The City Congregation for Humanistic Judaism

a welcoming community of cultural, secular Jews and their families

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Talks and Articles by Rabbi Peter Schweitzer

Send Rabbi Schweitzer an email.

View Rabbi Peter's PASSOVER RAP on YOUTUBE.


Hear What Rabbi Peter Schweitzer Has To Say (on Youtube)
What is the place of Torah in Humanistic Judaism?

What is the Humanistic Jewish approach to the Memorial Service on Yom Kippur?
Do Humanistic Jews embrace or reject intermarriage?
What is The Future of Judaism?
How are we welcoming in Humanistic Judaism?

 
Rabbi Schweitzer's Approach to Secular Cultural Weddings
New Ways To Say "I Do"
(Jewish Currents, January-Febuary, 2008)

Rabbi Schweitzer explains that Humanistic rabbis do not require circumcision for welcoming a child into the Jewish people.
New York Magazine (Oct. 18, 2009)


Rabbi Schweitzer's OP-ED Article in the New York Times, October 13, 2008

People of the Button


Rabbi Schweitzer's Personal Journey
A Rabbi's Journey to Secular Humanistic Judaism (Shma, 2000)

Rabbi Schweitzer's Collection of Jewish-Americana
The Making of a Collection (NMAJH, 2007)

Installation Address
"On Becoming Rabbi of The City Congregation" (May 5, 2006)

Letters to the Editor
A welcoming statement on intermarriage. (Jewish Week, July 13, 2007)
Response to Intermarriage Seen Roiling Reform Ranks (June 15, 2007).
On marriage in Israel. (New York Times, March 16, 2008)
Response to How Do You Prove You're a Jew (March 2, 2008).

Memorial to September 11
Fifth Anniversary Memorial to the World Trade Center Tragedy (Rosh Hashanah 2006)

"A Modern Lamentation" (September 7, 2002)

Eilu v'Eilu Discussion, March 2008
Under the auspices of the Union for Reform Judaism
Can a person consider her or himself to be a good Jew and not believe in God?
Rabbi Schweitzer's Opening Statement
Rabbi Schweitzer's Second Statement
Rabbi Schweitzer's Responses to Questions
Rabbi Schweitzer's Closing Statement
 
High Holiday Talks

"Facing the Bad Things of Nature and Human Hands" (Rosh Hashanah 2011)
"Anthony Weiner and the Challenge of Confession" (Yom Kippur 2011)
"Reconciliation" (Rosh Hashanah 2010)
"Reputation Bankruptcy" (Yom Kippur 2010)

"Everyday Courage" (Rosh Hashanah 2009)
"Destiny and Dignity" Yom Kippur 2009)
"The Great Jewish Day of Personal Global Positioning"
(Rosh Hashanah 2008)
"Politics, Politicians, Yom Kippur and Ourselves" (Yom Kippur 20008)
"Thinking About My Own Mortality" (Yom Kippur Memorial 2008)
"Moving Forward" (Rosh Hashanah 2007)
"In Search of Serenity" (Yom Kippur 2007)
"A Eulogy for Rabbi Sherwin T. Wine" (Yom Kippur Memorial 2007)
"LIfe in a Falling Rock Zone" (Rosh Hashanah 2006)
"What does Pluto have to do with it?" (Yom Kippur 2006)

 
"New Jewish Rituals" column in Jewish Currents magazine

Secular Jews and Jewish Ritual (May-June 2007)
Secular High Holidays: Opportunities for Innovative Expression
(September-October 2007)
Secular Jewish Weddings: New Ways to Say "I Do"
(January-February 2008)
The Evolution of New Holidays (May-June 2008)

The Morris U. Schappes Centennial Lecture and Performance Series
Sponsored by Jewish Currents and The Workmen's Circle

"Varieties of Jewish Secularism" (December 19, 2007)

 
"Ask the Rabbi"

Rabbi Peter Schweitzer provides a Humanistic Jewish perspective in Moment Magazine's "Ask the Rabbi" column. Here is a selection of some of the responses.

Is there ever a time to tell a lie? (October 2005)
Should Jewish children be allowed to take part in Christmas caroling? (December 2005)
What does Judaism have to say about life after death? (February 2006)
What does Judaism have to say about organ donation? (April 2006)
How should we view unmarried pregnant women? (June 2006)
How should we seek forgiveness? (August 2006)
Should Jewish children Trick or Treat? (October 2006)
When, and how, should parents start discussing sex with their children? (December 2006)
What healing alternatives to modern medicine does Judaism offer? (February 2007)
Why are Jews called the Chosen People? (April 2007)
What does Judaism say about being a workaholic? (June 2007)
What does Judaism say about gossip? (January/February 2008)
How does Israel help Jews be Jews (May/June 2008)
Who cares what women wear (or don't wear?) (July/August 2008)
Does politics belong on the bima? (September/October 2008)
What is your favorite Jewish book? (November/December 2008)
Should the U.S. have a Chief Rabbi? (January/February 2009)
What ethical lessons can be learned from the Bernie Madoff scandal? (March/April 2009)
Are tattoos and body piercings taboo? (July/August 2009)
When does life begin? (September/October 2009)
What is a self-hating Jew? (November/December 2009)
What is a rabbi's role today? (January/February 2010)
What does Judaism teach about envy? (March/April 2010)
What does it mean to be Jewish today?  (May/June 2010)
Do Jews ask too many questions? (July/August 2010)
Who is your favorite Biblical character? (November/December 2010)
What new commandment should be added to the existing ten? (January/Febuary 2011)
What guidance would you give your child if he or she told you s/he was gay? (May/June 2011)
Do Jews believe in an afterlife? (July/August 2011)
What is the greatest sin for which the Jewish community should make atonement? (September/October 2011)
Are there fundamental human rights in Judaism? (November/December 2011)