International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism

The wisdom of our movement's founder, Rabbi Sherwin Wine, was captured not only in his writing but also in his voice. IISHJ has diligently compiled hundreds hours of audio into a definitive archive of his thoughts on myriad topics that range from religion to science to geopolitics, and even a number of movie reviews!

Browse the Soundcloud library here: https://tinyurl.com/mr4ybwtb

With summer music festivals announcing their latest lineups, it’s the perfect time to explore connections between Secular Humanistic Judaism and rock and roll history. The new issue of Humanistic Judaism magazine features articles on influential Jewish rock musicians, the relationship between Jewish identity and genres like heavy metal and punk rock, and the broader cultural impact of Jewish artists in modern music.

Follow the link for a preview of the new issue and learn how to subscribe: https://tinyurl.com/y5h9sjzy

Throughout history, relationships between Jews and non-Jews have included both tension and deep connection, ranging from antisemitism to intermarriage and intercommunity friendship. These complex dynamics were explored in depth at the 2003 IISHJ Colloquium, where speakers offered a wide range of perspectives on Jewish identity, coexistence, and cultural exchange.

The Colloquium also included the ordination of Rabbi Judith Seid and Rabbi Sivan Malkin Maas, marking significant moments in the development of Secular Humanistic Jewish leadership.

Watch the full Colloquium 2003 playlist here: https://tinyurl.com/4rdw4ew9

Shavuot may have passed, but learning is an ongoing and lifelong process! Our 2021 Shavuot video playlist—one of many you can find at the IISHJ YouTube channel—is a great place to begin your studies. These videos feature topics as diverse as water rights, inclusivity, and intermarriage, and the perspective that Secular Humanistic Judaism offers on each.

Watch these and others by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/2f2f63t7

"The major harvest of the Jewish people throughout the past two hundred years has not been wheat. It has been the written word."

Today is Shavuot, a Jewish holiday traditionally understood as commemorating the covenant between Moses and God at Mount Sinai. In Secular Humanistic Judaism, Shavuot is reinterpreted as a celebration of Jewish learning, literature, and the cultural importance of books.

To explore the origins of this perspective and how it reflects Humanistic Jewish values, read Rabbi Sherwin Wine’s 1995 essay here: https://tinyurl.com/4fkeyhp7

Secular Humanistic Judaism is committed to building an inclusive, multicultural global community—but expanding beyond North America and Israel brings unique challenges and opportunities. In this video interview, Cantor Jonathan Friedmann speaks with Rabbi Jeffrey Schesnol and Dr. Marcos Bazmandegan about the growth of Secular Humanistic Judaism in Portugal and what this development reveals about the movement’s potential in other regions around the world.

Watch the video here: https://tinyurl.com/258bczah

Our expanded Adult Learning pages provide in-depth educational resources on key topics relevant to secular, cultural, and Humanistic Jews. Each page features a curated collection of articles, books, and video playlists designed to help individuals and communities explore Secular Humanistic Judaism in greater depth.

This month we're directing interested scholars to widen their lens and explore the many facets of our movement, from its origins in the teachings of Rabbi Sherwin Wine to its international growth.

Learn more here: https://tinyurl.com/mr2bm59v

Join us this month in celebrating Jewish Americans and their contributions to the United States. By learning about the diverse achievements of Jews across many fields—culture, science, politics, education, and the arts—we can foster greater understanding and help counter antisemitism and intolerance.

Explore educational resources and learn more here: https://tinyurl.com/3ju8zdcy

"One mother achieves more than a hundred teachers.”
—Jewish proverb

From all of us at IISHJ, a very happy and restful Mother's Day this weekend to all who have taken on the challenging responsibilities of raising children!

This week’s Torah portion is Emor (Leviticus 21:1–24:23), which outlines ritual practices and expectations for early Jewish religious leaders—many of which no longer align with modern Jewish values. Yet even these ancient laws offer insight into the historical development of Jewish culture and tradition.

In this video, Rabbi Adam Chalom explores how Emor helps us better understand our ancestors, the evolution of Jewish life, and how Secular Humanistic Jews can interpret these texts in a contemporary context.

Watch the video here: http://bit.ly/48F2xJb