Monthly Archives: March 2013

Commemorating Fiction: Passover Complications

Posted on March 20, 2013 by Rabbi Adam Chalom

This was originally published in the congregational newsletters of The Birmingham Temple and Kol Hadash Humanistic Congregation Five hundred years ago, the meaning of the Passover holiday was relatively simple.  The family would gather to retell the Biblical story of God’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Holidays, Kol Hadash Shofar | 6 Comments

Humanistic Judaism: Basics & Intercultural/Interfaith Family Appeal

Posted on March 15, 2013 by Rabbi Adam Chalom

I recently gave a short presentation on Humanistic Judaism to a program of InterfaithFamily/Chicago for soon-to-be or recently married couples that I thought could be useful both as a basic explanation of Humanistic Judaism and to explain why we are a … Continue reading →

Posted in General HJ, Weddings | 2 Comments

Preparing for a Humanistic Passover

Posted on March 12, 2013 by Rabbi Adam Chalom

If the Exodus isn’t historical, what do we do for Passover? Fortunately, you’re not on your own – there are a number of resources, haggadot and more that can make the season meaningful and memorable for Humanistic Jews (and the … Continue reading →

Posted in General HJ, Holidays | 6 Comments

Being Jewish, god-optional

Posted on March 11, 2013 by Rabbi Adam Chalom

Title credit to Rabbi Judith Seid, author of God-Optional Judaism: Alternatives for Cultural Jews Who Love Their History, Heritage, and Community. One year ago, Moment Magazine ran a contest on “What does it mean to be Jewish without belief in God?” … Continue reading →

Posted in General HJ | 3 Comments

Our Quarterback, Our King – Two Problems with Liberal Theology

Posted on March 8, 2013 by Rabbi Adam Chalom

The Quarterback Deuteronomy 8:11-18: Do not forget YHWH your God, . . . .lest when you have eaten and are full, and have built goodly houses, . . . . You may say in your heart, “My power and the might … Continue reading →

Posted in Humanistic Judaism journal | 7 Comments

Why study and teach real Jewish history?

Posted on March 5, 2013 by Rabbi Adam Chalom

The most satisfying part of the Humanistic rabbinate is never having to say what you do not believe, and never being afraid to know. The recent flap in the Orthodox Jewish world over honestly engaging with modern Biblical criticism simply … Continue reading →

Posted in General HJ | 6 Comments