#humanisticjudaism — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #humanisticjudaism, aggregated by home.social.
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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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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 lunchIf 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!
-
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 lunchIf 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!
-
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 lunchIf 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!
-
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 lunchIf 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!
-
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 lunchIf 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!
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
-
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
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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
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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
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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
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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]
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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.
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Who all is up late to see the #eclipse? I decided that, given our lunar calendar, that staying up late to see a lunar eclipse is a very Jewish thing to do.
But that raises the question --- what is the #Bracha (blessing) for seeing an eclipse?
And at what point in the eclipse should one recite the blessing?
And as always I must ask --- is there a non-theistic version of said bracha?
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https://zoom.us/meeting/register/pmzp34v7RP2rm47GMIyW7w
Join us on Saturday, March 1st at 10 am Eastern for a #Farbrengen (discussion session) led by James M. Branum on the topic of: Getting ready for #Passover.
The discussion will be a mix of personal and practical, in the hopes that participants will come away with new inspiration for planning/participating in seders in your community or online. And we are doing this well ahead of the festival season (which starts on April 12th) to give lots of time to make this season especially meaningful.
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This 500th anniversary of the founding of the #Anabaptist movement (from which the Mennonites, Brethern, Amish, and realted traditions sprung forth --- and that were theological cousins of the early Baptists) is all the more important to me this year, because of what happened yesterday in this nation. I'm grateful that the Anabaptist tradition is very clear that we do not kiss the ring, we do not bow the knee to the empire, ever.
This is one of the reasons I treasure my connections to this tradition.
One detail of my religious journey that many do not know, is that I chose to become Jewish through the Humanistic movement primarily because it was (and as far as I know still is), the only Jewish movement that is open to biereligous converts (those who are seeking to become Jewish, while still maintaining connections to another tradition). I had fallen in love with #Judaism (thankfully a passion that still is with me 10 years later), but I also loved the Mennonites, particularly its strong belief in the moral imperative of peace (or rather the Hebrew concept of Shalom which is far more than the cessation of hostility but also has the connotations of harmony, equity, and wholeness), a belief that #nationalism is just another form of idolatry, and the power of simple living (even though I do a lousy job of living this out). In other words, at its best moments, the #Mennonite / Anabaptist tradition provides a critical witness against the values of the American Empire through its focus on the ethical earthly teachings of Jesus.
I am grateful that I was able to find a path to embracing Judaism that did not require me to leave my Mennonite values out.
And so I say, Happy 500th birthday to the Anabaptist movement! And thank you to #HumanisticJudaism for giving me a way to be true to my #bireligoius values.
(graphic from Druhart on FB)
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This 500th anniversary of the founding of the #Anabaptist movement (from which the Mennonites, Brethern, Amish, and realted traditions sprung forth --- and that were theological cousins of the early Baptists) is all the more important to me this year, because of what happened yesterday in this nation. I'm grateful that the Anabaptist tradition is very clear that we do not kiss the ring, we do not bow the knee to the empire, ever.
This is one of the reasons I treasure my connections to this tradition.
One detail of my religious journey that many do not know, is that I chose to become Jewish through the Humanistic movement primarily because it was (and as far as I know still is), the only Jewish movement that is open to biereligous converts (those who are seeking to become Jewish, while still maintaining connections to another tradition). I had fallen in love with #Judaism (thankfully a passion that still is with me 10 years later), but I also loved the Mennonites, particularly its strong belief in the moral imperative of peace (or rather the Hebrew concept of Shalom which is far more than the cessation of hostility but also has the connotations of harmony, equity, and wholeness), a belief that #nationalism is just another form of idolatry, and the power of simple living (even though I do a lousy job of living this out). In other words, at its best moments, the #Mennonite / Anabaptist tradition provides a critical witness against the values of the American Empire through its focus on the ethical earthly teachings of Jesus.
I am grateful that I was able to find a path to embracing Judaism that did not require me to leave my Mennonite values out.
And so I say, Happy 500th birthday to the Anabaptist movement! And thank you to #HumanisticJudaism for giving me a way to be true to my #bireligoius values.
(graphic from Druhart on FB)
-
This 500th anniversary of the founding of the #Anabaptist movement (from which the Mennonites, Brethern, Amish, and realted traditions sprung forth --- and that were theological cousins of the early Baptists) is all the more important to me this year, because of what happened yesterday in this nation. I'm grateful that the Anabaptist tradition is very clear that we do not kiss the ring, we do not bow the knee to the empire, ever.
This is one of the reasons I treasure my connections to this tradition.
