NEWS & EVENTS

June 3, 2025

Next issue: Week of June 23

Save the Date!

6pm Potluck Dinner / 7pm Meeting

In person and for members only. Ballots and bios of nominated trustees and officers - along with the proposed budget - will be emailed to members next week. (Trustee and officer voting may be done in person, by email or through the U.S. mail. Information is located on the ballots.)

IN THE FACE OF HATRED

As the the Jewish world continues reeling from Sunday's disgraceful attack on the Jewish community in Boulder, Rabbi Falick reflects on not just the pain—but also the deep roots and enduring strength that have carried the Jewish people forward for generations.

CLICK HERE TO READ

Topics and programs subject to change. Please check the calendar or latest newsletter!

✦ THIS Friday, June 6, 7PM

▶︎ RABBI FALICK WILL SPEAK...

BETWEEN SAFETY AND FREEDOM: JEWISH CONSIDERATIONS OF POWER, PROTEST, AND PRINCIPLE

As antisemitism rises and universities reel from protests, policy shifts, and political pressures, how should Jews respond? From campus deportations to billion-dollar funding freezes, recent headlines have sparked urgent questions about speech, security, and the limits of tolerance. Rabbi Falick will explore what is at stake—legally, morally, and communally.

With insights from Deborah Lipstadt, Jonathan Greenblatt, Rabbi Sharon Brous, and others, he’ll take a look at how Jewish leaders are charting dramatically different paths.

Drawing from Humanistic Jewish values and our congregation’s own history, Rabbi Falick will reflect on the tension between protecting our people and preserving the freedoms that make such protections possible.

IN PERSON OR ON YOUTUBE:

Click HERE or on the graphic for YouTube (live & recorded).

JUNE 13 - No Shabbat Service

✦ Friday, June 20, 6:30PM - NOTE TIME!

▶︎ SPECIAL SHABBAT MOVIE PRESENTATION!

JACK BENNY & CAROL LOMBARD IN...

"TO BE OR NOT TO BE"

Join us for a screening of the Ernst Lubitsch 1942 film, "To Be or Not To Be," starring Jack Benny and Carol Lombard (in her final role).

From the Criterion Film description:

"As nervy as it is hilarious, this screwball masterpiece stars Benny and Lombard as husband-and-wife thespians in Nazi-occupied Warsaw who become caught up in a dangerous spy plot. "To Be or Not to Be" is a Hollywood film of the boldest black humor, which went into production right before the U.S. entered World War II. Lubitsch manages to brilliantly balance political satire, romance, slapstick, and wartime suspense in a comic high-wire act that has never been equaled."

✦ Friday, June 27, 7PM

🏳️‍🌈 PRIDE SHABBAT 🏳️‍🌈

▶︎ RABBI FALICK WILL SPEAK...

LGBT JEWS:

THE LONG, WINDING ROAD TO YES

Rabbi Falick will reflect on the Jewish journey toward LGBTQ+ inclusion—celebrating how far we’ve come, and acknowledging how long it took to get here. From early breakthroughs and painful delays to unexpected allies and unfinished work, this Pride Shabbat message will explore the complicated legacy of each Jewish movement, the mainstream communal world, and our own Humanistic tradition. Join us for an honest look at victories, setbacks, and the continuing promise of full belonging.

JULY 4 - No Shabbat Service - Independence Day

✦ Friday, July 11, 7PM

▶︎ RABBI FALICK WILL SPEAK...

MANY BRANCHES, ONE TREE: THE STORY (& FUTURE!) OF AMERICAN JEWISH PLURALISM

Rabbi Falick will reflect on the unique story of Jewish pluralism in America, tracing how our many denominations emerged, evolved, and shaped the Jewish landscape.

He'll consider whether this “denominational model” still serves us today as a growing number of Jews embrace a cultural and / or non-denominational identity. He'll also ask where Humanistic Judaism fits into this ever-changing picture.

PLEASE NOTE ....

NEW STARTING DATE:

MONDAY, JUNE 30, 12:30PM

Join Rabbi Falick this summer for a thoughtful exploration of Zionism through the works of Dr. Einat Wilf.

CLICK HERE for a commentary by Rabbi Falick to learn more about the group and the books.

In-person and on Zoom for members only.

ATTENTION ALL GARDENERS!

GARDENING GROUP!

Sundays, 9:30-11:30

All hands needed and appreciated!

Please bring any tools, especially hedge trimmers, saws, rakes, yard bags, plus gloves. We have lots of fun and great camaraderie!

For more info, please contact:

Cathy Radner, radner210@gmail.com or 248.229.8954 with any questions.

THE AMERICAN JEWISH EXPERIENCE CLASS

All sessions now online!

From the earliest 17th-century settlement in New Amsterdam to the long-established American Jewish community today, participants will learn about the indelible mark the Jews of our continent and nation have made upon the millenia-long arc of Jewish history.

This class resumes in the fall ... beginning where we left off in the mid-1800s.

But you can still catch up!

Visit THIS LINK to watch all the sessions!

CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT

From SJC Chair Audrey Pleasant:

OUT AND ABOUT A CAUSE

The first trip of our "Out and About a Cause" series—a tour of Eastern Market arranged by Karen Strichartz—was greatly enjoyed by the 25 participants, CHJ members, and their guests. (See photos below.) Proceeds collected from participants paid the tour fee and raised an additional $500, evenly divided between Freedom House Detroit and Jewish Family Services (JFS) of Washtenaw County.

We are already planning the next trip! It will be a joint project of the Social Justice and Program Committees on Saturday, Sept. 13 when our program takes us on a tour of a stop on the Underground Railroad.

CHARITABLE CONCERT - ECURIES DU ROY

I'm also happy to report that Janice Young and I attended the benefit concert by the Ecuries du Roy, which took place at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Farmington Hills. Donations raised $400 which were also divided between Freedom House Detroit and JFS of Washtenaw Co.

OUR OUTREACH FOR IMMIGRANTS, REFUGEES & ASYLUM SEEKERS

These events are part of our support of immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. Stay tuned for more opportunities and feel free to contact us with offers to help.

OUR OTHER EFFORTS

We're also continuing to support other efforts, including our co-sponsorship of the 4th Jewish Climate Action Conference, which takes place in-person and virtually on June 8. For more information, please contact me.

We also continue our membership in the area's People's Water Board: all people deserve safe, affordable water.

JUNETEENTH!

Finally, plans are in progress for this year's Juneteenth celebrations. Below is a display flyer for the events in Farmington Hills. You don't need to live in F.H. to participate. All are welcome! You can even sign up for one of the many volunteer opportunities.

GET INVOLVED!

If you are interested in attending meetings or otherwise being involved, please contact me at audreypleasant@gmail.com.

The trip to Eastern Market was a huge success! And it raised money for both Freedom House Detroit and Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw Co.

NEXT SJC MEETING

Saturday, June 7, 11:30AM, on Zoom:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82417709465

Come help us plan!

For more information and meeting password, contact Audrey Pleasant (audreypleasant@gmail.com).

SAVE THE DATE!

Sat., Sept. 13, 11:30am

"Out and About a Cause"

Visits Second Baptist Church of Detroit Underground Railroad Tour

Visit the Second Baptist Church Connection to Freedom and take a historical ride on a train that traveled on no tracks. Sit in the Croghan Street Station and hear the story of runaways escaping slavery who rested in secret in a basement room of the church before crossing the Detroit River to Canada and “Freedom.”