Caring, Cohesive, Community for Cultural Jews

Secular Synagogue 

Featuring: Rabbi Denise Handlarski, Founder 

What is Secular Synagogue?

Secular Synagogue is a digital Judaism, online community, engaged and meaningful learning and practice. Their goal is two-directional: explore how Judaism can be an enriching force in your life and, in turn, make you a more kind, just, and effective force for good in the world. 

Who is Secular Synagogue for?

Jewish, Jew-ish, Intermarried, In-married, Unmarried, Secular, Cultural, Atheist, Agnostic, Seeker, Spiritual... YOU

If you are a cultural/secular Jew, someone who is becoming a Jew, partnered with a Jew, or otherwise Jewishly engaged,  and want to connect to Jewish wisdom, ideas and community, this is the place for you! Every day you will join people just like you in Jewish-inspired challenges and learning. This is an accessible, affordable, engaged, inclusive, meaningful, and contemporary approach to Jewish learning, practice, and community. Create and foster a deep and rich Jewish life — in 5 - 10 minutes a day. They are committed to meaningful inclusivity for Queer/Trans folks, BIPOC and other racialized members, and anyone who has felt excluded in Jewish spaces. Secular Synagogue is intersectional, intergenerational, and international. 

Mission

Secular Synagogue  aspires to  create meaningful, valuable, beautiful Jewish learning, experiences, and  community for secular/cultural Jews.  A Judaism that fosters  two-directional goodness: making your life richer/better and, in  turn, it will making you better so that more goodness can be created in the  world.

Vision Statement

Secular Synagogue’s vision is a Connected Community across distance, enabled virtually, that  provides those looking for meaningful cultural Jewish learning,  experiences, and community a space where they feel true belonging. 

Values

Secular Synagogue serve anyone who wishes to be part of their group including: 

• Jews who are secular/cultural/humanist/atheist/agnostic/questioning/skeptical
• Those connected to Jews via family, relationship, or ancestry
• Those exploring becoming Jewish, Jews-by-choice, new Jews, those on their own path/journey to Judaism

They do not believe in "bad Jews" or "bad Jew guilt"

They are pro-intermarriage/intercultural partnerships. There will never be  any questioning or guilt about "authenticity" for anyone at any time.

Social justice is part of our Jewish practice and expression.

They are kind, and foster goodness. Secular Synagogue turns the internet into a place of communal support and mutual love and respect. 

They are fun and funny. Sure, they tackle serious issues. But try not to take themselves too seriously.

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