give me your tired, your poor - or emetcal roots, role models of behavior from our family tree....
TRANSCRIPT
February 2013
Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor - Harold Londer, Madrikh
Immigration reform is in the headlines again. Whether due to
practical political considerations, or true belief in its value
(economically and/or morally) both parties seem committed to
some change. The Society for Humanistic Judaism (SHJ) in
October 2007, issued a resolution on this topic. It begins,
whereas the fate of the Jewish people has been inextricably
bound to issues of immigration and asylum for millennia. And
goes on to strongly support a fair and compassionate program.
(The entire statement, and others passed by the society, can be
found at the society’s website shj.org in the Issues and Resolu-
tions section).
Immigration policies have a long, often highly emotional histo-
ry in our country. Initial U.S. policy was to welcome all immi-
grants. From its formation through the late 19th century, we had
no restrictions. As president Tyler stated in 1841, we hold out
to the people of other countries an invitation to come and settle
among us as members of our rapidly growing family. The U.S.
Supreme Court ruled in 1849, that immigration was foreign
commerce and could only be regulated by congress.
Changes, however, were brewing. In the mid 1850’s a massive
Protestant anti-immigration movement (Know Nothing Party)
elected 8 governors and over a hundred congressmen, but
failed to get restrictions against immigration through Congress.
The Page Act (1875) was the first law passed that restricted
immigration. It was aimed against Asian immigration on the
West Coast. It restricted coolie trade and banned entry of ori-
ental persons. Multiple subsequent immigration laws were
passed, with laws as recently as 1943 restricting Filipinos and
in 1946, natives of India.
Immigration law clearly impacted Jewish immigration in the
1930’s, preventing many from escaping the Holocaust. Presi-
dent Hoover reinstituted the Immigration Act of 1917 in 1930.
Anti-Semitism was endemic at that time. William Carr an as-
sistant Secretary of State, after a trip to Detroit, described the
city as full of dust, smoke, dirt, Jews. Wilbur Carr, undersecre-
tary of state, after a trip to Atlantic City, wrote in his diary The
place is infested by Jews. The Act had a clause preventing
immigrants who were considered likely to become a public
charge, now known as the LPC clause. It required applicants to
provide, among other documents, a police affidavit attesting to
their good character. Jewish leaders argued this was not just
difficult, but dangerous. One judge called it an almost insuper-
able obstacle. Much to my amazement, President Roosevelt
told Carr: The German authorities are treating the Jews
shamefully and the Jews in this country are greatly excited...
but this is not a governmental affair.
I feel it is important that Humanistic Jews understand this his-
tory. It is one of the many reasons SHJ and Or Emet feel so
passionately about REAL immigration reform.
A Welcome Brunch For new Or Emet members and others interested in Or Emet!
We’re having a Welcome reception on Sunday, March 3rd at 10-12 noon
At the home of Harold Londer and Jan Withers
Please join us for an opportunity to meet
Or Emet’s Madrikh (Ritual Leader) and Leadership Team.
You’ll learn more about Humanistic Judaism, the Or Emet community
and be able to connect with other Or Emet newcomers.
~ Childcare is available on request ~
Interested in attending? Please RSVP by February 28th to [email protected]
For more information, contact Richard Logan, President [email protected]
- continued on page 3 -
2
The Illuminator
We welcome letters to the editor,
announcements, articles, commentaries
and photographs. We cannot guarantee
whether material will be suitable for
publication.
Madrikh
Harold Londer
Executive Committee
President, Richard Logan
Vice President, Arty Dorman
Treasurer, Sharon Miller
4316 Aries Court
Eagan, MN 55123
Members At-Large
Dave Zukor
Melissa Kenig-Davis
Assistant to the President
Joan Barnett
Program Committee
Allan Malkis
Jewish Cultural School
Eva Cohen
Newsletter
Nancy Schwartz, Editor
www.oremet.org
Or Emet is affiliated with the Society for
Humanistic Judaism (SHJ) and the
International Institute for Secular
Humanistic Judaism (IISHJ).
The President’s Message:
by Richard Logan
First, our Hanukkah Party at Wellstone Center was a huge success! A Big Thank
You to everyone! What a great bunch of kids we have. Our school is truly some-
thing special. But it can only be as special as our community.
