News & Events, Feb. 11, 2025

NEWS & EVENTS

Feb. 11, 2025

FOR THE KIDS:

"THE DOORPOSTS OF MIRIAM'S HOUSE"

This week's commentary is a Humanistic Jewish children's story by Rabbi Falick for our Spinoza Family Education Program. It's about a girl named Miriam and how she came to write a mezuzah scroll that meant something to HER!

CLICK HERE TO READ

DURING THE WINTER MONTHS,

WHEN THERE ARE WEATHER WARNINGS...

CHECK YOUR EMAIL AND OUR WEBSITE FOR CANCELATIONS!

Please note that our next two Shabbat programs are in-person events and will not be streamed. We will resume our live stream on February 28.

✦ SPECIAL PROGRAM!

Friday, Feb. 14, 7PM

LOVE, WINE, & POETRY ... AN EVENING OF MEDIEVAL ENCHANTMENTS

With a nod to Medieval Spanish Jewish wine feasts, our very short service—inclusive of our Oneg Shabbat—will include Iberian Hebraic love poems and lots and lots of libations!

Inspired by the Jewish Golden Age in Spain (and timed to the secular Day of Love), we'll hear some music, love songs, and poetry as we drink wine and feast on medieval (and modern) treats.

We invite you to bring TWO BOTTLES of wine ... one to drink and one to DONATE for future Shabbats!

(Non-wine libations are welcomed, too!)

✦ SPECIAL PROGRAM!

Feb. 21, 6PM

(Please note the time!)

▶︎ TU B'SHEVAT SEDER & SHABBAT DINNER!

Join us for a special Shabbat dinner program to celebrate Tu B'Shevat ... the harbinger of SPRING!

Considered the "Arbor Day" of the Jewish calendar, Tu B'Shevat has evolved to include its own (VERY short) version of the Seder.

The Tu B'Shevat Seder celebrates changes in the climate in the months ahead. We'll move from the cold of winter to the warmth of summer in our hearts as we use a wonderful Humanistic Jewish version of this Seder.

Requested Donation: $5 per person

RSVP: office@chj-detroit.org by Wed., Feb. 19

✦ Friday, Feb. 28, 7PM

▶︎ GUEST SPEAKER STATE REP. SAMANTHA STECKLOFF:

UPDATE FROM LANSING

We will welcome Rep. Samantha Steckloff, Michigan House District 19, representing Farmington Hills, Birmingham, Beverly Hills, Southfield, Bloomfield Township, Bingham Farms, Franklin and Southfield Township.

✦ Friday, March 7, 7PM

▶︎ RABBI FALICK WILL SPEAK:

JEWISH PRIDE, JEWISH DIGNITY ... A TALE TOLD IN SIX VIGNETTES

Rabbi Falick will talk about the power of Jewish identity in a complex world.

Through the stories of the biblical Joseph, Maimonides, Eli Weisel, and others, we'll reflect on how Jews throughout history have built meaningful connections with the wider world while preserving—and celebrating—Jewish dignity and pride.

Together, we'll consider what their life lessons mean for us today as we navigate the challenges of modern Jewish life.

Deadline is March 10!

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

FOR OUR CHJ RETREAT TRIP TO CINCINNATI!

Friday, May 2 - Sunday, May 4

Join members of CHJ for this wonderful trip to one of the most important cities of American Jewish history!

Tentative Schedule:

✡ Friday evening Shabbat with members of Humanistic Congregation Beth Adam.

✡ Saturday morning discussions & learning with Rabbi Falick and CHJ members.

✡ Saturday early afternoon tour of the historic Plum Street Temple of the Isaac M. Wise Congregation.

✡ Saturday late afternoon / evening / dinner on our own to visit points of interest & fun.

✡ Sunday morning private tour of the Hebrew Union College, America's oldest institution of Jewish higher learning where Rabbi Sherwin Wine (and Rabbi Falick) studied and were ordained; includes the Skirball Museum and American Jewish Archives.

Price: $75 per person

(covers Friday night dinner, Saturday light lunch, all group tours, & administrative costs; non-refundable; does not cover Saturday night dinner on our own or Sunday lunch at time of departure)

Lodging: The Hampton Inn & Suites in Cincinnati-Mason, Ohio

Special rate of $139/night per room, includes breakfast on Saturday and Sunday. (Free cancelation until April 28.) Book your room AT THIS LINK.

TO REGISTER:

1) Email Rabbi Falick (rabbi@chj-detroit.org) to confirm your participation.

2) Send (or bring) a check to the office payable to the "Congregation for Humanistic Judaism" with $75 per person (non-refundable). Add "Retreat" to the notation line.

3) If you have not done so already, use THIS LINK to make your hotel reservation!

A Weekly Class with Rabbi Falick

THE AMERICAN JEWISH EXPERIENCE

NEWCOMERS TO THE CLASS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!

Because of the way the class is structured every session is accessible. And if you want to catch up on previous sessions, they're all available on YouTube (link below).

JOIN US!

Classes are held (most) Mondays at 12:30PM.

Next dates: Feb. 17, 24; March 3, 10, 17

Available LIVE on Zoom at:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81445899010

CLICK HERE TO CATCH UP AT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL

A MESSAGE FROM AUDREY PLEASANT, COMMITTEE CHAIR

There are likely to be many urgent social justice needs arising in the near future. As a congregation committed to this core value, we aim to do as much as our resources allow. While all members are invited to participate in ways that suit them, our committee needs help with generating ideas, planning projects, and facilitating initiatives.

If you’d like to have more input in our efforts and are willing to contribute, please consider joining the committee—all ages are welcome. We meet on Zoom for one hour, usually on Saturdays from 11:30am to 12:30pm, once a month, with occasional schedule adjustments to accommodate CHJ and personal calendars (please see the link immediately below).

For more information or to sign up, please contact me at audreypleasant@gmail.com.