In Memoriam: Rabbi Sherwin T. Wine 1928-2007
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the death of one of the greatest Humanist leaders of the 20th Century: Sherwin T. Wine, the 2003 American Humanist of the Year. Rabbi Wine and his longtime partner, Richard McMains, were vactioning in Morocco. Returning from dinner Saturday evening in Essaouira, their taxicab was hit by another driver. Both Rabbi Wine and the taxi driver were killed instantly. Richard survived the collision and currently is hospitalized in stable condition.
For a press release with more detailed information, including regarding the memorial service currently being planned, click here: press-rel-7-22-07-rabbi-wine-killed.doc or visit the Society for Humanistic Judaism. To hear Rabbi Wine speak on Humanistic Judaism, click here for an interview recorded at Harvard in April 2007.
UPDATE: Sherwin Wine did another interview during the weekend of the Harvard Humanist conference, on a nationally syndicated radio program called the Todd Feinburg. On that program, Wine was asked how Humanists deal with tragedies such as the Virginia Tech shootings, which happened shortly before the conference. Wine’s response was not only compelling and challenging, it has also been inspiring to those grieving his loss today. To listen, click here. Wine’s initial contribution to the program in its first hour also generated an additional two hours of passionate on-air discussion after he had hung up. You can also listen to hour two and three.
VIDEO UPDATE: Below, in six parts, is the exclusive video of Wine’s stirring presentation at Harvard University on April 21 2007, as part of The New Humanism, a conference in honor of the 30th anniversary of the Humanist Chaplaincy at Harvard.
Myrna Baron’s introduction of Rabbi Wine:
Sherwin Wine Congratulates Salman Rushdie and Discusses the Humanist Alternative to Worship:
Framing the question:
Sherwin Wine tells his story:
Explaining the principles of Humanistic Judaism:
Cultural Humanism: Balancing Continuity and Integrity:
