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NEWS & EVENTS
August 5, 2026
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IT'S TIME TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP COMMITMENT!
Please remember that membership renewal is no longer automatic, so ... be sure to check your email and the U.S. mail for your personalized pledge form!
... AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
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MEMORIAL GARDEN
WALLS INSCRIPTIONS
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Our Memorial Garden was created to provide a place for contemplation and remembrance of our loved ones.
An inscription on the Memorial Garden Walls is a beautiful and permanent way to preserve the memory of those who remain dear to us.
If you would like to include your loved one’s name this holiday season, please contact Michele at 248.477.1410 or by email at office@chj-detroit.org.
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A NEW JEWISH YEAR IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER!
Click HERE or on the graphic for information about our innovative Humanistic Jewish services for all ages.
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Families with children (K-7) are also invited to our High Holiday Family Program / Annual Spinoza Family Education Program Kick-Off
Sunday, Sept. 13, 10AM!
| | Topics and programs subject to change. Please check the calendar or latest newsletter. | |
✦ SHABBAT SERVICE
Friday, Aug. 7, 7PM
| | RABBI FALICK RETURNS TO THE BIMAH | | As Rabbi Falick returns to the bimah, he will offer a brief reflection on how Humanistic Judaism helped sustain him through his recent health challenge. Most of all, he will express his heartfelt gratitude for the extraordinary support and kindness shown by our congregation. | |
✦ SHABBAT SERVICE
Friday, Aug. 14, 7PM
ENTERING ELUL ... PREPARING FOR A NEW YEAR
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This Shabbat marks the first day of the Hebrew month of Elul, the final month of the Jewish calendar.
Elul is traditionally devoted to reflection and preparation before the beginning of the new Jewish year in the coming month.
Join Rabbi Falick for a brief introduction to the traditions of this unique month and how Humanistic Jews can find meaning in them today, including a guided conversation about looking ahead with both gratitude and hope as we prepare to welcome the coming Jewish year of 5787!
| JOIN US AT THE ONEG SHABBAT TO CELEBRATE AUGUST BIRTHDAYS! | |
✦ SHABBAT MOVIE
Friday, Aug. 28, 6:30PM
NOTE TIME!
RAISE THE ROOF: A FILM ABOUT AN IMPROBABLE DREAM
with an introduction by Melanie Goldberg
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Join us for a special screening of Raise the Roof, an inspiring documentary that brings history back to life.
The film follows an international team of artists and students as they rebuild the magnificent, 18th-century wooden roof of Poland's lost Gwoździec Synagogue.
Armed only with period hand tools, traditional paint recipes, and raw determination, they recreate a masterpiece destroyed during World War II.
Come celebrate Jewish resilience, historic craftsmanship, and the breathtaking beauty of a recovered heritage.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FILM & PROJECT, CLICK HERE.
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CELEBRATE...
HAVDALAH UNDER THE STARS WITH "7 LAYERS"
SATURDAY, AUG. 22
6PM - POTLUCK DINNER & HAVDALAH
7PM - MUSIC WITH "7 LAYERS"
Summer evenings were made for music, dancing, good food, and great company.
Join us for Havdalah Under the Stars, an indoor/outdoor celebration on our beautiful back patio featuring the music of "7 Layers."
This celebrated local band features our own Felicia Goldberg, making this concert an extra-special celebration for our congregation.
** Bring a favorite dish (main, side, salad ... whatever!) to share for our potluck, invite your friends and neighbors, and enjoy a summer evening under the stars.**
Dance outside on the patio, visit with friends inside, or simply find a comfortable spot to sit back and enjoy the music.
Special thanks to Rachel Himeloch, whose creativity and hard work have helped bring the evening together.
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WED., SEPT. 2, 6:30PM
BY ANY OTHER NAME
by Jodi Picoult
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Young playwright Melina Green has just written a new work inspired by the life of her Elizabethan ancestor Emilia Bassano. But seeing it performed is unlikely, in a theater world where the playing field isn’t level for women. As Melina wonders if she dares risk failure again, her best friend takes the decision out of her hands and submits the play to a festival under a male pseudonym.
