Meet Humanistic Judaism: An Alternative Practice
By Sybil Maimin
Secular Jews find a warm, comfortable and honest way to connect to their heritage at The City Congregation for Humanistic Judaism. Part of a national and international movement, Manhattan’s City Congregation offers an alternative means for secular Jews to come together to celebrate Jewish history and culture in a non-theistic way. An array of programs based on a secular, cultural Jewish perspective includes kids Sunday School and Pre-School, adult education, cultural Shabbat and holiday services, life-cycle events, and community service. Two Sundays a month, tots to teens have fun and thoughtful moments while receiving a thorough grounding in Jewish history, traditions, holidays, ethics, music, art, and stories. The highly regarded Bar/Bat Mitzvah program is unique, creative, and meaningful as students embark on individual, in-depth mentored journeys of learning and self-discovery.
Humanistic Judaism is a people-centered philosophy. It sees human reason and power rather than faith as the source of truth, and human intelligence and experience as capable of guiding lives. Common Jewish history, culture, and experience are valued and explored. #
All are welcome to services and celebrations. Cultural High Holiday services (reduced fee for newcomers) with concurrent children’s programs are Rosh Hashanah, Monday, September 10, 10:30 am and Yom Kippur, Wednesday, September 19, 10:30 am at the Watson Hotel, 440 West 57th Street. Open House/Information Sessions on Thursday, September 6, 7:30 pm and Sunday, September 16, 1:30 pm at 15 West 86th Street (SAJ) are opportunities to ask questions and learn more about City Congregation. For additional information and a full calendar, please visit citycongregation.org.
