Kahal Chaverim, the NJ Congregation for Humanistic Judaism, is a vibrant & inclusive community that celebrates secular humanistic Jewish culture and values in Northern New Jersey. Kahal Chaverim is a growing and vibrant community that brings together families from all around Morris, Essex, and neighboring counties to celebrate secular humanistic Jewish culture and values. We link our values with o
ur actions in social action activities, adult education programs, beautiful holiday services, friendly Shabbat and Havdalah gatherings, and over the years have educated many children in our Sunday School and B’nai Mitzvah program. We welcome young families, interfaith families, LGBTQIA+ folks, empty-nesters, and singles. We hold services for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, have a tradition of apple-picking and a service on Sukkot, hold a Passover Seder, and often throw parties for Purim and Hanukkah. Shabbat and Havdalah services followed by pot-luck desserts, are held once a month at members' homes. Kahal Chaverim provides members with a sense of community and all of the services that are provided by congregational life, but in a manner consistent with a non-theistically-centered belief system. Humanistic Judaism also seeks to unite Jews by their shared culture and inspires a moral life outside faith. SOME HISTORY:
Rabbi Sherwin T. Wine founded the Humanistic Judaism movement and its first congregation in 1963. This movement of secular and non-theistic Jews asserts that cultural expressions of Judaism, without prayer per se, are a viable approach to modern Jewish identity. Humanistic Jews emphasize Jewish culture and history rather than focusing on a supernatural being. The movement hopes to attract nonreligious Jews who do not feel that their needs/beliefs could be met by other Jewish organizations. Kahal Chaverim, originally The Congregation for Humanistic Judaism of Morris County, was founded in 1999 by three families who were looking for a congregation where they could celebrate their Jewishness with an emphasis on culture and consistent with the way they led their everyday lives.