Speaking of special, many in Or Emet and like-minded people, look for what
makes Humanistic Judaism special. I don’t have absolute answers, but suggest
that Jewish culture is by itself very special, that the contributions of secular Jews
to the modern world through science, medicine and secular philosophy are excep-
tional and that the survival of Jews against the odds over the centuries is extraor-
dinary. There is a lot for Humanistic Jews to celebrate, keep alive and admire.
When it comes to what Humanistic Jews might admire, I also submit the follow-
ing from the late Rabbi Sherwin Wine. His subject is unexpected, but he gives us
something I find worth thinking about.
Shalom,
Richard
SHERWIN WINE: A DIFFERENT TAKE ON HUMANISTIC JUDAISM
The excerpt below is taken from Rabbi Wine’s book Judaism Beyond God. Wine
discusses Humanistic Judaism from the viewpoint of whom we ought to admire. In
doing so, he adds greatly to an understanding of what Humanistic Judaism is. It
is worth a thoughtful read. – Richard Logan
“Heroes are important. They are the embodiments of our ideals. Even when we
exaggerate their virtues, honoring them is preferable to not having them at all.
We need two kinds of ancestral roots. We need folk roots, the memories of per-
sons and places that describe our beginning and development. We also need ethi-
cal roots, role models of behavior from our family tree. After all, the gods of tradi-
tional religion started out as revered ancestors.
Traditional Jews already have their human pantheon. Most of it is ancient and,
therefore, open to mystery and myth. Abraham, Moses, David, Ezra, Hillel, Aki-
ba, Isaiah, and Jeremiah are the major stars. And there are dozens of minor ethical
performers who people the pages of the Torah and the Talmud.
Humanistic Jews are still in the process of assembling their hero list. While most
of the traditional heroes are appropriate memories for our folk roots, most of them
are inappropriate as moral guides, as ethical role models. Some of them adored the
supernatural and deplored any reliance on human effort. Others were militantly
parochial, viewing any social connection with Gentiles as defiling and abhorrent.
We cannot simply borrow the traditional list and doctor it up a bit. We have to
create our own list (Italics mine – RDL). It will include not only ancient luminar-
ies, but also modern sages; not only those who stayed within the framework of
organized religion, but also those who denounced it. Our list of heroes will in-
- continued on page 3
3
Emma Lazarus, a Sephardic Jew (!), a poet and the author of The New Colossus, inscribed in Bronze at the base of the Stat-
ue of Liberty, after the quote in the title above, as we all learned in grade school, continues:
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!
Not much to add to this!
clude fewer people who can hide behind the myths of an unknown past and more people who are forced to face scientific
scrutiny of the present.
But how do we choose?
What are the criteria for a humanistic Jewish hero?
If we expand Purim to Hero Day – retaining all of the fun and retaining Mordecai and Esther as legendary models – we will
have a guide.
Humanistic Jewish heroes have to be famous. They have to distinguish themselves in some field of human endeavor so that
their names are widely known. The heroes must be identifiable, not only to their friends, but also to their enemies. A model
figure who nobody knows is hardly the stuff from which heroes are made.
They have to enjoy their Jewishness. Humanist heroes of Jewish origin who have no positive interest in their Jewish identity
can hardly be role models for those who choose this value.
They have to make decisions in a rational way. If they were always talking about faith and sacred authority, they would be
an embarrassment to recommend to humanistic youth. This criterion does not mean that they must be explicit devotees of
empiricism and the scientific method. Our heroes simply may be commonsensical people open to changing their opinion on
the basis of new evidence and able to live with uncertainty and the unknown.
They have to be people of action. In times of crisis, they must avoid passive waiting and use their human skills to solve their
problems. The child posture that places responsibility for action on protective outside powers is not morally acceptable.
Prayer is harmful when it is a substitute for real action. Waiting for the Messiah does not qualify you as a humanist hero.
They have to be bold. They must be willing to publicly challenge old ideas when they do not conform to the evidence of
experience, and to defy old institutions when they no longer serve human needs. They are not afraid to be innovators.
