Recently our community mourned the passing of Rabbi Sherwin Wine who died in a tragic car accident while vacationing in Morocco. Rabbi Wine was founder (in 1963) and leader of Humanistic Judaism, which began with the Birmingham Temple here in Metro Detroit. I express my condolences to Rabbi Wine's family and congregation on their loss. I have long respected his knowledge, especially his moving lectures (without notes) on Jewish history, and have appreciated his friendship as a colleague.

At the same time, thinking about Rabbi Wine reinforces my view that Judaism without God is empty. I am obviously not alone in this view. After 47 years of existence the number of affiliates with Humanistic Judaism is only about 1/2 of 1 percent of the Jewish population. Even if "finding God" can be a difficult challenge for many of us, it is also clear that "denying God's existence" is not the answer.

The biggest objection I have always had to humanists is that they fail to see how the existence of God improves humanity. Even those who believe that the primary goal in life is "to be a better person" are best served by being reminded daily of the existence of the Supreme Being. Since there is a God, I as a human become necessarily more humble. Human beings, by our very nature, are selfish and selfcentered. By acknowledging God's role as the Creator of the Universe, the Deliverer of Justice, and the Source of Mercy, I am humbled to learn that I am not the most important or necessary reason for life to exist.

On the other hand, by the very wondrous acts which He performs, God is our role model. It is therefore our responsibility to follow God's ways, by being creative people, adding to God's creation through our own God-given intelligence, and intent on carrying out true justice tempered by sincere compassion for the less fortunate. With God in my world, I am a more humble person, a person more responsible to the needs of the community, and therefore a better person.

A challenge from those who question God's existence is that they find it difficult to believe in a God they cannot see, and whose presence in their lives they do not recognize. To those people I urge them to look again. God's role in the wonder of Creation, from the human body to the ends of the Universe, is undeniable.

As to listening to a God who doesn't seem to speak directly to us, I suggest this analogy. Think about a loved one who had a great influence on your life, but who is no longer living. I bet you still "hear" his or her voice when you are in need of advice or support. You know "just what he/she would say at a time like this." This is a good way to understand God's role in our lives. Our relationship with God is solid, established by millennia of history, recorded by the words of the Torah and sacred texts. Just because God doesn't whisper into my car, or call me on my cell phone, doesn't mean I can't hear His voice. I know what God would tell me in most situations, and when I am unsure, I use a little more effort in seeking out His word. What I don't do, and cannot do, is give up on God. After all, God hasn't given up on me.