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Cool Shul is saying goodbye on
July 1, 2024.  

Dear Cool Shul Family,

I cannot begin to tell you how much I appreciate each and every one of you who has chosen to spend time with Cool Shul over the past nine years.  It has been an honor to pray, study, sing, laugh and cry with you.  I have to share, however, that for personal reasons, I have decided it is time for me to step away from Cool Shul to pursue another avenue. The Board of Directors has voted that Cool Shul should, therefore, close at the end of this academic year - July 1.  Cool Shul will continue with all of our activities such as song circles and cookbook club until then, and we hope you will join us for this time together.  

As sad as it is to say goodbye to Cool Shul, new adventures often emerge after loss, and that is true here as well. I will be working toward being formally recognized as a Jewish Humanistic Rabbi and will host a small, Humanistic, co-op style group (called a chavurah) for Holy Days, Shabbat evenings, and holidays.  What is Humanistic Judaism?  The quick answer is that it is a large movement of people whose Jewish practice focuses on awe of human potential and the natural world rather than God.  If you are curious to experience this, we will be having a Humanistic Shabbat both in-person and online for you on Friday, March 22.  There I will talk about my decision to become a Humanistic Rabbi and be able to answer questions. I will also host a Humanistic Pre-Passover Seder online Saturday, April 20 at 4pm. 

As a spiritual leader, it is my job to counsel you to find a path that is authentic for you, not to try to “keep you” for myself.  I realize that for many of you, a Humanistic journey is not going to be comfortable for your Jewish expression, and I deeply support whatever and wherever you choose for your Jewish future.  However, if you would like to be on the email list for this new (and not yet named!) Humanistic Co-op Chavurah, reply to this email, and I will be honored to have you as a part of its creation.

I would not have spent the last nine years any other way than with each and every one of you.  Thank you for inviting me into your homes and your lives, for entrusting your childrens’ studies to me and for calling upon me in times of joy and sorrow.  Cool Shul will forever be in my heart.

To learn more about Humanistic Judaism, go to: https://shj.org/meaning-learning/what-is-humanistic-judaism/  

With gratitude,
Diane

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