News & Events

NEWS & EVENTS

Aug. 6, 2024

THIS FRIDAY

✦ Aug. 9, 6PM - NOTE TIME!

MOVIE WITH DINNER

▶︎ "CROSSING DELANCEY"

The classic romantic comedy that takes place on a disappearing Jewish Lower East Side of New York.

This 1988 film is a love letter to the Jewish Lower East Side. Filmed at a time when the last immigrant Jewish neighborhoods and history of that important place were fading from view, this wonderful movie tells the story of thirty-something Isabelle "Izzy" Grossman (Amy Irving) who spends her time going from her tiny, solitary West Side apartment to that of her grandmother (Reizl Bozyk) on the Lower East Side.

In between, Izzy builds a glowing reputation at the swank bookstore where she works. While her grandmother plots to find her a romantic match, Izzy is courted by a married, worldly author, Anton (Jeroen Krabbé), yet can't seem to shake the down-to-earth appeal of Sam (Peter Riegert), a pickle vendor.

Thirty-five years after its premiere, this film continues to evoke nostalgia for a key moment in the transition of American Jews from the last of the Eastern European immigrants to their fully American Jewish children and grandchildren.

✦ August 16, 7PM

▶︎ A CELEBRATION OF FREEDOM HOUSE DETROIT

TWO OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE

On this special evening we invite you to participate in one of two special events:

1. Come to CHJ at the usual time - 7PM - for the screening of a short Freedom House Detroit documentary followed by a discussion with CHJ executive director Ann-Marie where she'll provide a closer look at both the work of Freedom House Detroit and how CHJ has impacted the lives of local refugees. Followed by a wonderful Oneg Shabbat!

PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS NO REGULAR SERVICE ... BUT THERE WILL BE AN ONEG TO ENJOY!

2. Alternatively, you are invited to join our rabbi and members at the "Voices of Freedom" event at the Marygrove Conservancy. This event requires registration. Please see the graphic below or CLICK HERE to RSVP directly to Freedom House Detroit.

✦ August 23, 7PM

▶︎ A LEARNING SESSION WITH RABBI FALICK

THE RELEVANCE OF TISHA B'AV (THE 9TH OF AV) TO HUMANISTIC JEWS?

Tisha B'Av - the 9th Day of the Hebrew month of Av - is considered the saddest day of the Jewish liturgical year. It recalls the destruction of both the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem (586 BCE & 70 CE respectively).

Over the millennia it has also taken on the sadness of too many persecutions and disasters that befell the Jewish people.

What does this "holiday" have to teach HumanistIc Jews? Rabbi Falick will share some of the lore and history of the day, reaching back to tales of the Hebrew Bible from the sixth century BCE all the way forward to today.

NO PROGRAM ON AUGUST 30

✦ September 6, 7PM

▶︎ RABBI FALICK WILL SPEAK

HAS WOKE IDEOLOGY GONE TOO FAR?

Rabbi Falick has spoken in the past in support of the basic concepts of "wokeism." Now come two books challenging much of what is being taught in its name.

From the pen of Dr. John McWhorter, renowned professor of linguistics at Columbia University, author, and NYTimes columnist comes "Woke Racism: How a New Religion Has Betrayed Black America." This acclaimed scholar argues that an illiberal neo-racism, disguised as antiracism, is hurting Black communities and weakening the American social fabric.

David L. Bernstein, founder of the Jewish Institute for Liberal Values and former President and CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs - a national umbrella for local Jewish advocacy - has also written a book about "wokeness" from a Jewish perspective. In his new volume, "Woke Antisemitism: How a Progressive Ideology Harms Jews," he argues that woke ideology shuts down discourse, corrupts free speech, and has helped to spawn the new virulent strains of antisemitism.

What are the merits of these arguments? Rabbi Falick will share his thoughts from the perspective of freethought humanism.

WED., AUG. 28, 12:30PM

LUNCH BUNCH

With a discussion of the next chapter of "Getting Good at Getting Older"

On Wed., Sept. 25, Noon

Join us to discuss...

by Isabel Wilkerson

In this brilliant book, Isabel Wilkerson gives us a masterful portrait of an unseen phenomenon in America as she explores, through an immersive, deeply researched, and beautifully written narrative and stories about real people, how America today and throughout its history has been shaped by a hidden caste system, a rigid hierarchy of human rankings.

