Living Without Guarantees
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I sometimes hear Humanists (both Jewish and general) express a kind of secular regret: "If only I could believe in an all-powerful, loving and intervening god...." They imagine that they would be less afraid, more happy, and more confident in the present and future.
I have never held such a belief, so I cannot testify one way or the other from personal experience. I also see little point in arguing with people who testify to their own emotional experience of a comforting "presence" or other supernatural moment; what I might read as brain signals, they read as mini-revelation, and life goes on with friendly disagreement. While it is true that such a cosmic belief may offer theoretical comfort, it also raises all kinds of problems if applied consistently to human experience. When bad things happen, is that divine failure or our own fault? Is this loving and intervening god also a judging god who cares what you eat and wear and whom you love? There are many competing versions of such deities, and they tend to condemn hedging your bet by regularly praising or petitioning more than one.
In the end, we cannot force ourselves to believe what our mental landscape (that quirky combination of reason and emotion that makes up consciousness) tells us is false, no matter how much we might want two plus two to equal five. And there are benefits to a "secular without regret" approach to life. Our failures may be our own, but so too are our successes. We are motivated to act on our own behalf and to help others because we do not believe that anything else will. There is no mystery or extra guilt when disaster strikes; a world without cosmic justice is not a disappointment but rather the world as really is, and reality to which we respond. In Sherwin Wine's words, we live a life of conscious courage, being generous and kind with no guarantee of reward and steering our ship as best we can through troubled waters.
"We stand alone, and yet together, to create the world we want." Sherwin Wine
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Is the American challenge of race unique, or is it another expression of the human condition? Isabel Wilkerson, author of the acclaimed The Warmth of Other Suns, turns her perceptive eye and persuasive pen to compare American racism to Hindu caste and Nazi Germany. This award-winning book also became the basis for the 2023 biopic Origin.
Have you missed a recent Shabbat Service or want to re-watch one you enjoyed? Follow this link to view past programs.
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Facing the Present Moment
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Saturday, February 22, 2:00pm
Online Only
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The turmoil in the news, from Israel and Gaza to Washington DC, has created much stress, anxiety, uncertainty, and fear. Vulnerable populations feel isolated and targeted, the legal system is being stretched to its limits, and we may feel powerless to make a difference; in other words, the exact opposite of our Humanistic approach to life that celebrates our power to be in charge of our own lives and to make a difference.
To address these concerns and share our feelings, we will be holding a Kol Hadash town hall conversation on Zoom to discuss how we can face the present moment, individually and with others, on Saturday, February 22 at 2:00pm Central. We hope you will join us.
Questions? Contact Jeremy at info@KolHadash.com.
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Friday, February 21, 2:45pm
Fort Sheridan Metra Station
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Steering Committee Meeting Recap
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As a follow up to our recent Steering Committee Meeting held on February 6 we want to share the minutes from our January meeting. Follow this link to view the minutes. If you have any questions or comments on the minutes from the meeting or would like to attend the next Steering Committee meeting please contact Jeremy at info@KolHadash.com.
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We need Oneg hosts for March 28 and May 30. If you would like to host an Oneg or have questions about hosting, please contact Victoria Ratnaswamy at vlzr126@gmail.com.
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This year as part of Mitzvah Morning we're having a blood drive. If you're a regular donor, please hold off on any donations you might be doing in February or March so you can be part of our event on Saturday, April 5. Questions? Contact Jeremy in the office at info@KolHadash.com.
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Our Sunday School celebrated Tu B'Shevat - the "new year for trees" - with a Tu B'Shevat Seder to sample many varieties of tree fruits and nuts. Check out other pics from the seder on Instagram, and watch this email for other family celebrations at Kol Hadash.
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Do you have news? We'd love to share it. Engagements, Weddings, Babies, B Mitzvahs, Anniversaries, Graduations, Awards, Nominations, Appointments, Honors, Achievements. Email Jeremy in the office at info@KolHadash.com with YOUR news.
Honor a mitzvah, wedding, a yartzheit, passing, or other special event with a donation. Celebrate a friend or loved one or wish them well in a time of difficulty by making a donation in their honor.
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Sunday, February 23
our Sunday School at Deerfield High School
9:00-9:30am
B Mitzvah Prep Class for 6th/7th graders
9:30-11:30
Sunday School
10:00am-12:45pm
Confirmation Class Field Trip
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Join us at Di Pescara’s in Northbrook Court for canasta & lunch at noon. The restaurant requires players to order food for lunch (no minimum required) as compensation for hosting us. Everyone is invited! If interested or would like to be added to the weekly text please let Marlene Tambourine know at 847-476-8887.
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Wednesday, March 5, 7:30pm
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Please join us for the Women’s On-Line Chat Group. It is a great way to socialize without leaving your home. Topics such as “How to Make New Friends, Wardrobe Malfunctions, Genealogy, and What are your Moments of Jewish Joy,” are selected by the group. Please contact Judy Rosenzweig at jwr449@att.net if you have any questions.
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Thank you to all who have supported the publication of "Contemporary Humanistic Judaism" by purchasing your own copies and attending our virtual launch event last month!
Now that you've had a chance to dive into its pages, we hope you'll join us for a special discussion of the book with co-editors Rabbis Adam Chalom and Jodi Kornfeld on Monday, February 24.
Follow this link to learn more about the event and to take advantage of the 40 percent discount -- ending February 28!
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ALL are invited to bring a memorable family recipe -- from any generation and from ANY culture -- to share with everyone. You will share the history of this beloved recipe while adults and students enjoy a small portion of your dish. A delicious way to learn about each other’s traditions! Recipes will be distributed so others can have a chance to make it, too.
‘Tasters’ do not need to register - Everyone is welcome at this free program! Questions? Please contact our Youth Education Director, Ilana Shaffer, at youthed@KolHadash.com or 773-209-8266.
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Children age 3-6 years with their grown-up join Kol Hadash Humanistic Congregation with Rabbi Adam Chalom for holiday stories, songs, crafts and fun! Each child will decorate their own special object - something different for each holiday - to take home. We will have a holiday-themed snack, too. There is time for adults to schmooze (chat) and connect with other parents with young children. Questions to Youth Education Director Ilana Shaffer at youthed@kolhadash.com or 773-209-8266
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In March our classes on Jewish history, we'll be looking at the origins of unique cultures and movements within the Jewish diaspora, as well as how our people responded to social shifts in the world at large:
March 4: Ashkenazic Jewry
March 11: Kabbalah and Hasidism
March 18: Enlightenment and Emancipation
If you missed our previous sessions, it's not too late to join in -- Follow this link to explore our Adult Learning playlist.
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