Welcome to the Congregation for Humanistic Judaism of Fairfield County Connecticut.

A Letter from the President of CHJ

Humanistic Judaism offers contemporary Jews a true alternative to the other branches of Judaism. Our services reflect a bold, creative approach to Judaism as a cultural, historical affiliation. On the High Holidays we take pride in celebrating and reflecting on our Jewish identity, in examining who we are as Jews in the modern world. As Humanistic Jews, our every observance is marked by honest self-reflection and a positive commitment to our self-defined values and ethics. If you'd like to learn more about CHJ, feel free to call us at 203-226-5451 or visit the rest of our website. You can also learn more about Humanistic Judaism by visiting the website for the Society for Humanistic Judaism ( a larger organization with which we are affiliated).

A membership in CHJ allows you to enjoy our year-round schedule of activities and celebrations. If you have school-aged children, you might want to join to give your kids the opportunity to learn about their Jewish identity in our Sunday School, where Jewish tradition and values come alive through readings, discussion, music, and arts and crafts.

We also welcome you to our High Holiday services. This year, as in previous years, there is no charge for High Holiday Services. Childcare will be provided during all day programming. If you decide to join CHJ before October 30, you may apply any donations to your membership fees. Please call us with your questions or to make a reservation. 203-226-5451.

It's my pleasure to invite you to share the coming year with us, and I hope to see you soon.

Best regards,
Dana Preis, President

Join the effort to save the people of Darfur, victims of a genocide the world has not yet had the courage to stop. Read about CHJ's actions to turn the tide.

Summer Events September Events High Holidays

Summer Events

Sunday July 18 Women's Rap at Suzanne's. 10 a.m.

Saturday, July 24, 10:00 am Book Group: Brooklyn: A Novel by Colm Toibin at the Boyars.

Saturday, August 21 10:00 am
Book Group: The Three Weissmanns of Westport A Novel by Cathleen Schine. Homework assignment: Watch the film “Sense and Sensibility” (1995) by Director Ang Lee in advance.

Sunday August 15 Women's Rap at Libby's. 10 a.m.

August 25 Teen Tzdekah Club Backpack Project at the Westport Library between 3-5 in the Seminar Room.

August 21 Havdalah Service at Compo Beach havdala
It was terrific... good company, a beautiful setting, and a service with traditional symbols of wine, braided candle, and spice box. See Gail's photos here.

Sunday, September 12, 9:30 am
Open House Brunch &
First Day of Sunday School

Bagels & cream cheese — and more! Don’t miss this opportunity for a personal introduction to CHJ at our annual Open House. You’ll learn about our Sunday School, our Bar/Bat Mitzvah program, our cooperative structure, and how we blend humanist philosophy with Jewish traditions. Children are invited to attend Sunday School classes until 11:45 am. Location: Bedford Middle School, 88 North Avenue, Westport

September 25 Book Group meets at 10 am at the home of Marilyn Brownstein to discuss Wolf Hall:A Novel by Hilary Mantel.

Sept. 26 Sukkot at the Moons including a stop at a local farm beforehand to pick our own produce

High Holidays

Important: New location for all events
Unitarian Church, 10 Lyons Plains Road, Westport.

Wednesday. September 8, 7:30 PM: Rosh Hashanah Evening Service. Doors open at 6:30 pm.Speaker: Dr. Alan Katz, Professor Emeritus of Politics at Fairfield University: "Humanism and the High Holidays: Still Guilty After All These Years"

Thursday, September 9: Rosh Hashanah Day Programs at Unitarian Church, Westport

2:30- 3:15 pm Family service (All children welcome)

3:30 - 5:00 pm Adult Workshops (Supervised activities for children)

Friday, September 17, 7:30 PM: Kol Nidre Evening Service at Unitarian Church, Westport Doors open at 6:30 pm. Speaker: David Schmidt, Ph.D, Associate Professor of Business Ethics at Fairfield University.

Saturday, September 18: Yom Kippur Day Programs at Unitarian Church, Westport.

2:30 -3:15 pm Family Service (All children welcome)

3:15- 3:45 Tashlich (for all ages)

4:00-5:10 pm "Doing Good but Feeling Bad: Responsibility and Guilt" Discussion led by Dr. David Schmidt.
(Supervised activities for children)

5:15 pm Memorial & Closing Service
(Supervised Activities Continue)

Break Fast follows Closing Service

The Congregation for Humanistic Judaism is a welcoming, supportive community, serving Fairfield County since 1967, for secular Jews and their families to affirm, celebrate, and enrich Jewish identity and values. CHJ believes in personal responsibility to fulfill the Jewish ideals of loving-kindness, justice, and good deeds.

Humanistic Judaism is one of the five branches of Judaism recognized by the United Jewish Communities of North America. We are affiliated with the Society for Humanistic Judaism and the International Federation of Secular Humanistic Jews, active worldwide.

If you live in Bethel, Bridgeport, Brookfield, Danbury, Darien, Easton, Fairfield, Greenwich, Monroe, New Canaan, New Fairfield, Newtown, Norwalk, Redding, Ridgefield, Shelton, Sherman, Stamford, Stratford, Trumbull, Weston, Westport or Wilton (or Rockland or Dutchess Counties and don't mind traveling for your beliefs) and are seeking a congregation that allows you to be true to your humanistic values while celebrating your Jewish heritage, we may be the place! Our synagogue meets in members' homes and public schools. Please join us at an event and talk with our members. Your search may be over!

Send your children to a Jewish Sunday School whose teachings reflect your own views on what it means to be Jewish in America today. No doctrine, no dogma. A place where they can learn about Jewish history, holidays, culture, literature, art, and music in a warm participatory environment. For children pre-school and up. Small class size fosters involvement and learning. And, when it comes time for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah, it will be a ceremony your whole family will be proud of.

The Congregation is run as a cooperative and offers full range of member-led activities celebrating our Jewish heritage and values. Activities include adult education, tzedakah/social action, book discussion, and women's rap group. The Congregation values its sense of community. Interfaith families are welcome.