They have to be caring persons. They must be able to transcend themselves to serve the needs of others. They must be sen-
sitive not only to the desires of those who are familiar but also to the desires of strangers. Rational people who use their
reason against the welfare of the community may be smart, but they are hardly humanist heroes.
Who, in Jewish history, fits these criteria? Many come to mind – David, Elisha ben Abuya (the radical rabbi of the ancient
world), Baruch Spinoza, Theodor Herzl, David ben Gurion, Golda Meir, Albert Einstein, Sigmund Freud, Erich Fromm,
Woody Allen, Sholem Aleichem, Hannah Sennesh.
These people are humanistic Jewish philosophy translated into the flesh. They are easier to understand and to imitate than
are abstract principles.”
Madrikh’s Message, continued -
President's Message/Sherwin Wine: A Different Take on Humanistic Judaism -continued-
4
Jewish Cultural School — Update
Submitted by Eva Cohen, School Coordinator
The Jewish Cultural School is lucky to have such awesome students as well as the support of a great group of parents.
The success of the recent Tu B'Shevat seder was due in large part to the contributions of student singers led by Sarah Ber-
man-Young and abundant parent volunteer help. A big thanks to Nancy Schwartz, who gracefully led the seder in
Madrikh Harold Londer's absence. Many thanks are also due to Seth Finestack and the other parents who presented JCS
teachers with Barnes & Noble gift-cards at the January school session. Your generosity really makes teachers feel appre-
ciated, and we are grateful for the help and support you provide throughout the year.
Or Emet's Hanukkah party on the final night of Hanukkah was a resounding success! Nearly 100 members and guests
gathered at the Wellstone Center in St. Paul to celebrate the Festival of Lights with good food, good fellowship, and lots
of lively musical and theatrical performances by Jewish Cultural School students and other congregation members. Or
Emet President Richard Logan helped surmount the main obstacle to Hanukkah fun, the venue's ban on lighted candles,
by providing a great-looking electric menorah for Madrikh Harold Londer to “light.”
The JCS classes have all been busy; a sneak peak into each classroom follows, with pictures from our Hannukah Party:
The Littles class with Josh continues to have lots of fun learning about Jewish holidays, values, and simple concepts. In
November, students learned about Anti-Semitism and helping one another. They
also started learning the “Aleph Bet” song, and did some Hebrew alphabet yoga
with Sarah! During their December lesson, the class read Hanukkah stories, learned
how the dreidel game is played, and lit a menorah. In January, students listened to
the story The Giving Tree and sang a song about planting a tree for Tu B’Shevat.
The Middles class with Renee has spent the past couple of months expanding their knowledge of Jewish holidays, human-
istic values, and the history of the Jewish diaspora. In December, students learned about Hanukkah and Jews in early
America, tying the two ideas together with the themes of hope and optimism.
They read an interesting story, based on true events, called Hanukkah at Valley
Forge, which tells how George Washington was inspired when he learned the
story of Hanukkah from a Jewish soldier. Students talked about lighting the me-
norah and how, at the time of the American Revolution, people might have used
oil lamps just like the Maccabees did. Then students got to make clay oil lamps—
that really work! In January, the Middles planted parsley seeds, sang “It’s a Tree of Life” with Sarah, and did other fun
activities in honor of Tu B’Shevat.
The Juniors class has been continuing with its study of Jewish diaspora history. In December, students read aloud the
book Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins and then rehearsed a short play based on the book in preparation for the Hanuk-
kah party. The class also reflected on the ways that this story can be read as an allegory for the Ashkenazi Jewish struggle
against Anti-Semitism. The January session focused on exploring the three pri-
mary philosophies—traditionalist, rationalist, and Kabbalist—developed by Se-
phardi and Mizrahi Jewish thinkers during the Middle Ages. Students began by
taking part in a traditional Talmudic-style debate about an environmental ques-
tion examined in the Talmud. Then they considered the rationalist philosophy
that grew out of medieval Jewish interest in science and brainstormed rational
explanations for ‘miraculous’ biblical events. Finally, students collaborated on a creative fill-in-the-blanks activity to
learn more about Kabbalah and Jewish mysticism. Sarah also joined the class to teach some Hebrew Tu B’Shevat vocabu-
lary and the Israeli pioneer song “Zum Gali Gali.”
