New offerings and highlights from the Society for Humanistic Judaism's programming, including our energized social justice initiative Jews for a Secular Democracy, a great review of our recently published liturgy book, new video uploads, a rabbi's book tour, and much more!

Leading With Our Values - To Get Religion Out Of Government!

SHJ was able to engage part-time support to expand our Jews for a Secular Democracy  initiative, advocating for the separation of church and state from a Jewish perspective. Community Organizer Lincoln Dow and Program Coordinator Sarah Levin of Secular Strategies are now part of the team thanks to a generous anonymous grant. 

Follow their activities by signing up here for the twice-monthly Jews for a Secular Democracy e-newsletter, and liking the JFASD page on Facebook.
 

If you are interested in volunteering as an activist in this cause, please review the volunteer leader description here and be in touch!


Fighting 'Project Blitz' -
In what may be the first mention of it in Jewish communal media, SHJ executive director Paul Golin published an op-ed in the Times of Israel warning of Project Blitz . He wrote:

"Blitz" is never a good word for the Jews. In this case, it is a well-funded, years-long effort to overwhelm state legislatures with model bills and proclamations, laying the legal foundation for a right-wing Christian theocracy in the United States....

Read " It's 5780! But wait, we don't really think that" here.

Building Bridges to Allies -
Reflecting our increased social justice activism, SHJ recently applied for and was accepted onto the Jewish Social Justice Roundtable, a network of 64 organizations that " strengthens and aligns the Jewish social justice field in order to make justice a core expression of Jewish life and help create an equitable world." You can see the full list of organizations partnered in this effort here. And we continue to serve as a founding member of the Secular Coalition for America, which is now up to 20 partner organizations. The photo below is from SCA's 2019 Secular Lobby Day, with SHJ's executive director Paul Golin third from right.

(L. to r.) Roy Speckhardt, executive director of American Humanist Association; Nick Fish, president of American Atheists; Congressman Jared Huffman (CA), co-founder of the Congressional Freethought Caucus; Mandisa Thomas, founder and president of Black Nonbelievers; Paul Golin of SHJ; Debbie Allen, executive director of the Secular Coalition for America; and Robyn Blumner, president and CEO of Center for Inquiry. (photo: Greg Dohler)
Positive Review for Here is Our Light
Rabbi Ariann Weitzman, Associate Rabbi and Director of Congregational Learning at Bnai Keshet Reconstructionist Synagogue in Montclair, NJ, wrote a nice review in Jewschool of the liturgy book SHJ recently published, which was edited by Rabbi Miriam Jerris and Sheila Malcolm. She wrote:

"There are also some gems among the original liturgy written for Shabbat and holidays. All of the blessings for children and poems written for Shabbat, including the reinterpretation of Psalm 104, are beautiful, and feel like true liturgical offerings, and some may even find a place at my own Shabbat table.

"...This book would be particularly suited for secular Jews looking for more sustenance around life cycle events and Jewish holiday celebrations, and for those Jews who find themselves ambivalent about or who reject God language in most forms of Jewish prayer. It would also bring meaning to many inter-religious household practices."

Here is Our Light is available for purchase online.
Hours of Meaningful Humanistic Judaism Video Learning Now Online
The final set of professionally-produced videos from April's SHJ@50 Anniversary Celebration and Summit is now available on the SHJ YouTube Channel. In addition to those previously announced, we've recently added:

Rabbi Adam Chalom on "Historic Roots of Humanistic Judaism: Exploring Our Intellectual 'Family Tree'"

Sarah Levin on " A Guide to Grassroots Organizing for Secular Political Power"

Rabbi Jodi Kornfeld on " Jewish Art: A Window into Jewish Life Across Time and Place"

And much more!
Author Tour for New Book On Intermarriage from a Humanistic Judaism Rabbi

Mazel tov to Rabbi Denise Handlarski on the publication of her new book, "The A-Z of Intermarriage," which you can order here.


SHJ is cosponsoring Rabbi Handlarski's book talks in a number of our affiliated communities, including in Portland OR, Tucson AZ, and New York NY. If you live in those communities, contact your local congregation to learn more!

And to watch a fantastic interview with Rabbi Handlarski about her book on a Canadian TV program, click here! You will see why she is such a great spokesperson for our values and movement. 
Last Chance To Register for the Upcoming HuJews Conclave!

The HuJews Conclave brings together teens in grades 8-12 and college students from across the United States and Canada for a weekend of fun, service, insight, and discovery. Conclave empowers young Humanistic Jews to connect with their peers and engage in thought-provoking discussions, fun-filled workshops, rewarding community service activity, and much more.

This year, Conclave will take place in Suburban Detroit from March 27-29, 2020. If you are or know a young adult who might be interested in attending, registration closes in a week! PLEASE REGISTER NOW!


Voices of Secular Jewish Youth: Please Participate in a Jewish Engagement Study


Libby Otto, chair of SHJ's Youth Leadership Council, has undertaken a study of Jewish youth. She writes:

Libby Otto (left) with her mother Judi Gladstone at SHJ's 50th Anniversary Weekend.

"Do you or someone you know identify as Jewish and participate in Secular or Jewish Youth Organizations? I am looking for Secular Jewish youth ages 14-19 to participate in a brief online survey for my sociology research at Bryn Mawr College. My study will explore whether secular youth have similar needs and expectations from the programs they participate in as other Jewish youth, and whether these needs are being met by the organizations. If you or someone you know identify as Jewish, participate in religious or secular youth organizations, and would be interested in participating in this project, please follow or share the link to begin sharing your experiences!"

If you meet the criteria, click here to participate in the study.
 
THANK YOU for your ongoing involvement and interest in Humanistic Judaism!

-- The Staff and Board of SHJ
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