Historian and philosopher Jennifer Michael Hecht during an adult ed program earlier this year at the Congregation for Humanistic Judaism; her talk focused on her book Doubt: A History, in which she demonstrates that historically, movements of doubters are more inclusive than the terms “atheist” or “agnostic” have come to connote.
Sidebar
October 2, 2008
In celebration of its 10th anniversary year, the Congregation for Humanistic Judaism of Morris County has initiated a year-long membership drive to engage secular and non-theistic Jews interested in Jewish culture and heritage.
The Chester congregation, which was founded in 1999 by three families and has since grown to 40, is affiliated with the Society for Humanistic Judaism.
Serving Morris, Essex, and Sussex counties, CHJ hosts holiday services and monthly Shabbat services in its members’ homes and offers a Sunday school, an adult education program, and social action activities.
Mark Schussel, CHJ vice president and publicity chair, said that while they don’t expect to grow into a huge congregation, members do hope to reach out to young families, interfaith families, singles, and empty-nesters who want Judaism to be a part of their lives although they do not belong to a traditional congregation or are not particularly religious.
“We’re always looking to increase our membership,” said congregation president Claire Kerr.
Kerr said that CHJ offers an alternative for those who can’t find a home in the traditional streams and are looking for a more open environment. “We especially welcome interfaith families and families looking for something different,” she said.
As part of an interfaith marriage herself, Kerr said, she and her husband had been looking for a less restrictive and more welcoming congregation — and found CHJ.
Families participate in a Passover seder at the Congregation for Humanistic Judaism of Morris County.
Being a member of the congregation, she said, “helps me to stay Jewish and helps me to teach my kids about being Jewish, which I would have a hard time getting at other congregations because they’re more restrictive about Jewish education.”
Instilling values
The Society for Humanistic Judaism, the central body for the Humanistic Jewish Movement in North America, was established in 1963 by Rabbi Sherwin Wine. According to a JTA obituary for Wine, who died in 2007, Humanistic Judaism was intended to provide a home for those who felt bound to their Jewish identity and culture but rejected the idea of God. CHJ is one of about 30 Humanistic congregations in the United States.
For many of CHJ’s members, providing their children with an awareness of their heritage and instilling them with Jewish values is very important, Schussel said.
Getting ready for last year’s congregational Purim party.
CHJ also boasts an atmosphere akin to a large family.
“One of the things that makes our congregation special is that it’s a cooperative-based congregation,” Kerr said. “Because it’s small, everyone has to play a role and can play a role.”
The congregation has held open houses for its Sunday school and adult education program, but CHJ doesn’t plan to end its membership drive after the High Holy Day season as is often the case.
“We’re going to continue driving the campaign throughout the coming year,” Schussel said. “This is our 10th anniversary, and we do think this is really a big year for us. We’ve reached a critical mass, a good base, from which to build.”
As part of that goal, members staffed a booth at the Sept. 28 Morristown Fall Festival. Future plans, Schussel said, include advertising in local publications and publicizing the congregation’s popular, kid-friendly Hanukka and Purim parties and community potluck seders.
The highlight will be the 10th Anniversary Gala Weekend, Nov. 14-16, during which Rabbi Miriam Jerris, the community development director of the Society for Humanistic Judaism, will lead Shabbat services, make a presentation, and meet with Sunday School students. A party that Saturday night at the Randolph Senior Center will feature a catered dinner, music, and dancing
Celebration and education
To mark the 10th anniversary of the Congregation for Humanistic Judaism of Morris County, a full weekend of events will be held Nov. 14-16, including
- Shabbat service, Friday, Nov. 14, 7:30 p.m.
- Gala celebration, Saturday, Nov. 15, 6 p.m., Randolph Senior Center. Will include a presentation by Rabbi Miriam Jerris, dinner, music, and dancing.
- Rabbi Miriam Jerris’ participation in school, Sunday, Nov. 16
Other upcoming programs include:
- Secular and Humanist Threads, Sunday, Nov. 2, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Barry Dancis, an evolutionary biologist and a teacher at the Jewish Children’s Folkshul in Philadelphia, will discuss monotheism’s late arrival in the development of the Jewish religion and the early arrival of liberalism. - The Jews Under Tsarist and Soviet Russia, Sunday, Dec. 7, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Salo Enis, who was born and educated in Poland, teaches Jewish literature and a variety of topics relating to Jewish and world history at NJ community centers.
For more information about CHJMC or its upcoming events, contact 973-927-0078 or membership@humanisticjudaismnj.org or visit www.chjmc.org.
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