Several exciting JCS programs will be coming this winter/spring. Please refer to Upcoming Programs and Events listing
elsewhere in this issue of Illuminator.
As always, feel free to contact Eva with any questions or concerns. And, encourage interested families to email Eva at
[email protected] to arrange a no-cost visit to the JCS. All are welcome!
5
Member News
Michal Moskow’s granddaughter and first grandchild, Rosalie King, was born to daughter Arielah and husband Brandon on
Jan. 26th. And of course, Rosalie is the most beautiful baby in the world!
Meet the Artists in Our Midst ...
Watercolor paintings by Jane Katz, including her semi-abstract landscapes, are on
display for the month of February at The Egg and I (breakfast) restaurant, 2828
Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis. Open every day from early a.m. to 3 pm. Free parking
in adjacent lot. You can also see some of Jane’s work at mnartists.org.
Eva Cohen, a professional artist and Or Emet’s multi-talented Jewish Cultural School Coordinator, has a new website to
introduce. Eva’s art is informed by her interest in memory and family stories, her political activism, her reading and think-
ing about history, culture, and biology, her exploration of her Jewish heritage, and her work with young people. Eva’s crea-
tivity is highlighted in the Hagaddah cover she designed and illustrated for Or Emet’s Passover Seder. Visit Eva’s website
at evarosecohen.com.
From the Ground Up:
Or Emet’s Social Justice/Social Action Committee submitted by Arty Dorman
On Saturday, February 9, under the aegis of the Social Action/Social Justice
Committee, and in particular the leadership of Claire Press, Or Emet provided
and served supper to about 50 guests at St. Stephens Shelter and Human Ser-
vices Center in Minneapolis. Led by Claire’s energy and vision for the project,
a large contingent of Or Emet members and friends donated the food and volun-
teer help necessary for a successful dinner. This called for a great deal of organi-
zation, promotion and faith in the generosity and willingness of Or Emet mem-
bers and friends – and our community did not disappoint.
What a remarkable community effort! We will evaluate the outcome of spon-
soring this shelter dinner to determine if it will be repeated and, if so, how often.
Thank you so much to all who took part.
On other fronts, the Or Emet Executive Committee adopted a position in support of legislation legalizing same-sex marriag-
es in Minnesota, mirroring the position taken by the Society for Humanistic Judaism. We also are seeking opportunities to
discuss and support sane gun control laws. The recent elections in Israel raise the possibility of new openings to forge
peace between Israel and their Palestinians neighbors. Be on the alert for communiqués about opportunities to get involved
in these or other social justice concerns that reflect Jewish and humanistic values.
Lastly, we will repeat last year’s March food drive to support the Neighborhood House Food Shelf, as well as continuing
our ongoing collection of personal care items at all Friday and Sunday programs.
The Social Justice/Social Action Committee meets following each Sunday program, at the Groundswell Coffee Shop at the
corner of Hamline and Thomas Avenues in St. Paul. Please join us or contact Arty Dorman at [email protected]
651-487-3793 to get involved or share your point of view.
6
Program Committee & Upcoming Events!
Sunday, February 24, 2013, 10 am – 12:30 at Friends School of MN, St Paul
Jewish Cultural School meets during the Adult Program; later, adults and children gather for the Purim carnival
Program: Annual Jewish Humor Event in honor of Purim. Come prepared to share your favorite Jewish jokes and stories!
Emcees: Richard Logan and David Fox, Or Emet members
Richard has studied and lectured on the psychology of humor; David is a connoisseur of Jewish humor and storytelling
Sunday, March 3, 2013, 10 am – 12 noon at the home of Harold Londer and Jan Withers
Welcome Brunch - for new Or Emet members and others interested in Or Emet
For more information, refer to article about this Welcome Event elsewhere in this Illuminator issue.
