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What does Judaism from a humanistic perspective mean to you?
Both OurJewishCommunity.org and Congregation Beth Adam view Judaism from a humanistic perspective. What does that mean to you? How does it inform how you view the world, religion, or yourself? What does it inspire in you – or not?
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11 Responses to “What does Judaism from a humanistic perspective mean to you?”
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November 3rd, 2008 at 11:30 am
as stated by a visitor to our humanistic high holy day services in Boca Raton, Florida:
“I just wanted to tell you how much this past week’s high holy days services meant to me. I have been going to various temple services in my 42 years and have always felt at best bored, and at worst like a complete hypocrite. My children are going to a terrific private school, but I know they are being taught a certain perspective that doesn’t match my beliefs. I did not want to send them to a Hebrew school that also did not teach what I consider a reasonable world view. Finding this humanistic congregation this year was such a breath of fresh air. When I read responsively in the services, I actaully believed what I was saying. I was proud to do it and happy to explain it to my
children. The desire for expressing ones’s pride in our history and culture and carrying on our beautiful traditions is wide spread. Giving thoughtful people the alternative to traditional temples with the inherent superstition and faith-based suspension of disbelief is a tremendous offering. I’m excited at the prospect of growing the congregation and adding new families.”
I believe that thoughtful thank you letter explains the epiphany each felt when we found humanism.
Mike Liss in sunny Fla.
November 3rd, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Humanistic Judaism is where I am most comfortable as someone who appreciates Jewish culture, Jewish family history, and traditional Jewish holiday celebrations, all in the context of emphasizing personal responsibility as primarily more important than faith or ritual or blind complacency.
November 6th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
My membership at Beth Adam, means I have found a place where I can be comfortable with my beliefs, lack of beliefs, questions and uncertainties. Where I will not be judged for doing what works for me and my family – even if it’s different. Where I am constantly challenged to think for myself, think critically, think honestly. Where I learn something from virtually every interaction. Where I can give back and make a difference. Judaism with a Humanistic perspective means I can be me.
November 6th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
I found myself increasingly uncomfortable with the liturgy offered in the Reform movement. While I wanted to celebrate my Judaism, I didn’t want to say things I just didn’t believe. Luckily, I found Beth Adam, a congregation that was developing its own voice by creating liturgy that was meaningful to me and my husband. Together, we are building a wider community of people who can ‘walk the walk and talk the talk’ as humanistic Jews committed to tikum olam (repairing the world) together.
November 10th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
Judaism from a Humanistic perspective means to me a form of Judaisim that has a contemporary feel and a manner to grow into the future. I have found that it uses the Old Testament to stay connected to Judaism, but does not consider it the word of God; instead as a way to understand the human condition.
One dynamic that I think is rather unique to Congregatio Beth Adam, is the development of its own liturgy. I am not certain if this is considered “normal” for other congregations that practice Judaism with a Humanistic perspective and I would like to find out what other congregations have done.
November 23rd, 2008 at 12:48 am
For too many years I wondered in the desert. I wanted to participate in the Jewish traditions and be a member of the Jewish community. I didn’t want to pretend that I believed in a supernatural deity. I think Judaism is Humanistic. It’s just that most forms of Jewish practice are Humanistic + Supernatural deity. At Beth Adam I never have to say things I don’t believe. I don’t have to pretend to believe what people believed in the 12th century. That is what the members of Beth Adam give up. We keep everything else that is great about being Jewish and give up having to say we believe things Rashi believed. I knew Jewish education was valuable. I knew Jewish thinking and philosophy was a deep well of wisdom. I didn’t know, until I went to Beth Adam, that Jewish religious practice and services could also be meaningful and valuable.
November 24th, 2008 at 2:27 am
To me, a Humanistic way of practicing our Judaism challenges us to live in the NOW and live from the godliness within ourselves, to nuture that and let it blossom.
We need to be connected to how our ancestors viewed life, God, etc, and learn from that, but, as Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan said: the past has a voice, but no vote. How right he was.
Course, I am one of those rare liberal Jews who always wears a kippah–not out of commandedness–it was never a mitzvah–but as a reminder to live a meaningful life, rooted in deep values. It connects me to our past; I don’t have anything against those who choose not to do so, but I love wearing them. For me, too, it is pride in being Jewish and in no way diminishes my humanism.
January 19th, 2009 at 7:25 am
Humanistic Judaism means a lot to me but not for me, if that makes any sense. At one point, not long ago, I had thought that I would find a home with Humanistic Jews but the more I read and congregated and discussed the more I came to realize my inner theist. Further, I found a compelling, congenial spirituality outside of Judaism (and Western religion) entirely.
Why Humanistic Judaism matters to me, and why I come to this site, is that I do truly believe that HJ is Judaism with a vision, rather than Judaism with hindsight.
I have pointed friends and family to this site and hopefully they’ll find themselves engaged. Even if not, I am engaged and hope Humanistic Judaism prospers in service to the post-amen crowd.
March 19th, 2009 at 2:40 am
I do have to wonder if antisemitism is enough of a reason to keep Jews conscious of our identity and the need to maintain it in the face of the mindless passion that seeks to destroy it?
Recently, researching my grandparents’ origins in Odessa and Bessarabia, I was overwhelmed, brought to the point of inexpressible anger, at the Odessa Massacres in 1941 where some thousands of Jews were soaked with gasoline and set fire to in the city squares. If that doesn’t remind you of your humanism and your Judaism, what does?
March 26th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Although I don’t identify as a humanist Jew, I’m very curious about the humanistic perspective simple because I respect people who question the idea of God, yet still desire to be Jewish as I do.
I think I’m very close to humanists as an agnostic, a nontheist and religious naturalist yet still hold a notion of divinity as sort of a metaphor of interconnected whole of all beings.
August 13th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
Rereading what I wrote on January 19, comparing it to what I feel 7 months later, I’m amazed and not a little amused at the difference.
“Judaism from a humanistic perspective” requires more than one listening. One Shabbat service, one brochure for prospective members, will not uncover what Humanistic Judaism means, what directions it pursues, and whom it serves.
As Woody Allen used to say in his stand-up routines: “Stay with this, it’s brilliant!”