because we were in the neighborhood, but because
they believed in what we were creating," he said. "It
solidified us with the result of the battle proving what
Humanistic Jews believe — in solving the problems
of life through people."
Though they met in various cities, the congrega-
tion retained the name Birmingham Temple, even
through their final move in 1971. It was to a seven-
acre campus in Farmington Hills, now housing the
temple, the 1979 addition of a social hall and family
room and the 1995 addition of the Pivnick Center
for Humanistic Judaism.
Rabbi Wine says the hostility has faded now and
relationships have been made within the local rab-
binic community.
Today, Birmingham Temple rabbis are members of
the multi-stream Michigan Board of Rabbis, based in
Bloomfield Hills.
While once an outcast among rabbis, Rabbi Wine
now has friends among those from other Jewish
movements.
"I can tease him," said Rabbi David Nelson of the
Conservative Congregation Beth Shalom in Oak
.
Park. "He has a great sense of humor. I can say, 'May
the God he doesn't believe in keep him around and
healthy and creative for a long time — to prove a
point.' But he knows that I have great admiration for
his brilliance and I consider him a good friend since
the first days of my arrival here when he welcomed
me. To this day, I'm very grateful for our friendship."
framework for them to form a
community committed to
ethics," he said.
"His formulation of Judaism
without God and Torah lacks
the commanding core that has
guided and sustained our people
for millennia. Yet, I respect the
passion for justice that has been
a hallmark of Rabbi Wine's
career. I salute him upon his
retirement and wish him many
years of good health and contin-
ued intellectual vigor."
While other streams of
Judaism include adaptation to
modern times and needs, tradi-
tional Jews like Rabbi Elimelech
Silberberg are in strong defense
of Torah Judaism.
"The Torah and Judaism are
based on the belief in God,"
said the Orthodox rabbi of Sara Rabbis Wine, Kolton and Chalom outside Birmingham Temple.
Tugman Bais Chabad Torah
Center in West Bloomfield. "So any movement that
a member of the Council, meeting criteria that
rejects that is rejecting Judaism."
includes having a constructive interest in some aspect
While Humanistic Jews may live ethical and moral
of Jewish life. Through the years, members of
lives for themselves, Rabbi Silberberg said, "In
Birmingham Temple have consistently held board
Judaism, even acts of morality and ethics that we do
positions here."
— like visiting the sick or helping our parents — we
While Birmingham Temple is not a member of the
do because God gave us the commandment to them.
United Jewish Communities, the New York-based
And that's the ultimate service, being servants to God. umbrella organization of North American Jewish fed-
•Traditional Reaction
"Judaism is a faith-oriented religion. We do not
erations, there is an increasing connection.
While the Humanistic philosophy remains far from
observe
a
holiday
to
commemorate
an
event
of
the
"UJC has been enriched by a growing relationship
that of traditional Judaism, some clergy of other
past.
We
believe
when
a
Jew
makes
Kiddush
on
with
the movement and with Rabbi Wine," said
streams still speak with respect of the man who creat-
Friday night or sits in the sukkah, we are not just
UJC's Rabbi Eric M. Lankin, director, religious and
ed it.
doing it to follow tradition or respect the past, but to
educational activities in New York "I recently flew to
"Sherwin Wine has developed an impressive repu-
bring
us
closer
to
God.
If
we
take
God
out
of
our
Detroit to give a major address to leaders at a confer-
tation for his intellectual insights into Jewish history,
religion,
we
are
taking
the
guts
out
of
Judaism."
ence
of the Humanistic movement as part of a global
culture and politics," said Rabbi Daniel Nevins of the
Jewish
effort to reach out to all movements, including
Conservative Adat Shalom Synagogue in Farmington
Humanistic,"
he said.
Hills.
Communal Connections
Official
members
of the UJC are the Conservative,
"He has succeeded in giving voice to the deeply
"We're Jewish and we are active members of the
Orthodox,
Reconstructionist
and Reform movements,
secular views of many modern Jews and created a
Jewish community — in cooperation with the other
but outreach also includes affiliation with Chabad-
branches of Judaism," Rabbi Wine said. "The
Lubavitch, Renewal and Humanistic groups.
current president of the Greater Detroit
"Rabbi Wine has given the world's Jewish commu-
Chapter of Hadassah, Susan Luria, is a member
nities a unique perspective and message that we all
of our congregation and many of those who
• The Torah: The Torah is considered to be :a human
believe should be heard at the table of Jewish life,"
have
served on the National Council of Jewish
created document and is housed in the library. It is not
Rabbi Lankin said.
Women are also."
considered sanctified or holy, but is regarded as the
At the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan
beginning of Jewish literature, including the culture and
Detroit,
Humanistic Jews also take leadership
Refining The Movement
history of the Jewish people and teachings about our
and
participatory
roles.
ancestors and their world.
With a philosophy that differs from traditional
"Any program we offer to teachers is offered
• Celebration: The term celebration is used in place of
Judaism came the need for written materials and for-
to
them
also," said Rabbi Judah Isaacs, director
the traditional "service" because service is meant for ser-
mats that reflected the movement's beliefs.
of Federation's Alliance for Jewish Education in
vants of God.
"We came to the conclusion that we needed to
Bloomfield Township. "Their school is part of
• Meeting Room: In place of a sanctuary, celebrations
change the service format entirely," Rabbi Wine said.
the network of schools we serve."
are held in the meeting room.
"Prayer was out. Reading philosophy, poetry, original
The International Institute for Secular
= Symbols: On the Torah's covering is the Hebrew
creations — including my own — were in. Writing
Humanistic Judaism's biennial Colloquium
word andam meaning people, or humanity. Without a
the liturgy was a five- or six-year challenge of asking
event at the Birmingham Temple is co-spon-
Torah in the meeting room, no ark is needed.
things like, 'What do Humanistic Jews do on holi-
sored by Federation.
"Our other symbol is the humanorah' [a menorah
days?"'
"We have had a good relationship with the
formed in the likeness of people]," Rabbi Wine said "It
Some existing practices were revised; others were
temple and with Rabbi Wine, and with the
is what we are about — that we are a people-centered
created from scratch.
efforts the temple has spawned," said Allan
Judaism. It says we are people, and we are Jewish." PI
The b'nai mitzvah celebration at Birmingham
Gale, associate director of Federation's Jewish
Community Council. "Birmingham Temple is
THE POWER OF MAN on page 40
Staff pho to by Angie Baan
THE POWER OF MAN from page 38
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7/ 4
2003
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