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Hi!

I'm Diane, the spiritual leader of the SM-JHC. 

So, there was a day... or actually many days... when I decided I needed to say what I mean and mean what I say.  You see, I was leading what was already an extremely progressive, non-traditional community, but after describing, teaching, and interpreting in what was very much a highly humanistic spirit, I would speak or chant the Hebrew of the siddur as they are in most Reform or Reconstructionist prayer books.  I was studying Rabbinics at a seminary to deepen my knowledge when I started to feel myself emotionally and intellectually pull away from those texts.  I realized that I no longer could relate to the idea of an intervening God, and that nearly every word we utter in most synagogues is just that.  As I continued to lead services, I started to feel that I could no longer speak the traditional words authentically.  It was a two year process to make the decision to redefine myself as a Humanistic Jew and as a Jewish leader within the Humanistic movement.

Want to know more about me?  Read below. 

 

Want to know more about Humanistic Judaism and our Chavurah? Scroll down to the next section.

I have been a music educator, choral conductor, Cantor, alternative Rabbi and now (soon to be ordained as) a Rabbi within the Humanistic movement.  I am still a choral musician and conductor... more on that later.  I have taught music in middle school and high school, conducted two community choirs, was the cantor at Beth Shir Shalom and was the founder and leader of Cool Shul.  When I'm not "rabbi-ing," I am singing, conducting, or leading music for healing in a variety of settings. 

I have a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from NYU, a master's degree in Choral Conducting from CSULA, and a second master's degree in Jewish Studies from AJRCA.  I was privately ordained as a Cantor, and ordained as a Rabbi at JSLI.  I am pursuing a second Rabbinic ordination from IISHJ.

I live in Santa Monica with two musicians (my husband and my teenager!), and I have a kid who is grown and flown and teaches high school history in a Quaker School.

 

Want to know what Humanistic Judaism is all about?  Read more below, or just email me and we can talk allllllllllll about it.

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All About Us

Who is Welcome?

Well, you are! 

You are welcome if you are gay, if you are straight, if you identify as a he, she, they or any other gender.  You are welcome if you are Jewish, next to someone Jewish, or simply Jewishly curious.  You are welcome if you are culturally Jewish, agnostic, atheist, spiritual but not religious, unsure, or simply willing to experiment with finding connection within a Humanistic context (which can be actually quite "spiritual").



What is a Jewish Humanistic Community?

As humanists, we choose to express our Jewish identities and values as well as connect deeply to ourselves, others, and the world by practicing meditation, doing community service, and connecting to Jewish culture, texts, history, and ritual - all through a secular lens.  Such a practice is soothing, centering, and even can be called "spiritual," but it is free of language about God.  Instead we demonstrate gratitude and love through celebrations of humanity's potential, the natural world, and how the two can intertwine in creative and sustainable ways to improve our world.  There is no set liturgy, so this expression constantly evolves and is an opportunity for endless creativity.

To learn more go to: https://shj.org/



What is a Chavurah?

A chavurah is a group that gathers together for a common interest.  A chavurah differs from a synagogue in that we will not have formal membership or membership dues, and we will meet primarily in homes and backyards, parks and bungalows, rather than in sanctuaries. 
 
We are also a group that will focus on music as a communal expression. Our gatherings will be filled with singing, instruments, and chanting.


When and Where Will You Meet?

The SM-JHC will gather monthly on the westside of Los Angeles in private homes and rental spaces to celebrate Shabbat, holidays and holy days, and to meditate, study, sing, learn and grow together.

Our first official gathering will be summer Shabbat morning song circles followed by FREE High Holy Day services at the Church in Ocean Park in Santa Monica.  The dates for the High Holy Days are:

Rosh Hashanah Morning with shofar blowing (Oct. 3)
Kol Nidre (erev Yom Kippur) with chanting of Kol Nidre (Oct.11)
Yom Kippur Day as a morning of meditation with singing bowls, song circle, and connecting with nature (note this will not be a formal service). (Oct. 12)

More info and registration coming soon.  

 

Contact

Don't hesitate to reach out with questions or to chat!

310-795-9438

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