The City Congregation for Humanistic Judaism

a welcoming community of cultural, secular Jews and their families

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Presentations by Members

This I Believe

Based on NPR's long-running radio show, THIS I BELIEVE, an eclectic group of City Congregation members offered their own reflections and joined this international conversation.

Presentations that were shared at Shabbat, Nov. 20, 2009

Renee Fields
I Believe in Paying it Forward
Sam Maser If It Hurts, You’re Not Laughing Hard Enough
Shirley Ranz I Believe in Giving Back
Marty Shore I Believe in Cities
Alan Siege I Believe You Take What You're Given
Gillian Stauch I Believe in Children
Carol Sternhell I Believe We Weave Our Own Red Threads
Middy Streeter I Believe in Humor

Presentations that were shared at Shabbat, Nov. 19, 2010

Bruce Ettenberg
I Believe Angels Walk Among US

Laura Finfer I Believe Things Happen for a Reason

Amy Goldin I Believe Everything is a Test Tile
Jack Lechner I Believe in Lechner's Law
Louise Moed I Believe in Committed Intimate Partnership (available on request)
Anschel Schaffer-Cohen I Believe We Should Stop Rejoicing in Our Heritage



Rosh Hashanah 2011

The topic for our discussion this year was The 10th Anniversary of September 11. 

Introductory Remarks from Rabbi Schweitzer
Reflections from Kenneth Lewis

Yom Kippur 2011

The topic for our presentations this year was Purpose.

Introductory Remarks from Rabbi Schweitzer
Reflections from Trudy Elins
Reflections from Mark Wilson

Rosh Hashanah 2010

The topic for our discussion this year was Taking Responsibility.

Introductory remarks from Rabbi Schweitzer
Reflections from Sam Maser

Yom Kippur 2010

The topic for our presentations this year was Forgiveness.

Introductory remarks from Rabbi Schweitzer
Reflections from Carol Sternhell
Reflections from Dan Wyman (available on request)

Rosh Hashanah 2009

The topic for our discussion this year was Der Tsoren Iz In Hartsen A Doren: Anger Is Like A Thorn In The Heart.

Introductory remarks from Rabbi Schweitzer
Reflections from Ilana Gruebel

Yom Kippur 2009

The topic for our presentations this year was The Lord Is My Shepherd, I Shall Not Want…Or Not.

Introductory remarks from Rabbi Schweitzer
Reflections from Hy Gold
Reflections from Devera Witkin

Rosh Hashanah 2008

The topic for our discussion this year was The Hermeneutics of Suspicion: Seeking Out a Healthy Skepticism.

Introductory remarks from Rabbi Schweitzer
Reflections from Daniel Radosh
Reflections from Nancy Friedman

Yom Kippur 2008


The topic for our discussion this year was Memory and Remembering: Of the Jewish People and of Ourselves.

Introductory remarks from Rabbi Schweitzer
Reflections from Elyse Pivnick
Reflections from Richard Mann

Rosh Hashanah 2007

The topic for our discussion this year was Regrets, Do-overs, Looking Ahead.

Introductory remarks from Rabbi Schweitzer
Reflections from Stefni Bogard
Reflections from Gladys Foxe

Yom Kippur 2007

The theme for this year's presentations was SEARCHING FOR WISDOM: An Examination of the Book of Ecclesiastes.

Introductory remarks from Rabbi Schweitzer
Reflections from Deborah Freeman
Reflections from Robert Liebeskind

Our Kol Nidre service featured a special presentation in honor of Rabbi Sherwin Wine that was written by Rabbi Schweitzer. The readers were Linda Avila and Richard Mann and Rabbi Schweitzer.

IN HIS OWN WORDS: A Tribute to Rabbi Sherwin T. Wine.


Rosh Hashanah 2006

This year we marked the Fifth Anniversary Memorial to the World Trade Center Tragedy.

Following Rabbi Schweitzer's opening remarks, members shared their personal reflections.

Janice Eidus read her essay "Baby Lust," originally published in 110 Stories: New York Writes After September 11, edited by Ulrich Baer, New York University, 2002.

John Kastan shared his reflections about working at St. Vincent's hospital, known as the "Ground Zero" hospital.

Ken Lewis delivered remarks about his experience as the Project Manager for Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, the firm responsible for rebuilding 7 World Trade Center and the other buildings on the site.

Yom Kippur 2006

This year we addressed the theme of Tolerance and invited two members to share their thoughts on this subject.

Introductory remarks from Rabbi Schweitzer
Reflections from Howard Segan
Reflections from Cynthia Chalker