To spot Machar, look for a striking blue sign ahead of you featuring a large white triangle, a flame on top, and the word "Machar" boldly written in English and Hebrew.
Now, take a deep breath and imagine you’re standing at the crossroads of tradition and tomorrow-because that’s exactly what Machar means: “Tomorrow”! Picture the time: it’s 1977, and two dreamers, Jules Abrams and Mary Perica, fresh from Detroit’s Birmingham Temple, wanted to create a Jewish community that felt as welcoming as a warm loaf of challah straight from the oven. With Rabbi Sherwin Wine’s inspiration, they called a gathering on a chilly December evening. There, beneath a flicker of overhead lights and a buzz of nervous energy, the spark of Humanistic Judaism was kindled in Washington, D.C.
But don’t expect an ordinary congregation. Machar, affiliated with the Society for Humanistic Judaism, celebrates the richness of Jewish culture, music, laughter, and learning-without a focus on theistic beliefs. It’s the kind of place where you’ll find a Jewish Cultural School filled with the cheerful chatter of kids, adults sharing big debates over coffee, and families of every stripe: all backgrounds, all ages, interfaith couples, and everyone in between. The philosophy is simple-love, acceptance, and lots of curiosity about tomorrow. Weddings here honor love above all, and you might catch a debate about Darwin Day right after a Shabbat celebration... now that’s variety!
Machar embraces everyone willing to dive into Jewish memory, culture, and the promise of the future. With its roots stretching back over 35 years, and celebrations of everything from Hanukkah to Passover to even a little evolutionary science, this congregation proves you can honor old stories while dreaming forward. And here’s a riddle for you as you move on: what’s more powerful than tradition? The courage to shape tomorrow, together.
