Congregation for Humanistic Judaism

Shabbat Candle Lighting
2025-03-07 19:00 - 19:20, 2025-02-28 19:00 - 19:20, 2025-02-21 19:00 - 19:20, 2025-02-14 19:00 - 19:20, 2025-02-07 19:00 - 19:20, 2025-01-31 19:00 - 19:20, 2025-01-17 19:00 - 19:20, 2025-01-10 19:00 - 19:20 (America/New_York) and 4 more dates
Zoom opens at 6:30pm just to kibbutz.
At 7pm we light candles with a short service. We listen to music and short lectures. Watch for the Zoom link on the listserv Friday afternoon.

Women's Rap
2025-02-23 10:30 - 12:30 | TBA
Come join other CHJ women to talk about a topic to be chosen at the meeting. It’s a great way to get to know one another. We are looking for a host. If no host volunteers it will be on Zoom. Watch the listserv.

Jewish Journeys - Author Rebecca Clarren
2025-02-16 13:30 - 15:00 | Brooks Place,Westport Library, Westport, CT

Book Club - All Other Nights by Dara Horn
2025-02-15 10:30 | TBA
Based on real personalities such as Judah Benjamin, the Confederacy’s Jewish secretary of state and spymaster, and on historical facts and events ranging from an African American spy network to the dramatic self-destruction of the city of Richmond, All Other Nights is a gripping and suspenseful story of men and women driven to the extreme limits of loyalty and betrayal. It is also a brilliant parable of the rift in America that lingers a century and a half later: between those who value family and tradition first, and those dedicated, at any cost, to social and racial justice for all.
In this eagerly awaited third novel, award-winning author Dara Horn brings us page-turning storytelling at its best. Layered with meaning, All Other Nights reinvents the most American of subjects with originality and insight.

Come join the discussion at a member’s residence or Zoom. Watch the listserv..

Board Meeting
2025-02-11 19:00, 2025-01-14 19:00
We will begin work on the year’s programs and any activities of specific interest.
Please send me subjects of interest you wish the Board to consider in order to prepare the agenda.
Open to all CHJ members. Request the Zoom link from Previn Patel.

Men's Rap
2025-02-09 09:30 | TBA
Come and join us for kibbitzing and noshing.
Noshing starts at 9:30am.
Meeting at 10am.
RSVP – mensrap@humanisticjews.org
Watch the liserserv for venue.

TuBshvat Seder and Potluck Luncheon
2025-02-08 12:00 - 14:00 | Fairfield
Join us for a joyful Seder & Pot Luck Luncheon with songleader Adam Feder
Eat traditional foods provided by CHJ and enjoy different flavors (pot luck lunch) and celebrate the New Year of Trees.
What to bring: Pot luck luncheon dishes: Last names starting with A-M please bring salads, fruit or side dishes; and N-Z please bring heavy appetizers, bagels and cream cheese or main dishes
RSVP by January 24 with your name and how many guests will attend in your party: Racheljdreyfus@gmail.com
Volunteers are needed to participate in the service, set up and clean up, so if you are interested/available please mention in your RSVP.

Forum on Israel and Anti-Semitism
2025-02-02 13:30 - 15:00 | Member’s Residence Fairfield
These groups are organized by Loretta Jay, Michelle Tomarkin and Jessica Wolf for CHJ members to have a safe place to talk about Israel, anti-Semitism and other related topics and how we are affected.

See listserv for venue.

RSVP forum@humanistcjews.org.

Jewish-Ukrainian History and Ukraine's Current Crisis
2025-01-26 10:30 - 11:30 | Zoom
Jewish Children’s Folkshul is proud to host an important community presentation on January 26, 2024, from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM, featuring Ilya Knizhnik, a key figure in the Jewish-Ukrainian diaspora. The event, available both in-person at Folkshul in Philadelphia and via webinar, invites students (grades 5 through 12), adults, and the broader community to attend and learn about the complex history and current situation facing Ukraine.

