20 | JULY 21 • 2022
A
worldwide Jewish movement
started right in Metro Detroit
about 60 years ago.
The Congregation for Humanistic
Judaism of Metro Detroit was founded as
the Birmingham Temple in 1963 by Rabbi
Sherwin T. Wine (1928-2007) and eight
families seeking to establish a new temple
in suburban Detroit. Under Rabbi Wine’s
vision and leadership, members began
to explore new ways to express their
Judaism that were more consistent with
their beliefs. Their conversations, debates
and organizational efforts gave birth to
a new understanding of Jewish identi-
ty informed by a universal Humanistic
value system. They called it Humanistic
Judaism and it launched a worldwide
movement.
Humanistic Judaism is a modern
fusion of Jewish cultural identity with
an adherence to the principles of Secular
Humanism, which embraces human rea-
son, ethics, social justice and philosophi-
cal naturalism as the basis of morality and
decision making.
Humanistic Judaism reimagines what it
means to be Jewish and human, believing
that Judaism must adjust to the needs and
beliefs of each generation. As secular Jews
who don’t believe in the God of Jewish
tradition, they celebrate Jewish identity and
Jewish heritage while placing their focus on
human needs and universalist values.
Secular Humanistic Rabbi Jeffrey L.
Falick, who was appointed to lead CHJ in
July 2013, says Rabbi Wine was a man who
had a radical idea of what Judaism should
be, “one that is interestingly embraced unof-
ficially by more and more people.
”
“Rabbi Wine and the congregation he
founded here began to experiment with
different ways to ‘do ritual’
, different ways
to ‘do Jewish’ that put the focus on human
beings rather than on upward and outward
prayer,
” Falick said. “He became the founder
of a small but incredibly dedicated move-
ment. And we never aspired to be big. We
only aspire to be
committed, and
we still are. We
have a few dozen
congregations
around the coun-
try, along with
a movement in
Israel that’s actually quite active and gets a
lot of press attention.
”
Today, CHJ continues to celebrate Jewish
culture and tradition with Shabbat and
holiday services, Jewish education for all
ages, life cycle ceremonies and engagement
with Israel and the Jewish world. The tem-
ple offers a warm, inclusive community of
people who are committed to exploring
Humanistic values in all areas.
Originally a member of the Reform
movement, Falick became involved in
Secular Humanistic Judaism in 2009 after a
lifetime of searching and questioning. Falick
describes CHJ’s services as different from
other places.
Congregation for Humanistic
Judaism offers a warm,
inclusive community committed
to exploring Humanistic values.
Birthplace of
a Movement
DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER
OUR COMMUNITY
SYNAGOGUE SPOTLIGHT
Congregants at a rally to support refugees.
Young people enjoy fellowship in the Spinoza program.
Having a good time together during Purim.
Congregants frequently work on social justice projects.