Sherwin Wine

Sherwin Theodore Wine (January 25, 1928 – July 21, 2007) was an American rabbi and a pivotal figure in the establishment of Humanistic Judaism. Born in Detroit, Michigan, to immigrant parents from Poland, Wine's early religious upbringing was in Conservative Judaism. He pursued higher education at the University of Michigan, earning degrees in philosophy. Despite moving away from theism, he chose a path in the clergy, enrolling in the rabbinic program at Hebrew Union College. After serving in the U.S. Army as a chaplain, Wine returned to Detroit and eventually founded the Birmingham Temple in 1963. This congregation became the first of Humanistic Judaism, a movement that prioritizes Jewish culture, history, and ethical values over traditional theistic beliefs. Wine famously rejected the concept of God, defining his stance as 'ignosticism.' His work led to the founding of several key organizations, including the Society for Humanistic Judaism (1969), the International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism (1985), and The Humanist Institute (1982). He also co-founded Americans for Religious Liberty. Wine was recognized as Humanist of the Year in 2003. He died in a car accident in Morocco in 2007. Wine also supported Zionism, viewing it as a vital expression of Jewish peoplehood.