Secular Humanistic Judaism

We believe that Judaism is the magnificent creation of the Jewish people over time and in every land. Our Jewish heritage is a source of identity, pride and ethics. Jewish history teaches us much about rights and responsibilities, about human behavior, and about community. Jewish culture enriches and inspires us.

Our goal is to add to, enjoy and transmit our heritage. Jews have always been a diverse people and we believe that this diversity is a strength. The many movements in Jewish tradition provide comfortable homes for Jews of differing beliefs. We believe that a Jew is one who, regardless of birth, identifies with the history, culture, and future of the Jewish people. There have always been Jews who identified with Jewish history, culture and peoplehood. We have had various names throughout the ages, some accepting, some less complementary. In response to the Enlightenment, Secular Jews in Eastern Europe began to name themselves and to celebrate Jewish culture in nonreligious ways. In the late 1800's Secular Judaism emerged as a recognizable movement in Jewish life. It was joined in the 1960's by Humanistic Judaism, which has a more Western European flavor and outlook. The two movements together now form the International Federation of Secular Humanistic Jews, with Federations in North America, South America, Israel, Europe, Australia and the former Soviet Union. The International Federation sponsors the International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism, the teaching and research arm of the movement. The Leadership Conference of Secular Humanistic Jews ordains Leaders and Senior Leaders.