Lou Altman Receives 2012 Sherwin T. Wine Lifetime Achievement Award

The Society for Humanistic Judaism (SHJ) presented the 2012 Sherwin T. Wine Lifetime Achievement Award to Louis Altman of Bradenton, FL, and Northbrook, IL, immediate past president of the SHJ and member of the board of the Congregation for Humanistic Judaism, Sarasota, FL.

Lou Altman has been a committed member of the SHJ for more than 30 years and has served as president for the past six years. "Lou has never met a humanist organization he wouldn't join," quipped SHJ Executive Director Bonnie Cousens who, in addition to their relationship through the Society, has served with him on the Board of Directors of the Secular Coalition for America. She continued, "The Society and Humanistic Judaism can always count on his support." Rabbi Miriam Jerris, in presenting the award, asserted, "Lou's clear rational thinking, coupled with his quiet caring and compassion, generosity and conscious ethical behavior has made him a role model worthy of significant emulation."

Altman, in receiving the award said, "I am very pleased to be honored by my friends in the Society, but also a little embarrassed by all the attention. I only did what seemed called for in order to promote Humanistic Judaism, and I know that many others have done likewise and will continue to do so."

The award, established by SHJ past president and Kol Hadash, California, member Bert Steinberg in 2003 in honor of Wine's 75th birthday, represents Steinberg's heartfelt gratitude at finding a Humanistic Jewish community that reflected his lifelong philosophy and unfulfilled need.　When the award was first established in his name Wine said, "I feel very honored that it not only is connected to what is most meaningful in my life, but it is an award recognizing other people's work."

Recipients of the award are individuals who have "over the years exemplified extraordinary dedication, devotion, adherence to and activity in the Secular Humanistic Judaism Movement and the philosophical doctrines enunciated by the Movement's founder, Rabbi Sherwin T. Wine."