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Machar, The Washington D.C. Congregation for Secular Humanistic Judaism

Machar is a member-driven community which thrives on diversity. Our congregation was founded in 1977. We have a part-time rabbi. Our member families often come from different cultures, countries, religious belief systems and sexual orientations. We are an affiliate of the Society for Humanistic Judaism and offer a secular alternative for cultural Jews and interfaith and mixed-heritage families.

Through Machar, we not only teach mutual respect and appreciation,we learn it in new ways, each day. Our community works through our many committees, our frequent Adult Education lectures/discussions with national and international experts, and through many community service activities. We also interact through self-enrichment groups, such as a Book Club, a religious texts study group, and more, in which members may participate.

Our Jewish Cultural School teaches children from tot play dates, then kindergarten through Bar/Bat Mitzvah, then our Teen Group.

We welcome people to try all our activities before committing to membership, and accommodate those who cannot afford annual dues and tuition.

We are respected participants in the Greater Jewish Community. We represent ourselves on community boards, and engage in continuous dialogue, and interchange of ideas, members, and resources in a mutual effort to ultimately make us all stronger.

Programs We Offer to Open Our Tent

  • Interfaith Couples Group/Counseling/Events > "December Dilemma" Discussions
  • Adult Education
  • Financial Needs/Incentives (offered without requiring newcomers to ask first)
  • Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender (GLBT)
  • Interfaith Couples Group/Counseling/Events
  • Introduction to Judaism/"Derekh Torah"
  • Multiracial and Jews of Color
  • Financial Needs/Incentives (offered without requiring newcomers to ask first) > Publicly-Advertised High Holiday Discounts
  • Financial Needs/Incentives (offered without requiring newcomers to ask first) > Publicly-Advertised Membership Discounts
  • Single Parents
  • Young Adults
  • Sunday school for children teaching secular humanistic Judaism

Affiliation

Society of Humanistic Judaism 		Machar, The Washington D.C. Congregation for Secular Humanistic Judaism

  • P.O. Box 42014
    Washington, DC 20015
  • 202-686-1881 phone
  • www.machar.org
Contact Person
Kelly Hand, Congregational Administrator
kelly@machar.org