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Resources for Interfaith Families Interested in Secular Judaism

Secular Jews define Judaism as the history, culture, books, music, art, food, rituals and practices of the Jewish people. Secular Judaism, whether practiced through the reading of Jewish books, membership in a branch of Workmen's Circle or attendance at a Secular Humanistic congregation, is an appealing option for many interfaith families, both for those families that do not believe in God and those looking for a religious space that does not discuss theology. The following is a list of helpful resources and links for interfaith families exploring secular Judaism.

Helpful Documents for Interfaith Families Exploring Secular Judaism

Readings and Rituals for Jewish Life Cycle Events and Holidays - from the Center for Cultural Judaism
Descriptions of How Secular Humanism Sees Jewish Holidays - from the Society for Humanistic Judaism
History and Readings for Jewish Holidays - from the Congress of Secular Humanistic Organizations

Discussion Board

Spirituality

Find a Secular Jewish Organization or Congregation in Your Area

All secular Jewish organizations are very welcoming to interfaith and intercultural couples and families.

International Federation of Secular Humanistic Jews - Searchable index of secular Jewish organizations throughout the world. Similar to this list on the Center for Cultural Judaism's website.
Society for Humanistic Judaism - List of Humanistic Jewish congregations in the U.S. and Canada organized by region
Congress of Secular Jewish Organizations - List of secular Jewish organizations and schools in the U.S., Canada and England
Workmen's Circle - List of Workmen's Circle branches in the U.S.
Connections in Your Area - List of Humanistic Jewish congregations in the U.S. with calendar of events for interfaith families

Additional Resources on Secular Judaism

Websites

There are several major secular Jewish organizations:

Center for Cultural Judaism - New York City-based center that offers educational and outreach programs to secular Jews
Congress of Secular Jewish Organizations - Group of independent organizations that promote a secular expression of their members' Jewish heritage
International Federation of Secular Humanistic Jews - Umbrella organization of secular Jewish organizations around the world
Society for Humanistic Judaism - Central body for the Humanistic Jewish Movement in North America
Workmen's Circle - Jewish fraternal organization that emphasizes social justice and Yiddish culture

Visit our partner MyJewishLearning.com for more information on secular Judaism:

Books

Kogel, Renee and Katz, eds. Judaism in a Secular Age: An Anthology of Secular Humanistic Thought. Ktav Publishing House, 1995.
Levitan, Elsie. Haggadah for a Secular Celebration of Pesach. Sholom Aleichem Club, 1993.
Seid, Judith. God-Optional Judaism. Citadel, 2001.
Wine, Sherwin. Judaism Beyond God. Ktav Publishing House, 1995.

For an extensive list of books on secular Jewish topics, see the Center for Cultural Judaism's Bibliography.

If you know of other resources related to secular Judaism--or if you'd like to see additional resources on a particular aspect of secular Judaism--please email us at network@interfaithfamily.com and let us know what you'd like us to provide.

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