Sherwin T. Wine was the founder of the Society for Humanistic Judaism. He died in 2007. He was an out gay man. Wine combined the philosophy of Humanism, an appreciation of Jewish culture, and congregational life to create a modern approach to Jewish identity. He championed the right to marry whoever you love regardless of gender or religious affiliation. Wine officiated interfaith weddings and he allowed non-Jewish people to join his congregation and the Humanistic Jewish movement. An inclusive, humanistic, spiritual community founded by a gay man is one more example of the innate spirituality, intellectual curiosity, creativity, and love of community that is found time and again in lesbian and gay lives. Rabbi Wine offered a religion where God was optional, but love, dignity, and compassion were the foundation of faith. May Sherwin T. Wine’s memory be for a blessing. Amen.
