Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #humanisticjudaism, aggregated by home.social.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1u_1ZZ5cnaE
Here is the recording of our #SpinozaHavurah Sept. 21st #YomKippur discussion/study session which focused on the #UnetannehTokef
#Mazeldon #Judaism #HumanisticJudaism #LeonardCohen #WhoByFire #Liturgy #JewishLiturgy v
Come join the #SpinozaHavurah for a time of study and discussion on Yom Kippur facilitated by James M. Branum. We will be looking together at the Unetanneh Tokef, an evocative and troubling text of the traditional liturgy, which sparked the famous song "Who by fire" by Leonard Cohen.
The session will happen at 1:30 pm Eastern/6:30 pm UK.on Monday, September 21st.
To register: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/XaHJk5x5Qe2cjxCGgSS5KQ
#Mazeldon #Judaism #YomKippur #UnetannehTokef #Liturgy #HumanisticJudaism #JewishLiturgy #Jewish
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NWFxjynXds
Here's my annual #Shofar video for the #Jewish month of #Elul, this year with a theme of #Antifacism.
Very happy to share the first issue of my new monthly newsletter for friends and supporters
This issue includes:
- My writing in the month of June on a variety of topcs (my 50th birthday, LGBTQ inclusion, Torah study, AI in the practice of law, and my complicated feelings about #USA250)
- Some pictures from the month of June
https://jmbzine.com/PDF/JMBzine-newsletter-202607.pdf
#MilitaryLaw #LGBTQ #Torah #HumanisticJudaism #Mennonite #USA250
Here is something I wrote back in 2014 . . . my conversion essay for the SHJ's Adoption into Judaism program.
https://humanistictorah.org/2026/06/30/going-back-to-2014-my-jewish-conversion-essay/
Sharing episode #6 of the HumanisticTorah.org podcast
In this episode, I unpack Parshah Chukat (more specifically, Numbers 19:1-13) and consider how the ancient uses of the red heifer ash water ritual were both in the context of healing from trauma (encountering corpses and returning from war), and how we might want to craft our own rituals today to meet these same needs.
#HumanisticJudaism #Parshah #Chukat #PTSD #Trauma #Judaism #Mazeldon
https://humanistictorah.org/2026/06/18/humanistictorah-episode-6-parshah-chukat/
You are invited to the Shalom V'Tzedek
Anti-Fascist Book Discussion Group
The group happens every 1st Wednesday of the month at 3 pm Central time via Zoom.
Our current book for discussion: "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century" by Timothy Snyder.
(Please note that the opening introduction presentation will be recorded for later sharing, but the bulk of our conversation time will not be recorded.)
To register: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/IitdKJavQoiEunHzMTqPgg
For more information on this group: https://shalomvtzedek.org/bookgroup-antifascist.htm
Also, our sponsor is Shalom V'Tzedek a Jewish school of learning that explores Unbound #HumanisticJudaism with a special focus on #peace and #SocialJustice
#AntiFascism #BookDiscussion #Books #Mazeldon #Judaism #ResistFascism #Fascism #TimothySnyder
For those wondering about my #ShavuotLive posts --- this is an annual observance of the Jewish holiday of #Shavuot that happens online via Zoom --- 24 hours of expansive unbounded Jewish learning, because Shavuot if a holiday in which Jews celebrate the giving of the law by Moses at Mount Sinaii -- which includes not only the written Torah but also the more expansive oral Torah.
For myself, as a Humanistic Jew, I see this all through the lens of metaphor and mythology, which is why I revel in this holiday for its expansive possibilities --- which is also why Shavuot Live features everything from traditional textual studies to explorations of erotic female-centered Yiddish poetry, to a discussion of the idea that the Biblical character of Essau might have been a vampire, to the theological lessons that toddlers might teach us, and so much more.
I'm proud to announce the start of a new project, Shalom V'Tzedek a #Yeshiva (or school of #Jewish learning) that will focus on promoting Unbound #HumanisticJudaism, with a special focus on #Shalom (#peace) and #Tzedek (#Justice).
We have lots of work in progress, but for this summer we will be focusing on two things:
1. A monthly #AntiFascist book discussion group
2. A monthly book discussion group that will be looking for the Torah (teachings or wisdom) in the Tales of the City series of books by #ArmisteadMaupin
#UnboundJudaism #Mazeldon #JewishLearning #Books
Find out more: www.ShalomVTzedek.org
I'm proud to announce the start of a new project, Shalom V'Tzedek a #Yeshiva (or school of #Jewish learning) that will focus on promoting Unbound #HumanisticJudaism, with a special focus on #Shalom (#peace) and #Tzedek (#Justice).