Friday, March 15, 2013, 7:30 pm at Mpls Sabes Jewish Community Center, St Louis Park
A brief Humanistic Shabbat service precedes the program
Program: Or Emet’s Jewish Community School: Curriculum and staff
Presenter: Eva Cohen, Or Emet member, Jewish Cultural School Coordinator, professional artist
Sunday, March 24, 2013, 10 am – noon at Friends School of MN, St Paul
Jewish Cultural School meets during the Adult Program
Program: Israeli and Palestinian Literature
Presenter: Stacy Beckwith, Chair Department of Middle Eastern Languages, Carleton College
Saturday, March 30, 2013, 5 – 8 pm at First Unitarian Society, 900 Mt. Curve Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Or Emet’s Passover Seder potluck – congregational Seder celebrated in the Humanistic Tradition
For more information, refer to article about the Seder elsewhere in this Illuminator issue.
Friday, April 12, 2013, 7:30 pm at Mpls Sabes Jewish Community Center, St Louis Park
A brief Humanistic Shabbat service precedes the program
Program: Social Justice in Somalia and the Diaspora
Presenter: Michal Moskow, Or Emet member, teaches human rights, social justice and immigrant issues at Metro State and Ham-
line.
Sunday, April 21, 2013, 10 am – noon at Friends School of MN, St Paul
Jewish Cultural School meets during the Adult Program
Program: A participatory discussion: What role do traditional texts have in Humanistic Judaism?
Presenter: Allan Malkis, Or Emet Member and Program Committee chair, Senior Program Evaluator, Ramsey County
Saturday, May 4, 2013, 12 noon – 2 pm at St Paul JCC
Family Shabbat – Family-friendly Humanistic Shabbat and Havdalah services with hands-on Shabbat activities
Friday, May 10, 2013, 7:30 pm at Mpls Sabes Jewish Community Center, St Louis Park
Program: Get Off Your T****s and Go Back to School: The Joy of Learning the Second Time Around
Presenter: Carol Logan, Or Emet member, formerly Russian language lecturer and Soviet/Russian Specialist
Sunday, May 19, 2013, 10 am – 12:30 at Friends School of MN, St Paul
Program: Traveling the Land of Israel – Israeli Music and Dance
The Adult Program and Jewish Cultural School programs will join together today
Presenter: Shira Schwartz, music and dance teacher, choreographer and director
---------------
The Program Committee is interested in adding members. If you want to help find and arrange Or Emet’s interesting speakers
and programs, please call Allan Malkis at 651-295-9268 or email [email protected].
Announcements from the Program Committee
Rimon: The Minnesota Jewish Arts Council, an initiative of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation, promotes and enhances Jew-
ish identity through arts and culture, supports arts and artists and assists the Jewish community in arts involvement. Visit Ri-
mon’s http://www.rimonmn.org for information about upcoming Jewish cultural/artistic events.
The American Humanist Association’s 72nd annual conference will be May 30 – June 2, 2013 in San Diego, CA. For fur-
ther information, visit http://www.americanhumanist.org/conference.
7
Or Emet Salon Meets Monthly to Discuss Sherwin Wine’s Last Book Submitted by Faith Oremland On the third Sunday of each month a group of lively, communicative Or Emet members read and discuss Sherwin’s book, A
Provocative People. For some, the early chapters were a challenge as we plowed through names, names and more names of
the tribes of our ancestors. We recently completed the chapter that describes the origin of monotheism followed by the
chapter on the rise of the Greeks and their Hellenistic culture and the development of a diaspora. By 100 – 300 A.D, there
were three million Jews scattered across the newly established Roman Empire. Our study chapter for February focuses on the rise in power of the Rabbis, the bibliolatry (worship of words) of the Torah in
place of the Temple since its destruction, and the beginnings of a new salvation religion, Christianity. If you are currently reading or have read the book and would like to join the group, please contact Faith Oremland at
Or Emet in the Community
The Jewish Film Festival at the Sabes JCC in St Louis Park will be February 28th until March 17th. This annual event is a
cultural highlight for Jews and many others in the Twin Cities. Many of the films are Israeli and/or secular in viewpoint and
congenial to the Or Emet worldview. In keeping with this, Or Emet will sponsor one of this year’s films, The Other Son,
which raises interesting questions about Jewish Identity. The Other Son will be shown at the JCC on March 12th at 7 pm.
Film festival details are at http://www.sabesjcc.org/arts-films.php.