Ilya Knizhnik, a long-time Folkshul member and passionate advocate for Ukraine, will share his personal family history and its deep ties to Ukraine, offering insight into the broader Jewish-Ukrainian experience over the past 150 years. The presentation will explore topics such as the impact of anti-Semitism, the evolving relationship between Jews and Ukraine, and the political and humanitarian complexities surrounding Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

In addition to his personal story, Knizhnik will highlight his role in co-founding Ukraine TrustChain, a non-governmental organization dedicated to providing critical humanitarian aid, evacuating civilians from war zones, and rebuilding Ukraine’s war-torn regions. Ukraine TrustChain has delivered aid to millions, evacuated over 65,000 people, and rebuilt thousands of homes, and Knizhnik will discuss how individuals and communities can support Ukraine’s ongoing needs and the organization’s important work.

The session will also include a Q&A portion, providing students and attendees the opportunity to engage directly with Ilya Knizhnik and learn more about Ukraine’s history, the current crisis, and ways they can contribute to humanitarian efforts.

Shabbat Program - Mizrahi Jews
2025-01-24 19:30 | Zoom
Guest speaker will be Jennifer Mizrahi. She will tell us about Mizrahi Jews. She is a public speaker having spoken on various topics.
We expect this to be an interesting and informative session. Looking forward to seeing you all then,
Watch the listserv for the zoom link.
For the Programming Committee
Previn

Women's Rap
2025-01-19 10:30 - 12:30 | Member’s Residence Fairfield
Come join other CHJ women to talk about a topic to be chosen at the meeting. It’s a great way to get to know one another. This month will be held at a member’s residence. Watch the listserv for the address.

Forum on Israel and Anti-Semitism
2025-01-12 13:30 - 15:00 | TBA
These groups are organized by Loretta Jay, Michelle Tomarkin and Jessica Wolf for CHJ members to have a safe place to talk about Israel, anti-Semitism and other related topics and how we are affected.

Please let us know if you can host.
Venue TBA.

RSVP forum@humanistcjews.org.

Book Club - Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
2025-01-11 10:30
In the spring of 2020, Lara’s three daughters return to the family’s orchard in Northern Michigan. While picking cherries, they beg their mother to tell them the story of Peter Duke, a famous actor with whom she shared both a stage and a romance years before at a theater company called Tom Lake. As Lara recalls the past, her daughters examine their own lives and relationship with their mother, and are forced to reconsider the world and everything they thought they knew.
Tom Lake is a meditation on youthful love, married love, and the lives parents have led before their children were born. Both hopeful and elegiac, it explores what it means to be happy even when the world is falling apart. As in all of her novels, Ann Patchett combines compelling narrative artistry with piercing insights into family dynamics. The result is a rich and luminous story, told with profound intelligence and emotional subtlety, that demonstrates once again why she is one of the most revered and acclaimed literary talents working today.

Come join the discussion at a member’s residence. Watch the listserv for the exact address.

Jewish Journey - The Chosen
2025-01-05 13:30 - 15:00

Men's Rap
2025-01-05 09:30 | Milford
Come and join us for kibbitzing and noshing.
Noshing starts at 9:30am.
Meeting at 10am.
RSVP – mensrap@humanisticjews.org

Women's Rap
2024-12-29 10:30 - 12:00
Come join other CHJ women to talk about a topic to be chosen at the meeting. It’s a great way to get to know one another. Meet us on Zoom. Watch the listserv for the link.

Shabbat Program - Hanukkah Celebration
2024-12-15 08:00 - 17:00 | Zoom
This will be a members’ Shabbat. All are invited to share your own Hanukkah stories from your childhood and family memories. Such sharing of our experiences enriches our Congregation and we at the Programming Committee eagerly look forward to hearing all of them.
Service to follow.
Watch listserv for zoom link.

Hanukkah Party
2024-12-14 15:00 - 18:00
Early pot luck dinner and home made latkes, BYO wine/beer.
Tzedakah: Toy and gifts drive
Music: Adam Feder and his band
This party is NOT open to the public.
However, members can bring their friends and family.