We have lots of work in progress, but for this summer we will be focusing on two things:
1. A monthly #AntiFascist book discussion group
2. A monthly book discussion group that will be looking for the Torah (teachings or wisdom) in the Tales of the City series of books by #ArmisteadMaupin
#UnboundJudaism #Mazeldon #JewishLearning #Books
Find out more: www.ShalomVTzedek.org
https://shj.org/new-siddur-for-humanistic-judaism/
Very excited that I recently got my copy of this siddur. My friend Martin Di Maggio has done an incredible job with it.
I hope to share more reflections on it in the coming days as I have the chance to dive deep into it, but I will say for now three things:
1. The book itself is not only easy to read, but it is beautiful. I really like how the pages are laid out.
2. Many of the non-theistic liturgical selections are crafted in such a way that they work with the traditional melodies we know.
3. There is a good bit of #Sephardic influence in this siddur, which is a welcome change.
https://shj.org/new-siddur-for-humanistic-judaism/
Very excited that I recently got my copy of this siddur. My friend Martin Di Maggio has done an incredible job with it.
I hope to share more reflections on it in the coming days as I have the chance to dive deep into it, but I will say for now three things:
1. The book itself is not only easy to read, but it is beautiful. I really like how the pages are laid out.
2. Many of the non-theistic liturgical selections are crafted in such a way that they work with the traditional melodies we know.
3. There is a good bit of #Sephardic influence in this siddur, which is a welcome change.
PLANNING AN EPIC RAIL TRIP/SPEAKING TOUR
I was able to snag a half-price #Amtrak railpass on a special, so I'm planning some cross-country travel, but I also would love to take advantage of this opportunity to get to do some speaking in different communities while traveling.
The cities I'll be at (and would have time to speak in) are: Seattle, Portland, SF Bay area, and Denver.
The topics I can present on would include:
1. #DraftCounseling - Why local groups need to start getting ready to help people who may face military conscription under the Trump administration?
2. The issue of #IllegalOrders under US #MilitaryLaw as well as #InternationalLaw
3. #Indigenous Draft Resistance - stories and reflections from the history of resistance by Indigenous Americans to being drafted
4. The joys of engaging in MRP (multi-religious practice) --- I'm a Humanistic Jew who is also an active member of a progressive #Mennonite church.
5. Something else? - I'm open to other topics related to military law, #HumanisticJudaism, and the progressive Mennonite tradition.
As far as cost goes, I'm asking for local groups who can afford it to either: (1) find me a place to a stay, ideally a private bedroom that I can get to by mass transit from the Amtrak station, or (2) pay me an honorarium of at least $100.
I'm firming up my travel plans, but it looks like the cities and dates that I would be available for speaking engagements would be:
#Seattle, WA
Wed, April 29 (evening)
Thu, April 30 (all day)
#Portland, OR
Fri, May 1 (evening)
#SF Bay Area
Sunday, May 3 (all day)
Monday, May 4 (all day)
#Denver
Tuesday, May 6 (late evening, if train is on time)
Wed, May 7 - morning or lunch
If you know any groups who want me to speak for them and/or have other ideas, please me a message or email me at girightslawyer at gmail dot com.
Thanks!
Starting a new category of posts: Jewish-Mennonite Connections
This short introduction seeks to explain why the topic of Jewish-Mennonite connections is personally meaningful to me.
So first, someday I will write a longer essay that explains my complicated religious/philosophical journey, but for now I will simply state that I’m a convert to Judaism through the Humanistic movement, who also has retained significant ties to the Mennonite tradition (even though I don’t really identity as a Christian anymore), enough that these days I prefer to say that I’m #BiReligious or better that I’m a Jew who engages in #MRP (Multi-Religious practice).
To say it another way:
Judaism provides my primary identity, but also provides me a method of dialogue and engagement with Biblical and other texts, and most of my spiritual and ritual practices. And being a part of the Jewish community (both online and in-person) is also a huge part of why I’m Jewish.
The Mennonite/Anabaptist tradition provides most of my ethics, including an orientation towards the primacy of peace, as well as an emphasis on simplicity and the community hermeneutic of scripture and other texts (which I see as very complimentary to the Jewish chavruta approach). And I’m a fan of the historic Jesus as his ethical, human teachings.
And thanks to the Humanistic movement of Judaism, I am able to do both. Unlike other other movements of Judaism, the Humanistic movement does not forbid MRP for converts, and does not discourage it for those born Jewish. And taken together, both the Jewish and Mennonite traditions share another major commonality — an emphasis of practice over beliefs, which makes it much easier for me to stay engaged as someone who does not hold to traditional ideas about God.