In 1581, young Emilia Bassano is a ward of English aristocrats. Her lessons on languages, history, and writing have endowed her with a sharp wit and a gift for storytelling, but like most women of her day, she is allowed no voice of her own. Forced to become a mistress to the Lord Chamberlain, who oversees all theatre productions in England, Emilia sees firsthand how the words of playwrights can move an audience. She begins to form a plan to secretly bring a play of her own to the stage—by paying an actor named William Shakespeare to front her work.
Told in intertwining timelines, By Any Other Name, a sweeping tale of ambition, courage, and desire centers on two women who are determined to create something beautiful despite the prejudices they face. Should a writer do whatever it takes to see her story live on . . . no matter the cost? This remarkable novel, rooted in primary historical sources, ensures the name Emilia Bassano will no longer be forgotten.
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Members, No charge / Nonmembers welcome, $10
Please note: The discussion about The Last Kings of Shanghai has been replaced and re-scheduled with this book.
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Thursday, Aug. 20
10:30AM: Optional Brunch ($10)
11:30AM: Free Presentation
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Featuring:
Ryan A. Particka
Assistant U.S. Attorney
Learn how to recognize these schemes and protect yourself from becoming a victim. Ryan's previous presentations have received rave reviews! Guests are welcome, so please help spread the word.
RSVP (required for brunch only) by Aug. 10 to:
248.477.1410 or office@chj-detroit.org
A SPECIAL PRESENTATION OF THE SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE
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In Hebrew, Kesher means Connection — and that is the purpose of a wonderful new committee we are forming at CHJ.
Our new Kesher Committee—chaired by Sarah Markowitz—will help our congregation stay connected through life’s simchas (joys) and tsuris (troubles) ... celebrations, illnesses, losses, recoveries, milestones, and difficult moments.
If you are interested in volunteering ...
please contact Sarah at: 1Luciannn1@comcast.net
or the CHJ staff at: office@chj-detroit.org.
And as we get underway ... please let Sarah know if you or another congregant could use a phone call, card, meal, visit, or any other gesture of support.
LET'S KEEP CHJ CONNECTED!
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HELP CHJ MEMBERS IN NEED!
The Kesher Committee is looking for people to volunteer for a new program for meal delivery. As a volunteer, you will make or purchase a meal, and then deliver it to the CHJ member in need.
Volunteers will be provided with the amount, type/preferences, and allergen info of the recipient, and the ability to sign up for your chosen date/time of delivery.
PLEASE CONTACT:
Linda Kahn Gale
248.320.3725 / avrum52@aol.com
to be added to join us in the opportunity to serve your friends at CHJ!
| | | SOUPER SUPPER COOKBOOKS ON SALE! | | |
We are continuing to collect food and other needed items (e.g. diapers--especially large sized, feminine hygiene items, cleaning products, toiletries) for local charities. When you come to our building for an activity or are just in the neighborhood, you can drop some off.
To learn of additional efforts—current and planned—contact Audrey or come to an SJC meeting. All are invited.
Success depends on the help of many people.
For more information, contact Audrey (audreypleasant@gmail.com).
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JOIN THE SJC EMAIL LIST!
We have so many plans in progress!
To keep up to date, be sure you are signed up for the SJC email list
Contact Audrey Pleasant:
(audreypleasant@gmail.com) to sign up!
No obligation!
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JEWS FOR A SECULAR DEMOCRACY
Nomi Joyrich, Michigan director of Jews for a Secular Democracy, a project of the Society for Humanistic Judaism, has an urgent need for election protection challengers and phone bankers. She will also need help with tabling.
For more information or to volunteer, contact her at nomi@jfasd.org. She would like to hear from you asap.
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WELL WISHES
BEST WISHES FOR A SPEEDY RECOVERY TO
Joe Barclay
Lee Bricker
Rabbi Jeffrey Falick
Natan Fuchs
Jim Walker
Please inform us if you know that someone is ill or in need.
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ONLINE, IN-PERSON & BOTH!
Classes are for members only or by arrangement with Rabbi Falick or Ann-Marie Fisher, exec. director.
THE AMERICAN JEWISH EXPERIENCE
In person and online. Members only. Mondays at Noon. On hiatus.
SOCRATES CAFE
Tuesdays, 11AM
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/182488428
MAH-JONGG
Tuesdays, 1-2:30PM, In-Person
For more information, contact Denise Parker, 248.321.9428.
YOGA
Wednesdays, 9:30AM, In-Person
with Connie Grossman
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