Or Emet’s Seder Celebrates Passover in the Humanistic Tradition
At First Unitarian Society
March 30th, 2013 from 5 – 8 pm
Our community Seder celebrates Passover through a Humanistic Jewish service led by Harold Londer,
Or Emet’s Madrikh. We read from a Humanist Haggahah, which includes both the legendary tale of
the exodus from Egypt and modern Jewish exodus stories. Children from the Jewish Cultural School, adult members of
the congregation, friends and families all share in the festivities. Of course, the children get to search for the afikoman!
Join us for a great meal of roast turkey and traditional Passover foods. Everyone contributes to the potluck.
Or Emet members and visitors are invited to attend. Space is limited and reservations are required.
Reservations:
Begin March 10th and end March 25h
Make your reservation online at seder.oremet.org
(If unable to reserve online, send email to [email protected] or call Joan Barnett 612.834.0197)
Volunteer help is key to the Seder’s success!
Cost:
No charge for members
Non-member fees are $10 for adults and teens, $5 for children under 12 years
We welcome additional donations
Location: First Unitarian Society, 900 Mt. Curve Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403
First Unitarian is a handicap accessible building with parking on street (Mt Curve or Groveland Ave) or in Walker Art
Center ramp for a fee (enter 1st Unitarian from Groveland entrance). Public transportation is nearby.
We look forward to celebrating Passover with you!
8
TO SPEAK OR NOT TO SPEAK – THAT IS THE QUESTION By Andrea Friedlander, President of the Society for Humanistic Judaism
For those of you who read my column in the last Humanorah and/or the November SHJ e-newsletter, I
apologize that this article is old news. But I think the explanation merits repeating in different formats
to reach the widest audience possible.
Letters, OY, does the Society get letters! Usually these letters – nowadays emails – are written in response to a position the
Society has taken on social issues, such as our recent positions on workers’ rights, conscience clauses, school vouchers, and
assault weapons. Sometimes the emails are supportive, and sometimes they’re angry. Do more! Do less! Stand up! Sit
down! What’s a Society to do?
Recognizing that it is impossible to please everyone (i.e. the old adage: if you have two Jews, you’ll get three opinions), it is
important for everyone to understand the reason for our decisions.
Why does the Society take positions at all? First, the Society’s Mission and Vision Statements (adopted by the Board in
April 2010) provide in part that the Society should be a voice for Humanistic Judaism and increase the visibility of the Soci-
ety. Taking positions on important social issues, especially when other organizations (both Jewish and secular) are speak-
ing up, is one way for Humanistic Judaism to have a voice on the national stage, and it is likewise an important means for
gaining visibility and recognition as a legitimate fifth branch of Judaism. Second, the membership survey we conducted a
few years ago indicates that our members want us to speak up for our Humanistic Jewish values.
Recognizing, however, that social issues can be controversial and can often become the subject of political action, last Octo-
ber the SHJ Board adopted criteria intended to limit the Society’s positions to “the glue that binds us together” as Human-
istic Jews. These new guidelines provide:
Criteria for Selection of Issues
Are we advocating evidence-based policy solutions that promote the core ethical values offreedom, dignity and self-esteem
for every human being? This is a prerequisite.
If so, then the resolution must relate to at least one of the below criteria:
1. separation of church and state, OR
2. Jewish identity/culture, OR
3. a position with which an overwhelming majority of the SHJ are likely to agree.
To illustrate how these guidelines work, positions supporting reproductive choice and gay marriage, and opposing con-
science clauses and school prayer would satisfy the separation of church and state prong of the test since these policies are
religiously motivated. Our recent position urging the London Olympics to commemorate the murdered 1972 Israeli Olym-
pians satisfied the Jewish identity/culture prong of the test. And positions against bullying, violence &hate speech, and the
sale of assault weapons would satisfy the overwhelming majority agreement third prong of the test. In contrast, for exam-
ple, positions on tax reform, while arguably related to our core ethical values, would not satisfy any of the three prongs of
the test.
Satisfying the criteria is just the first hurdle. The position is then subject to a vote by the SHJ Ethical Concerns Committee
(consisting of approximately 15 Board members) and the SHJ Executive Committee (consisting of 9 Board mem-
bers). These decision-makers represent a large number of our affiliated communities.
