Bruce Wither is a long-time member of Oraynu Congregation in Toronto, Ontario and was introduced to SHJ at the B Mitzvah of a close friend. He is a retired Grain Merchant.
SHJ Mission:
The Society for Humanistic Judaism inspires, organizes, and advocates for secular individuals and congregations to celebrate Jewish identity and culture independent of supernatural authority and aligned with the values of Humanistic Judaism.
As a new member of the Board I have been listening to the stories as to how each of us ended up as Humanistic Jews . And each story as to how we got here was different but the ending was always the same – a joyful and fulfilling one.
My story started as a Jewish Family in Germany named Winkler which came to Canada generations ago as Grain Merchants and which I still keep my hand in to this day. But along the way we put aside our Jewishness to assimilate and become non believers which became a perfectly acceptable lifestyle.
My introduction to Humanistic Judaism came twenty years ago when my son was attending the Bat Mitzvah of one of the girls in his school class and I ended up talking to her mother who explained Humanistic Judaism to me. The Humanist part I understand and I found that all the members I know have a stong committment to the human condition and it does not involve the participation of a higher being.
But the Jewish part was a more personal form of Judaism for me and very inspirational.
I could return to Judaism as a Humanist in a New Jewish Congregation that reflected my beliefs.
I joined Oraynu in Toronto, the only Congregation for Humanistic Jews in Canada, and was inspired again by amazing members like Rabbi Karen Levy, Rabbi Eva Goldfinger, Sandy Horwitz and Roby Sadler who introduced me to Jewish History, Tradition and Culture which I had avoided all these years. Oraynu is a vibrant Congregation and is lead by Rabbi Jonathan Cohen who involves us in all aspects of Jewish Activities in the Community.
One notable transition that is taking place in not only the Jewish community but in all Religions is the declining membership. We have seen numerous long established Jewish Congregations amalgamate due to lack of Membership and then even after amalgamation members leave because of conflicts.
I believe there is an opportunity for the SHJ to introduce our beliefs to this lost membership and I am excited about the potential of Humanistic Judaism to be a Major Contributor in a newer wave of Jewish Thought.
Gut Shabbos !
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