a total of 2,000
members.
That's not enough,
according to Miriam
Jerris, the society's exec-
utive director. She
believes that ongoing
rabbinical training and
outreach efforts will
attract new members.
Internationally, these
efforts already have. In
the early 1980s, Hebrew
University Professor Zev
Katz told Rabbi Wine he
wanted to bring
Humanistic Judaism to
Israel. Professor Katz
contacted international-
ly-known Holocaust
expert Yehuda Bauer,
who supported the cre-
ation of the
International Institute
Tammy Feldstein for Secular Humanistic
Jews.
mainstream relatives.
Shulamit Aloni, a
Yet the Birmingham
member of the Knesset,
Temple continued to
and Israeli Minister of
grow. Services attracted
Absorption Yaeer Tsaban
between 300 and 500
also took part. Since its
curious Jews and gen-
first convention in
tiles. By the end of its
Jerusalem in 1985, the
first year, the
institute has succeeded
Birmingham Temple had
in bringing together sec-
120 families. A year
ular Jews from 11 coun-
later, its membership
tries.
grew to 210. It now
In Israel, new immi-
stands at 425 families.
grants in six cities con-
"I think we've contin-
gregate each Friday for
ued to gain more respect
lectures about
and appeal in the greater
Humanistic Judaism.
Detroit Jewish communi-
The lectures, presented
ty," said Marty
in Russian, have been
Burnstein, past presi-
ongoing since 1990.
dent. "Clearly one factor
Institute leaders also
has to be that we've been
educate members of kib-
around for 30 years.
butzim, the army and
We've not only lasted but
police.
we've thrived. People
"Sometimes we get a
don't perceive us as a
very good reception.
temporary situation."
Sometimes we debate it
However, in predicting
out," Professor Katz said.
the future of Humanistic
The institute has
Judaism, members look
helped pique the interest
beyond the Birmingham
of people in the former
Temple to the movement
Soviet Union, where
it spawned worldwide.
Humanistic Judaism is
Herein lies a significant
attracting a huge num-
part of their hope for the
ber of secular Jews, Ms.
future.
Jerris said. Next year,
"It's important
that we see
Judaism in the
big picture."
members of the institute
will meet in Moscow.
But some people doubt
that growth will contin-
ue, here or abroad. They
cite a global return to
Orthodoxy as diminish-
ing that growth poten-
tial. Some mainstream
rabbis say Humanistic
Judaism is too rational.
It emphasizes the intel-
lect, rather than emo-
tions. This is destined to
deter Jews, they say —
especially during hard