So anyway, I will be sharing more content (both my own, but also content by others), that explores or touches on commonalities between these two traditions, as well as content that contrasts differences between these traditions. To find these posts, just go to: https://jmb.mx/blog/category/theology/jewish-mennonite-connections/
#Anabaptist #HumanisticJudaism #Jewish #Mennonite
Join the Spinoza Havurah for a Farbrengen (spirited discussion) on the topic of "Humanistic Spirituality and the Torah of our Lives" on Saturday, February 21, 2026.
It will be led by James M. Branum/
#HumanisticJudaism #Judaism #Mazeldon #Farbrengen #Spirituality
Recording of the Jan. 24, 2026 #Shabbat service with the #SpinozaHavurah
Our D'var Torah and discussion was on Parashah Bo.
https://spinozahavurah.org/2026/01/24/shabbat-bo-january-24-2026/
Join the #SpinozaHavurah at 10 am Eastern on January 24th for a cozy #Shabbat service including some discussion of parashah Bo.
https://shj.org/why-all-liberal-minded-jews-should-adopt-the-shjs-definition-of-who-is-a-jew/
I'm going to write an response to this piece soon by Adam King Skrzynski(but not in disagreement, but rather in whole-hearted affirmation) because it is really, really important.
I strongly recommend all Jews, but especially those in progressive/liberal movements to consider this and to recognize the power that can come from opening the doors to Jewish identity wider, rather than trying to keep folks out.
Excerpt: While the current times have been horrifying and dispiriting, another narrative also exists, one in which the American Jewish community is more imbedded and accepted in American life as never before. How else do we explain the increasing interest reported nationwide in those seeking to become Jewish? More non-Jewish people live with Jews, work with Jews, think about Jews, and do Jewish things that at any time in American Jewish history.
. . . As a result, I believe that our response to these changing times is one in which we look to capture the present positive undercurrent of momentum, as well as look to ensuring Jewish survival well into the future in the face of rising antisemitism. In my view, we do this by expanding the tent. We make it easier to welcome people into the Jewish community, ask them to participate with us in our celebrations, and allow for a definition of Jewish identity more in line with the facts on the ground, how people are actually living. I suggest that other like-minded Jews learn about and accept the Society for Humanistic Judaism’s definition of Jewish identity, declared by the Second Biennial Conference of the International Federation of Secular Humanistic Jews, in Brussels, in October 1988.
This definition has roots and parallels in Jewish history, especially secular Jewish history, and states the following:
“We, therefore, affirm that a Jew is a person of Jewish descent or any person who declares himself or herself to be a Jew and who identifies with the history, ethical values, culture, civilization, community, and fate of the Jewish people.”
Knowing what the fate of the Jewish people has been, this is no small declaration to make, and anyone acting out of sincerity and with full knowledge of the consequences of this identification, should surely be welcomed among us. "
https://spinozahavurah.org/2026/01/06/shabbat-with-marcos-bazmandegan-january-10-2026/
Besides, our regular Shabbat service, we will also have a special speaker. Here's more info about it:
This service will be followed by a talk by Dr. Marcos Bazmandegan on his recent book which explores the life and thought of Uriel da Costa, a Sephardic Jew of Portuguese origin, presenting him as an intellectual precursor of Spinoza and the author of the first major critique of Rabbinic Judaism prior to the Theological-Political Treatise. It examines his life of exile, his break with religious orthodoxy, and his defense of reason, individual conscience, and ethical humanism, placing his ideas within the broader context of the Sephardic diaspora. At the same time, the book serves as a reflection on Sephardism, secularism, and Jewish Humanism, portraying Uriel da Costa as a powerful symbol of intellectual resistance and freedom of thought.
#UrielDaCosta #Spinoza #HumanisticJudaism #Philosophy #Sephardism
Come join the #SpinozaHavurah (an international online Humanistic Jewish community) for our Shabbat zoom service on Saturday, November 22nd.
More details at:
https://spinozahavurah.org/2025/11/18/shabbat-service-saturday-november-22-2025/
#HumanisticJudaism #Judaism #Shabbat #Humanism #Jewish #Spirituality
https://humanistictorah.org/2025/09/26/humanistic-torah-podcast-episode-3/
Episode #3 of the #HumanisticTorah podcast is now out!
