Cover Story
THE POWER OF MAN from page 37
Celebrations
• Holidays: Holidays were not created by God,
but arose out of Jewish folk culture and are a
response to Jewish events. While some traditional
holidays are not celebrated, others are followed
with variances.
For example, some Humanistic Jews fast on
Yom Kippur — not to atone for sins before judg-
ment is sealed, but rather as a form of discipline.
The words of Kol Nidre (All Vows) were
changed from those that cancel promises to a
more positive hope for strength from within, to
keep resolutions that are made.
• B'nai mitzvah: Bar and bat mitzvah celebra-
tions are held at age 13. In place of the tradition-
al Torah reading, a presentation is made to the
congregation on a figure in Jewish history —
Jewish or not Jewish.
• Liturgy: Passages from the Bible that are
Humanistic are read, such as Hinei Matov, which
includes the words: "Behold how good and pleas-
Rabbi Wine at the 1971 dedication of the Birmingham Temple building.
Rabbi Wine, 1963
ant it is that all people should live in unity."
Prayer is replaced with liturgy that reflects the
The Torah is not viewed as authoritative or God-
receiving bachelor's and master's degrees in Hebrew
Humanistic
Judaism philosophy, including both
created, but is rather, an account of human Jewish
letters.
ancient
and
modern
sources.
cultural history.
Following ordination, he served as a U.S. Army
Shabbat: Shabbat is not a day of rest, but
•
The
focus
is
on
the
world
in
which
people
live,
chaplain in Korea, was assistant rabbi at Temple Beth
rather a time to celebrate Jewish heritage and its
with no heaven, no hell, no Messiah, no resurrection,
El in Detroit, then was founding rabbi of the Reform
importance. Many Humanistic Jews light Shabbat
no Godly judgment. The focus is not to deny God,
Congregation Beth El in Windsor.
candles without the traditional reasons or bless-
but to affirm people.
"While I very much enjoyed being a rabbi, I was
ings, with the light of the candles a symbol of the
Ethics are at the forefront of Humanistic Judaism
not comfortable with the ideology of Reform
power
of people to realize ideals. The wipe of
— in the way people treat themselves and one
Judaism," he said. "I didn't enjoy redefining the word
Shabbat
is held as a symbol of joy and celebra-
another.
of God to fit my beliefs and didn't enjoy the endless
tion.
Judaism,
in
Humanistic
Judaism
philosophy,
is
the
praying."
• Brit milah: Although most Humanistic
evolving culture and civilization of the Jewish people.
That year, in 1963, he received an invitation to
Jewish
males are circumcised, the circumcision is
It is defined by its people rather than as a religion or
meet with a group looking to form their own Reform
most
often
performed in a hospital, does not have
set of beliefs.
congregation in the Detroit suburbs.
a ceremony to accompany it and is not confined
"After the meeting, eight of the families signed
to being carried out on the eighth day. Because of
up," he said.
Controversy Emerges
the movement's strong egalitarian beliefs, cere-
Amidst regular discussions, he said, "We realized
After relocating several times, the expanding congre-
monies that are not held for girls are also not
we weren't actually Reform. We all knew we were
gation was thriving with 160 family members, when
held for boys.
Jewish and we loved being Jewish, but we realized we
the Detroit Free Press ran a story in 1964 that trig-
• Birth celebration: The birth celebration is
didn't want to be told what to believe. And, for most
gered national exposure.
the same for girls and boys and is highlighted by
of us, we felt we could solve problems from the
"The headline was, 'Suburban Rabbi: I Am an
the conferring of a Hebrew name.
strength within ourselves and from other people —
Atheist,"' Rabbi Wine remembered clearly. "The story
• Marriage: With the belief in the importance
and not from God."
was picked up by a national news service and sudden-
of Jewish survival, the marriage of Jews to Jews is
As the new movement of Judaism was formed, it
ly we were everywhere — in Time magazine and all
applauded, but those who choose non-Jewish
needed to be named.
over the Jewish and general press."
partners are not denounced and attempts are
"We discussed calling it Rational Judaism or
Because of the uproar, the Michigan Masons
made to involve the partner in the movement's
Naturalistic Judaism — as opposed to supernaturalis-
denied use of their Birmingham Masonic Temple
community.
tic," Rabbi Wine said. "But we needed to have the
building in Bloomfield Hills; the Southfield Board of
• Interfaith and inter-culture: A distinction is
word "human" in it — since that is where we find
Education made attempts at blocking use of one of its
made between interfaith and inter-culture, with
our strength — so the movement became Humanistic schools by the group for Sunday school.
interfaith being those from different belief sys-
Judaism."
"There was even an attempt [to get] the HUC-JIR
tems and inter-culture being those who come
to take away my Reform rabbinic ordination," Rabbi
from different cultural or historical backgrounds
Wine said. "It never happened because the school's
Humanistic Philosophy
but share the same philosophy of life. Humanistic
president at the time wouldn't do it."
Judaism welcomes and officiates at inter-cultural
Humanistic Judaism is based on human-centered his-
Rabbi Wine said "a few members left during the
marriage ceremonies.
tory, culture, civilization, ethical values and a shared
four-year
public controversy and intensity — not
• Becoming A Humanistic Jew: Both Jews and
experience of the Jewish people.
wanting to be the center of attention, but most found
non-Jews wishing to become Humanistic Jews
The message found in the history of the Jewish
it was worth the struggle."
participate in a two-year study program in Jewish
people is that people have the power and responsibili-
When the controversy subsided, membership had
history. It is followed by an adult confirmation
ty to take control of their own lives, to rely on their
reached
225
families.
for those born Jewish and an "adoption" ceremo-
own strengths, efforts, dignity and courage, and to be
"People didn't stay because it was convenient and
ny for those born as non-Jews to be adopted into
responsible for their own fate. The power to deal with
the Jewish people.
life's problems comes from within and from other
THE POWER OF MAN On page 39
people — and not from a supernatural being.
7/ 4
2003
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