Many of our High Holiday services are held at space we lease at the AJU-- the American Jewish University (previously known as UJ, the University of Judaism), which is centrally located just off the 405 freeway at Skirball Center Drive, with easy access from everywhere in L.A., including the Westside of Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley.  Our wonderful Family Tashlikh services are held at Los Encinos park in Encino.

We also have  Saturday Shabbat Services, at 11:00am on the second Saturday of each month in Sherman Oaks, again conveniently off the 405 freeway.  We hope to see you at one of our upcoming services!

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about our services:

Why do Humanistic Jews need Services if they are not worshiping God?

Fundamentally, Humanistic Jews attend services to fulfill the same needs as theistic Jews – the need for community, for a connection to Jewish identity, for personal reflection, and for inspiration.

Naturally, the relative importance of each of these benefits varies with individuals.   Humanistic Jewish services provide an opportunity for people with common values to come together as a supportive community and reflect upon the time that has passed and make conscious choices about how they want to live their lives.

This is also a time to be inspired by song, by meaningful poetry and prose, by the ancient writings of our ancestors that have stood the test of time, and by the words of the members of our extended Jewish family who have lived lives of courage and contributed to making the world a better place.  During a Humanistic Judaism service, secular Jews become more grounded in their Jewish identity by performing the rituals of their Jewish Cultural Heritage.

Humanistic Jews bring what they say into correspondence to what they believe:  our words match and are true to our convictions.  Within the comfort of those beautiful rituals and the Jewish music and the inspiring words of a Humanistic service, congregants hope to find a sense of centered-ness that will empower them to lead more fulfilling lives.

What do Humanistic Jews do during Services if they are not worshiping God?

At first glance, a Humanistic Service looks and feels very much like a traditional service.   It has the same rhythm and structure (although it tends to be significantly shorter).  The main departure, of course, is that it is non-theistic.  Humanistic Jews have chosen to focus our services on empowering individuals to lead their best lives and to be positive contributors to the world.  We do not mention God -- worship, praise, or glorify him-- in our services, regardless of the particular beliefs individual members may have.  Our services do include lots of singing (traditional Jewish songs, current Hebrew songs, and songs that are uniquely Humanistic Jewish).

Humanistic Jews recognize that music has a special ability to impact people at a deep emotional level and to bring a sense of fun and community spirit to celebrations.  Humanistic services also include rituals and meaningful readings from ancient texts, from prominent thinkers, and from Humanistic scholars.

Most services encompass a particular theme and feature either a presentation or an interactive experience.  The services are appropriately tailored to the particular event, whether Sabbath, Rosh Hashanah (including Tashlikh), Yom Kippur (including Kol Nidre), a Memorial service, etc.  Finally, following in a rich Jewish tradition, perhaps the critical one shared by Jews throughout the generations and around the world, Humanistic Jews always incorporate eating and schooling whenever we get together!

Below is an example of a Humanistic Candle Lighting blessing in both Hebrew and English.  The words enable congregants to engage in time honored ritual without saying anything that might not be in accord with their personal beliefs and values:

Ba-ruch ha-or ba-o-lam. Blessed is the light in the universe.
Zo-hair ha-or ba-a-dam. Radiant is the light of humankind.
Ya-kar ha-or shel sha-lom. Precious is the light of peace.

Below is an example of a popular traditional song in accord with the Humanistic philosophy:

Na-a-se  Sha-lom
Na-a-se  sha-lom  ba-o-lam,
Na-a-se  sha-lom  a-lay-noo
V'-al  kol  ha-o-lam,
V'-eem-roo, eem-roo  sha-lom.

Na-a-se  sha-lom
Na-a-se  sha-lom
Sha-lom  a-lay-noo  v'-al  kol  ha-o-lam.

Na-a-se  sha-lom
Na-a-se  sha-lom
Sha-lom  a-lay-noo  v'-al  kol  ha-o-lam.

{Translation: "We will make peace in the world. We will make peace amongst ourselves and among the entire world, and let us say “shalom.”)

A core song of the Humanistic Jewish Movement that epitomizes our philosophy is "Ayfo Ori."   It was written by our founder, Rabbi Sherwin Wine:

Ay-fo O-ri?  O-ri bi
Ay-fo  tik-va-ti? Tik-va-ti bi
Ay-fo  ko-chi?  Ko-chi bi
V-gam bakh

Where is my light?  My light is in me.
Where is my home?  My hope is in me.
Where is my strength?  My strength is in me.
And in you . . .

The Liturgy of Humanistic Judaism: Prayer Without God

Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are a time for introspection and inspiration. Humanistic Judaism’s unique contribution to modern Judaism is that we “say what we believe and believe what we say.” In order to create philosophical integrity in our liturgy, we needed to create, adapt and find uplifting prose, poetry and music that speak to the heart as well as the mind. Rabbi Jerris will address the question of prayer without God. Is it possible or an oxymoron? She will discuss the sources of Humanistic Jewish liturgy and share some of the beauty of both traditional Judaism, modern literature, both from Jewish sources and non-Jewish sources, as well as liturgy that is unique to Humanistic Judaism.