The Secular Humanist Jewish Circle will sponsor a lecture on Sunday, March 9, by Rabbi Adam Chalom on “The Secular Synagogue: Judaism Beyond God.” The lecture will be held in the board room of the Junior League, 2099 E. River Road, from 3-5 p.m.
Chalom is dean for North America of the International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism.
Since 2004 he has served as the rabbi of Kol Hadash Humanistic Congregation in Lincolnshire, Ill. Prior to joining Kol Hadash, Chalom spent three years as co-rabbi of the Birmingham Temple in suburban Detroit, the founding congregation of Humanistic Judaism.
Chalom earned a B.A. cum laude from Yale University in Judaic studies, a master’s degree at the University of Michigan in Hebrew and Jewish cultural studies and his Ph.D. at the University of Michigan in Near Eastern studies. He received his ordination from the IISHJ. His mother, who was born in the Midwest, comes from an East European Yiddish socialist and Reform Judaism background, while his father comes from the Brooklyn community of Syrian Sephardic Orthodox Jews. They found common ground in Humanistic Judaism and Chalom grew up attending the Birmingham Temple.
Space is limited and reservations are encouraged. Those attending are asked to bring a food or cash donation for the Community Food Bank and a dessert or snack to share after the presentation. A light dinner for purchase will be available following the lecture. For more information or to make a reservation, contact Becky at schulmb@aol.com or 296-3762, or Hafez at hafezsusanward@gmail.com or 797-5622, or visit www.secularhumanistjewishcircle.org.
