Compiled by James M. Branum as a supplement to our Community News section in Humanistic Judaism Magazine. For additional online events, please check with individual congregations. All times listed are local to each event, so if attending remotely, please double-check the time zone.
JUMP TO: Action Alerts – From the SHJ Blog – What we are reading – Congregational Events
Action Alerts
- JFASD: Tell the anti-choice right wing that American Jews believe — Reproductive rights are human rights!
- JFASD: Sign our statement — Stop using the phrase “Judeo-Christian values” to justify discrimination
From the SHJ Blog:
- The Vanishing Separation of Church and State: A Rabbi’s Perspective – by Rabbi Jeffrey L. Falick of CHJ of Metro Detroit
- A Humanistic Mikvah Experience? – by James M. Branum
- A review of the YIVO Museum’s exhibition “Am Yisrael High : Judaism and Cannabis” by by Rabbi Jessica Lenza
What we are reading:
Here are some of the books being discussed in book discussion groups in Humanistic Jewish congregations in August:
The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson
Discussed by: Or Adam, Phoenix
Discussed by: Secular Humanist Jewish Circle of Tucson
Two Old Women: An Alaskan Legend of Betrayal, Courage and Survival by Velma Wallis
Discussed by: Kol Hadash
Lady Clementine by Marie Benedict
Discussed by: Congregation for Humanistic Judaism, Fairfield County, CT.
The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi
Discussed by: The SciFi book club of Kol Hadash (IL)
How to Make a Life by Florence Reiss Kraut
Discussed by: Jewish Secular Community of Asheville’s book club
Congregational Events:
AZ, Phoenix –Or Adam Congregation for Humanistic Judaism‘s book club is discussing The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson on August 27th from 1:30-3 pm via zoom.
AZ, Tucson – Secular Humanist Jewish Circle will be discussing the book Judas by Amos Oz on August 4th at 3 pm via zoom.
CA, Berkeley – Kol Hadash, Northern California Congregation for Humanistic will be discussing the book Two Old Women: An Alaskan Legend of Betrayal, Courage and Survival by Velma Wallis on August 15th at 2:30 pm via zoom.
CA, Encino – Adat Chaverim, Congregation for Humanistic Judaism is taking a field trip to the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum from 8-10 am on Sunday, August 7th.
CA, Orange County – Pacific Community of Cultural Jews will be having their “Philosopher’s Café” (a friendly discussion group) on August 19th at 7:30 pm. Please RSVP to jrbythec(at)aol.com if you plan to attend.
CO, Boulder – Beth Ami, Colorado Congregation for Humanistic Judaism will be celebrating Shabbat together on August 12th from 6-7:30 pm.
CT, Fairfield County – Congregation for Humanistic Judaism, Fairfield County will be discussing the book Lady Clementine by Marie Benedict via zoom on August 13th at 10:30 am. Also on the 13th, the congregation will be having a social picnic with the Coalition of Reason at Wharton Brook Park starting at 11 a.m.
DC, Washington – Machar, The Washington Congregation for Secular Humanistic Judaism is gathering for picnic and outdoor fun for all ages on August 21st (time TBD) at the Potomac Overlook Picnic Shelter, 2845 N. Marcey Rd, Arlington, VA.
FL, Boca Raton – Congregation Beth Adam, South Florida Center for Humanistic Judaism is having an in-home only Shabbat discussion on August 5th at 7 pm.
IL, Deerfield – Beth Chaverim Humanistic Jewish Community – is hosting Shabbat under the stars at 6 pm on August 26th at Maplewood Park in Deerfield.
IL, Deerfield – Kol Hadash Humanistic Congregation ‘s SciFi Book club is discussing the book The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi on August 2nd at 7:30 pm via zoom.
MA, Boston – Kahal B’raira, Congregation for Humanistic Judaism is holding the inaugural meeting of its LGBTQ+ Working group via zoom on August 9th at 8 pm. All members from grade 8 and above invited to this intergenerational group.
MD, Baltimore – Baltimore Jewish Cultural Chavurahwill be viewing the zoom program Blacklist: The Hollywood Red Scare from The Jewish Museum of Maryland, on August 14th at 9:30 am.
MI, Detroit – Congregation for Humanistic Judaism of Metro Detroit is hosting two guest speakers. On August 12th at 7 pm, Journalist and CHJ membrer Jon Arking will speak about “The Unholy Trinity: How politics, religion & business combined to try to silence a smalltown journalist,” and then on August 19th at 7 pm, psychologist and CHJ member Dr. Bruce Hillenberg will discuss “The Psychological impact of our American Crises”
MN, Minneapolis – Or Emet, Minnesota Congregation for Humanistic Judaism will be celebrating TWO B Mitzvah services, both at 12 noon on August 6 and 20th.
NC, Asheville – Jewish Secular Community of Asheville‘s book club will be discussing How to Make a Life by Florence Reiss Kraut on August 25th at 3:30 pm via zoom.
NY, New York – The City Congregation for Humanistic Judaism has sessions for August scheduled for adult learning classes including Talmud for Secular Jews, and Reading Biblical Stories through humanist eyes.
OR, Portland – Kol Shalom, Community for Humanistic Judaism will be holdings its annual member picnic on August 6th from 3-7 pm. Members can check their email for directions and details.
Canada, Toronto – Oraynu Congregation will be having a Sing-along on August 14th at 7 pm. Check the website for more details.
Online (EST-based) The Spinoza Havurah * will be discussing Tisha B’Av from a Humanistic Jewish perspective at its regular zoom Shabbat service on August 6th at 10 am EDT.
Congregations in formation are marked with: *
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Or Emet’s (MN) book club just finished reading & discussing “People Love Dead Jews” by Dara Horn.