There are many roots and evolutionary forebears to Humanistic Judaism:

• The wisdom tradition in Jewish literature, exemplified by biblical books such as Proverbs and Job . . .
• The creative encounter of Jewish culture with skeptical and humanistic Hellenistic philosophy in Late Antiquity . . .
• The emphasis on human action and community mutual support in rabbinic Judaism . . .
• The experience of Jewish life through the Middle Ages as an urban and literate people who used their talents and intellect to survive . . .
• The rational philosophies of Baruch Spinoza and Enlightenment philosophers . . .
• Nineteenth-century movements of Jewish ethnic and political national identities, such as Yiddishism and Zionism . . .
• Secular Jewish schools, labor unions, political parties and social welfare organizations . . .
• Modern Humanistic philosophies of human power and responsibility . . .

Humanistic Judaism as a cultural Jewish identity celebrated through Humanistic philosophy in a Jewish congregational setting first appeared in 1964. The Birmingham Temple, founded in suburban Detroit by eight families and Rabbi Sherwin T. Wine, a Reform Rabbi with advanced graduate study in philosophy, was founded in the fall of 1963 and soon moved to a Humanistic Judaism through liturgical, philosophical and educational changes. The ensuing uproar, and also expressions of support, from across the Jewish world eventually led to a worldwide movement called Secular Humanistic Judaism. Read more about the growth of our movement.