The Congregation for Humanistic Judaism (CHJ) will hold its annual High Holiday services at The Unitarian Church in Westport, 10 Lyons Plains Rd. CHJ is known for its meaningful and relevant High Holiday themes, community spirit, and reflective workshops and discussions, all within the natural setting of the Unitarian Church grounds and sanctuary. All services and programs are free and open to the public, and free childcare is provided at daytime programming.
Services include readings, music and reflection about the major themes of the holiday, including self-examination and renewed commitment to positive action. Interwoven with these timeless ideas will be the theme of this year’s High Holiday services, the 10th anniversary of 9/11. The services are dedicated to the memory of those who lost their lives on 9/11/2001 and their loved ones, and to the imperative to learn and become better people, a better community, and a better nation as a result of that day.
Families with children of all ages are invited to attend a special Family Service on Rosh Hashanah, Thursday, September 29, from 1-2 pm. A Taschlich ceremony will follow at 2 pm, and a town-meeting-style discussion of the theme of 9/11 will run from 3-4:30 pm. Supervised childcare will be available after the Family Service until the conclusion of the day. There is also a Family Service at the same time on Yom Kippur, Saturday, October 8.
CHJ high-holiday observances are unique because services are written by members of the congregation. This year’s services were written by Marcia Kosstrin of Stamford. CHJ’s intention is to make the programs true to the lives and thoughts of modern Jews. The services and workshops are relevant to contemporary life while also promoting traditional Jewish values. Visitors will enjoy this refreshing approach to welcoming the Jewish New Year.
David Shafer, CHJ member and Co-Chairman of the Adult Education Committee, will speak about 9/11 and the Experience of Loss at the Kol Nidre Yom Kippur service at 7:30 pm on Friday, October 7. Live music plays a prominent role in this ancient Jewish ritual, marking the beginning of one of the most important holidays in the Jewish year.
Yom Kippur discussions on October 8 will run from 2:15-3:45 pm, following a 1-2 pm Family Service. Dr. David Schmidt, professor of Applied Ethics at Fairfield University and director of its program in Applied Ethics, will lead a workshop on Resolving Tough Ethical Dilemmas. There will be a simultaneous workshop called What is Humanistic Judaism?, for prospective and new members and the generally curious, as well as a guided meditation session led by member Gail Ostrow. Yom Kippur concludes with Memorial and Closing Services from 4 pm to approximately 5 pm, followed by a community break-fast.
The congregation’s annual Taschlich ceremony will be held outdoors on Rosh Hashanah, near the stream next to the sanctuary. This ancient practice, derived from a passage from the prophet Micah, which exhorts us to “cast off’ our sins, reinforces the theme of this holiday, which calls on us to discard those beliefs and behaviors that prevent us from being our best selves. Performing this ceremony in such a beautiful outdoor setting encourages us to embrace the meaning of the holidays with all of our senses, as well as with our minds and hearts.
Reservations at (203) 226-5451 are suggested for CHJ services and programs. Free childcare will be provided on September 29 and October 8 after the Family Services. All programs take place at The Unitarian Church in Westport, 10 Lyons Plains Road, and are open to the public free of charge. Casual dress is recommended for daytime programming.
Humanistic Judaism emphasizes personal responsibility in fulfilling the Jewish ideals of loving kindness, justice, good deeds, and giving to those in need. These ethical ideals are shared by Jewish tradition and humanist philosophy. Humanistic Jews practice in personally meaningful ways, consistent with a modern understanding of the world.
CHJ is a cooperative congregation run exclusively by members, who plan educational programs, social events and holiday observances throughout the year. Because it is a warm and welcoming community, interfaith couples also find it to be the right place for their families. CHJ offers a full-service Sunday School program for children through Bar/Bat Mitzvah. An Open House and first day of Sunday School is scheduled for Sunday, September 11 at 9:30 am at Bedford Middle School in Westport. RSVP to (203) 226-5451 or visit www.humanisticjews.org for more information.
Humanistic Judaism is the most recent group recognized as a major branch of Judaism by the United Jewish Communities. The Fairfield County CHJ Congregation was founded in 1967. Humanistic Judaism is now active in many countries throughout the world.