Beyond race, class, or other factors, there is a powerful caste system that influences people’s lives and behavior and the nation’s fate. Linking the caste systems of America, India, and Nazi Germany, Wilkerson explores eight pillars that underlie caste systems across civilizations, including divine will, bloodlines, stigma, and more. Using riveting stories about people—including Martin Luther King, Jr., baseball’s Satchel Paige, a single father and his toddler son, Wilkerson herself, and many others—she shows the ways that the insidious undertow of caste is experienced every day. She documents how the Nazis studied the racial systems in America to plan their outcasting of the Jews; she discusses why the cruel logic of caste requires that there be a bottom rung for those in the middle to measure themselves against; she writes about the surprising health costs of caste, in depression and life expectancy, and the effects of this hierarchy on our culture and politics. Finally, she points forward to ways America can move beyond the artificial and destructive separations of human divisions, toward hope in our common humanity.

Original and revealing, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents is an eye-opening story of people and history, and a reexamination of what lies under the surface of ordinary lives and of American life today.

This book is now the subject of "Origin," a major motion picture written and directed by Ava DuVernay.

Coming this Autumn...

A New Weekly Class with Rabbi Falick

THE AMERICAN JEWISH EXPERIENCE

Join Rabbi Falick most Mondays at 12:30PM for a new class about Jews in America. Beginning with the pivotal year of 1653, at each session Rabbi Falick will explore the significant events and individuals that defined American Jewry.

From the earliest 17th-century settlement in New Amsterdam to the long-established American Jewish community today, participants will learn about the indelible mark the Jews of our continent and nation have made upon the millenia-long arc of Jewish history.

** The class will be held in person.

** Brown bags encouraged, coffee and tea provided.

** A Zoom stream will also be available and class sessions will later be posted to the CHJ YouTube channel.

BEGINS OCTOBER 14, 12:30PM

For members and approved guests only.

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING

Saturday, Aug. 10, 11:30AM to 12:30PM

Join us to learn about opportunities for nonpartisan election efforts and other social justice advocacy. Can't make it but want to get involved? Contact Audrey Pleasant (audreypleasant@gmail.com) for more information!

Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82417709465

ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND!

JOIN THE SJC EMAIL LIST!

Stay up-to-date!

If you want email updates about events, contact Audrey Pleasant:

(audreypleasant@gmail.com) to sign up!

No obligation!

COLLECTIONS UNDERWAY

Help us to clothe and supply those in need...

...with toiletries, new or gently used spring clothing, toys, children's items for other needs, household items, etc. Drop off in lobby.

If donating items from other categories or larger items, please first contact Audrey Pleasant (audreypleasant@gmail.com) for more information.

KNIT / CROCHET / CRAFT FOR A CAUSE

Next Session: TBA

All welcome; no skill needed. Will include a beginners' lesson in crocheting!

An array of recent warm hats knitted by our group!

Contact Audrey Pleasant: audreypleasant@gmail.com to be on the reminder list.

JEWS FOR A SECULAR DEMOCRACY &

JEWISH EARTH ALLIANCE

A MESSAGE FROM KATIE REITER

Director, Jews for a Secular Democracy

As Tisha B’av approaches, we’re teaming up with Jewish Earth Alliance for Pre-Tisha B’av Virtual Lobby Day on August 8.

Please join us!

Meeting with your US Senators or their staff is the most powerful way to impact our government to take the big steps we need to protect people and Earth.

This session of Congress is critically important. We need Congress to:

Pass climate solutions in the Farm Bill

Protect critical regulations designed to clean up the atmosphere and slow down climate change

Fund state plans to help wildlife threatened by climate change and preserve the cycle of life

And more!

It is easy to lobby with Jewish Earth Alliance.

You will participate in a half hour appointment on Zoom with other Jews from your state, led by a volunteer who has experience lobbying. You will be provided with talking points and training.

Please join us by registering now for the Pre-Tisha B'av Virtual Lobby Day by CLICKING HERE.