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Welcome to the Congregation Serving
the communities of Fairfield County and beyond since 1967
Home Newsletter (opens pdf file in new window) Invitation to Membership and High Holidays Membership Form Children's Sunday School Adult Ed Directions Other Links at bottom of page |
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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!
Register Now for
Sunday School
Sunday School administrators
Rochelle Green and Beth Ulman announce that registration is now open for
CHJ's Sunday School. Children may be enrolled
in kindergarten on through the Bar/Bat Mitzvah class,
taught by Elise Klein. Jennifer Ginsberg and her daughter Eloise Libre head the music program. Hebrew
will be taught by Laura Snow.
JOIN THE CHJ MAKING STRIDES WALK AGAINST BREAST CANCER |
Welcome Back!
For New and Returning Members: Membership Form to print and mail to Treasurer Phil Garrison. For children who will attend the Sunday School this year, please also print and mail: CHJ Sunday School Registration Form and the CHJ Sunday School Medical Release Form. High Holiday information here. Open House
Sunday, September 7 9:30 am: Annual Open House Brunch. First day of Sunday School. Bagels & cream cheese – and more! Don’t miss this opportunity for a personal introduction to the Congregation for Humanistic Judaism at our annual Open House. You’ll learn about our Sunday School, Bar/Bat Mitzvah program, cooperative structure, and how we blend humanist philosophy with Jewish traditions. All children are invited to attend Sunday School classes (parents may stay until their child is comfortable) until 11:45 am. RSVP by Friday, September 5 at 203-226-5451. Location: Bedford Middle School, 88 North Avenue, Westport. Directions are here. September Schedule
Saturday, September 13, 10:30 a.m. Ben Stockman’s Bar Mitzvah at Unitarian Church, 10 Lyons Plains Road, Westport. The Congregation is invited. Sunday, September 14 9:30 a.m. Sunday School.
Parents are encouraged to come to the music session that begins each
program. Friday, September 19, 7:30 p.m. A Bintel Brief. From its inception in The Jewish Daily Forward to its contemporary renewal by Dr. Ruth Werthheimer. Call for location. Saturday, September 20 10:00 a.m. CHJ Book Group: Out
Stealing Horses by Per Petterson (it's great!). Call for
location. High Holidays Monday, September 29: Rosh Hashanah eve Service. 7:30 p.m. (Doors open at 7:00 p.m.) Oneg follows service. Tuesday, September 30: Rosh Hashanah Day Program Wednesday, October 8: Yom Kippur/Kol Nidre Service. 7:30 p.m. (Doors open at 7:00 p.m.) Thursday, October 9: Yom Kippur Day Program.Adult workshops. Supervised Activities for Children. 2:00 - 3:15 p.m. "Yom Kippur and the Search for Meaning" 3:30 - 4:15 p.m. Two workshops: "Ancient Vows and Modern Resolutions" and "What is Humanistic Judaism" 4:30 - 4:40 p.m. Traditional Kaddish. 4:45 p.m. Memorial and Closing Service. Supervised Activities for Children. 5:45 p.m. Break-fast. Free admission to all High Holiday programs. All are welcome.
HUNGER. We encourage all members to bring non-perishable food to all events so we can help replenish the food banks. Hunger is a year-round problem, even in our area. BOOKS FOR ZIM Also, please consider donating
school supplies, sports equipment (soccer balls, softball, basketballs,
volleyballs) that will be sent to Zimbabwe as part of the Books for Zim
project. Anything that can be used by a school (including books) is
welcome! |
Your Child Can Be in This Picture
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.
Come see what
we've got to offer! 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 and film discussion groups, retreats,
and men's and women's groups. The Congregation values its sense of community.
Interfaith families are welcome.
We welcome visitors to our programs so they may determine if an affiliation with our Congregation is appropriate for them. To reserve your spot at an event, or to get three monthly newsletters mailed to your home, or to simply get more information, call 203-226-5451.