In this episode:
1. Reflections on last night's Interfaith Alliance of Oklahoma's Annual Dinner
2. Podcast round up- focusing on episodes from Judaism Unbound and Called to be bad
3. Some practical ideas on how ordinary folks can take small actions in support of peace in Gaza,
4. A D'var Torah based on Deuteronomy 31 and the Tao Te Ching chapter 78.
#HumanisticJudaism #Mazeldon #Judaism #Deuteronomy #Interfaith #TaoTeChing #Taoism #Oklahoma
I'm sharing my annual Humanistic blowing of the shofar video for anyone who hasn't had the chance to hear #shofar during his month of Elul (the Jewish month of preparation for the High Holidays)
Im dedicating this to all who are about the work of Tikun Olam (world repair), but especially to my dear friends at The Spinoza Havurah and all of my friends from Judaism Unbound and the Unyeshiva.
#Elul #HighHolidays #Judaism #RoshHashanah #Mazeldon #HumanisticJudaism
https://humanistictorah.org/2025/07/28/in-defense-of-mrp-multireligious-practice-in-judaism/
I'm sharing an essay I wrote that has a controversial thesis: that Judaism should welcome and support converts who engage in another tradition's practices.
Along the way, I discuss two past classes from the #Unyeshiva (a school of Jewish learning and unlearning from the folks behind the Judaism Unbound podcast) by Susan Katz Miller and R Esther Hugenholtz, as well as share a fair bit about my own journey.
#MultiReligiousPractice #HumanisticJudaism #Judaism #JewishConversion #Mennonite #Mazeldon
You're invited to join the The Spinoza Havurah for an Arts Farbregen (led by myself) this Saturday at 10 am Eastern/3 pm UK.
(Registration link below)
The focus of our discussion for the farbregen will be some works of visual art, with each work of art being using as a spark for conversation, but we will also close our time for our humanistic Kaddish, as well as kiddush and Ha'motzi.
We will also have an optional arts activity that participants are welcome to engage in during our discussion time. If you want to participate, all you will need is some paper and your favorite drawing tools (pencils, colored pencils, ink pen, markers, etc.)
You're invited to koin the The Spinoza Havurah for a celebration of PRIDE SHABBAT, this Saturday, June 21st at 10 am Eastern time/5 pm UK time.
I will be leading the service. Much of the service will be organized around our special Pride Menorah service (written by Martin Di Maggio) but we will have some space available for readings, poetry, songs, etc, so if you have any thing you would like to contribute to the service, please email us at [email protected] no later that 12 pm (eastern time) on Friday, and we'll do our best to include it.
To register for the zoom gathering: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/B0wTrLZgTDCmWIjkLq9hBg
#PrideShabbat #Pride #LGBTQ #HumanisticJudaism #Shabbat #Mazeldon #Judaism
Running a little behind on #ShavuotLive commentary (I did sleep a little --- but left the zoom running in my sleep in the hopes I would get some #Torah inspiration by osmosis).
For hour #11 we heard from Martín Di Maggio (from the The Spinoza Havurah and Humanistic Judaism UK) who spoke about "An Unbound Siddur: How a Person-Centred Non-Theistic Siddur Is Coming Together"
I was obviously biased (I work often with Martin and am a big fan of his liturgy), but session in particular was a delight, especially see fellow participants in the session get to experience, for the first time, hearing non-theistic liturgy that fits the rhythmic structure of the traditional liturgy (making it possible to use traditional nusach and other tunes).
#HumanisticJudaism #Shavuot #Mazeldon #JudaismUnbound #Siddur #Liturgy #Hebrew
From: https://spinozahavurah.org/2025/05/28/shabbat-pre-shavuot-service-may-31-2025/
Join the Spinoza Havurah on Saturday, May 31st at 10 am Eastern time for a Shabbat morning service led by James M.Branum, which will include an exploration of the “Ten Commandments of Humanistic Judaism” as well as a fun activity in which participants will complete a short quiz, with the results yielding a list of suggested study topics for Shavuot this year.
To register for the zoom session, please visit: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/8hKKMDW-Sn2kg_O-pLWX9A
We also want to remind everyone that this weekend will start the Shavuot Live! program from the folks behind the Judaism Unbound Podcast. It will be happening from:
Saturday, May 31st, 8 pm ET/12 pm GMT until Sunday, June 1st at the same time, but we are especially excited that our own Martin Di Maggio will be presenting at 6 am Eastern (Sunday) / 10 pm GMT on the topic of “An Unbound Siddur: How a Person-centered Non-Theistic siddur is coming together”
To sign up and to get more information, please visit: https://www.judaismunbound.com/shavuot2025
#Shavuot #ShavuotLive #Shavuot2025 #JudaismUnbound #HumanisticJudaism
Tagging: @[email protected] @[email protected]
https://www.thejc.com/judaism/the-alternative-siddur-for-god-optional-services-t09d36mn
Very proud of my friend's work being highlighted in The Jewish Chronicle.
Just got this in yhe mail from thr Society for Humanistic Judaism
This is great timing, just in time to fit into tonight's seder!