Bottom line: No matter what we say, we will not have 100% agreement among our members; yet remaining silent is not the
better option. The guidelines are an attempt to give Humanistic Judaism a voice, but with balance and discipline. If you
disagree with a particular position, let’s simply agree to disagree, recognizing that the Society’s only agenda is to find ways
to promote Humanistic Judaism and Humanistic Jewish values. And no hard feelings, ok?
SHJ News
9
Too Cool for Shul? By Howard Schneider
I’ve been a member of Or Emet for 15 years and have really enjoyed and valued… people, programs, and place:
Wonderful, kind people.
Programs that inform and provoke.
Place for me to be the Jew that I am.
Or Emet is the home for wondering Jews and I have noticed an existential concern about who are we as Jews and where
we fit within the Jewish community. I suspect just about all of us (or is it just me?) have thought about this and have had
a sense that we are different from other Jews, especially those who are synagogue members.
But here’s the deal… we’re really not that different and share more than we usually realize!
How do I know this? Well, being a retired social scientist, but still curious after all these years, here’s what I’ve discov-
ered through two Jewish population surveys:
According to Belonging Without Believing by Steven Cohen and Lauren Blitzer,
41 percent of American Jews are absolutely certain about a belief in God.
Even fewer, 31 percent, state that religion is very important in their lives.
Only 16 percent attend religious services at least once a week.
10 percent look to religious teachings on questions of right and wrong.
However, 55 percent of Jews belong to a synagogue.
Barry Kosmin noted in his report, The Changing Population Profile of American Jews 1990-2008, that:
“The ‘No Religion’ portion of the Jewish population increased from 20 percent in 1990 to 37 percent in 2008.”
To summarize, here is a quote from the Cohen and Blitzer study:
“Jews may not believe all that much, but they do belong to congregations.”
“…Jews’ patterns of religious belief and religious behavior more closely resemble those of religiously unaffiliated.”
Here are a couple of interesting questions for us to consider:
Being that both survey results are from 2008, how have things changed in the past five years?
How would Or Emetites’ responses compare to the random samples in the studies?
If you’d like to know more about research on the American Jewish population, send an email to hamptonmead-
[email protected] or check with me at our next event. No twitter.
Where does courage come from? A Humanist Answer –
Book review by Allan Malkis
Recently I read Beautiful Souls by Eyal Press, a short book that asks why people do the right thing. The author, an
award winning journalist, tells the stories of four people who took risks to help others at potentially high cost to them-
selves. The four include a Swiss police officer who allowed Jewish refugees from Hitler’s Germany to stay in Switzer-
land, a Serbian man who lied to save Croatian prisoners during the Balkan conflict, an Mexican American financial ser-
vices sales executive who blew the whistle on her corporate bosses and an Israeli member of the elite special forces who
refused to serve in the occupied territories. Press interviews the people or their families and tries to determine what mo-
tivated these “beautiful souls” (a Hebrew phrase connoting those too innocent or naive). He reviews and dismisses
many standard arguments about the rational or religious roots of such courage. I am not sure I know the ultimate answer
to the question, but I am glad I read the book and came to understand more about these true heroes.
Member Contributions
10
Or Emet c/o Nancy Schwartz 217 Wedgewood Drive St. Paul, MN 55115
- Transportation -
Do you need transportation to Or Emet events?
If so, we’re able to provide
transportation resources so you don’t miss participating
in Or Emet’s programming.
Please contact Joan Barnett [email protected] or 612.834.0197
For Or Emet Youth:
HuJews Teen & College Conclave
April 12-14 in suburban Detroit
HuJews Conclave is an annual international conference spon-
sored by the Society for Humanistic Judaism and the National
Youth Organization for Humanistic Judaism. Conclave brings
together young Humanistic Jews for a weekend of fun, service,
insight and discovery. Conclave enables young Humanistic Jews
to connect with peers from across North America, discover more
about Humanism and become more connected to Jewish culture
and their Jewish identity.
Or Emet will help with costs for youth wishing to attend this pop-
ular and successful event. Check out HuJews on Facebook.
For more information, contact:
Richard Logan [email protected]
or Eva Cohen [email protected]