The Movement of Secular Humanistic Judaism

The creation of the first Humanistic congregation in suburban Detroit in the early 1960s was the first step in the creation of the global movement of Secular Humanistic Judaism. As news spread, interested individuals, organizations and rabbis began contacting the Birmingham Temple to learn more or to encourage them to continue. Some were looking to create Humanistic congregations of their own, while others were Secular Jewish schools and communities who recognized a shared message.

Out of these early contacts, several organizations were born.

In 1967, the first meeting of the Association of Humanistic Rabbis took place in suburban Detroit. The purpose of the AHR is to support efforts that foster these values and to develop the on-going learning, fellowship and welfare of its members. Today the Association of Humanistic Rabbis has 15 members across North America, welcoming seminary-ordained rabbis as well as students of the International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism’s rabbinic program, which began in 1992.
In 1969, the Society for Humanistic Judaism (SHJ) was founded in suburban Chicago by congregations in Michigan, Illinois, and Connecticut. The SHJ organizes and supports individuals and communities in celebrating Jewish identity and culture consistent with a humanistic philosophy of life, as well as providing a worldwide voice for its members. Today the SHJ includes 30 congregations and communities in North America.
In 1982, the Leadership Conference of Secular and Humanistic Jews was established to facilitate communication and cooperation among leaders in Secular and Humanistic Jewish organizations, as well as to certify and establish ethical standards and professional guidelines for leaders in the movement. New leaders/madrikhim-ot/vegvayzers and educators are trained and certified by the International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism
In 1985, the International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism (IISHJ) was founded in Jerusalem as the intellectual and educational arm of the movement. Its two primary purposes are to commission and publish materials for the movement and to train rabbis, leaders, teachers, educators and spokespersons. The Institute office is located at the Pivnick Center for Humanistic Judaism in Farmington Hills, Michigan, and it offers seminars and training programs in North America and Israel. Since 2004, the Israeli branch of the International Institute has been Tmura: The Institute for Training Secular Humanistic Rabbis and Jewish Leadership in Israel.
In 1986, the International Federation of Secular Humanistic Jews (IFSHJ) was established to connect Secular and Humanistic Jewish communities and community organizations around the world. North American affiliates of the IFSHJ are the Congress of Secular Jewish Organizations, the Society for Humanistic Judaism, and the Workmen’s Circle/Arbeter Ring.
In 2007, the Society for Humansitic Judaism launched, HuJews, the teen and young adult division of the SHJ. HuJews is run by Rabbi Chalom's wife, AJ. Activities include a yearly Teen and College Conclave, programming for college students and college campus student groups, sponsoring a free ten-day trip to Israel through Taglit-Birthright Israel and more.

Today there are Secular and Humanistic Jewish communities, as well as trained and certified leaders and rabbis, in most major metropolitan areas in North America. There are also thousands of people who have been raised in these communities, baby-named or bar mitzvahed or married by these leaders and rabbis, and influenced by the celebrations, educational programs, and public presence of this movement. We have begun our second generation, and we are attracting new people every day who are inspired by our message of personal Humanistic integrity, a cultural Jewish identity, and harmony between the two. Kol Hadash Humanistic Congregation is an integral part of this network dedicated to these ideals.