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.