One detail of my religious journey that many do not know, is that I chose to become Jewish through the Humanistic movement primarily because it was (and as far as I know still is), the only Jewish movement that is open to biereligous converts (those who are seeking to become Jewish, while still maintaining connections to another tradition). I had fallen in love with #Judaism (thankfully a passion that still is with me 10 years later), but I also loved the Mennonites, particularly its strong belief in the moral imperative of peace (or rather the Hebrew concept of Shalom which is far more than the cessation of hostility but also has the connotations of harmony, equity, and wholeness), a belief that #nationalism is just another form of idolatry, and the power of simple living (even though I do a lousy job of living this out). In other words, at its best moments, the #Mennonite / Anabaptist tradition provides a critical witness against the values of the American Empire through its focus on the ethical earthly teachings of Jesus.
I am grateful that I was able to find a path to embracing Judaism that did not require me to leave my Mennonite values out.
And so I say, Happy 500th birthday to the Anabaptist movement! And thank you to #HumanisticJudaism for giving me a way to be true to my #bireligoius values.
(graphic from Druhart on FB)
-
This 500th anniversary of the founding of the #Anabaptist movement (from which the Mennonites, Brethern, Amish, and realted traditions sprung forth --- and that were theological cousins of the early Baptists) is all the more important to me this year, because of what happened yesterday in this nation. I'm grateful that the Anabaptist tradition is very clear that we do not kiss the ring, we do not bow the knee to the empire, ever.
This is one of the reasons I treasure my connections to this tradition.
One detail of my religious journey that many do not know, is that I chose to become Jewish through the Humanistic movement primarily because it was (and as far as I know still is), the only Jewish movement that is open to biereligous converts (those who are seeking to become Jewish, while still maintaining connections to another tradition). I had fallen in love with #Judaism (thankfully a passion that still is with me 10 years later), but I also loved the Mennonites, particularly its strong belief in the moral imperative of peace (or rather the Hebrew concept of Shalom which is far more than the cessation of hostility but also has the connotations of harmony, equity, and wholeness), a belief that #nationalism is just another form of idolatry, and the power of simple living (even though I do a lousy job of living this out). In other words, at its best moments, the #Mennonite / Anabaptist tradition provides a critical witness against the values of the American Empire through its focus on the ethical earthly teachings of Jesus.
I am grateful that I was able to find a path to embracing Judaism that did not require me to leave my Mennonite values out.
And so I say, Happy 500th birthday to the Anabaptist movement! And thank you to #HumanisticJudaism for giving me a way to be true to my #bireligoius values.
(graphic from Druhart on FB)
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This 500th anniversary of the founding of the #Anabaptist movement (from which the Mennonites, Brethern, Amish, and realted traditions sprung forth --- and that were theological cousins of the early Baptists) is all the more important to me this year, because of what happened yesterday in this nation. I'm grateful that the Anabaptist tradition is very clear that we do not kiss the ring, we do not bow the knee to the empire, ever.
This is one of the reasons I treasure my connections to this tradition.
One detail of my religious journey that many do not know, is that I chose to become Jewish through the Humanistic movement primarily because it was (and as far as I know still is), the only Jewish movement that is open to biereligous converts (those who are seeking to become Jewish, while still maintaining connections to another tradition). I had fallen in love with #Judaism (thankfully a passion that still is with me 10 years later), but I also loved the Mennonites, particularly its strong belief in the moral imperative of peace (or rather the Hebrew concept of Shalom which is far more than the cessation of hostility but also has the connotations of harmony, equity, and wholeness), a belief that #nationalism is just another form of idolatry, and the power of simple living (even though I do a lousy job of living this out). In other words, at its best moments, the #Mennonite / Anabaptist tradition provides a critical witness against the values of the American Empire through its focus on the ethical earthly teachings of Jesus.
I am grateful that I was able to find a path to embracing Judaism that did not require me to leave my Mennonite values out.
And so I say, Happy 500th birthday to the Anabaptist movement! And thank you to #HumanisticJudaism for giving me a way to be true to my #bireligoius values.
(graphic from Druhart on FB)
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Announcement from #SpinozaHavurah (an international online Humanistic Jewish community):
Join us on Saturday, January 25th at 10 am Eastern (4 pm UK) for a #Farbrengen (Jewish discussion session) led by @jmb.
We will start our together with a short niggun and maybe a special song to listen to, but then will transition into some of time of discussion on the topic of Self-Care during hard times from a Humanistic Jewish perspective. Along the way we will have a few interactive activities (including some light stretching) and of course some breaks for a drink (alcoholic or not, as is your custom), and finally close with our #Humanistic version of the Mourner's #Kaddish.
To register, please go to: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/dfd24crFRi-yhx6FWX7XrA
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Sharing the recording of our #SpinozaHavurah #Shabbat & #Hannukah service on Saturday that focused on three of Woody Guthrie's Hanukkah songs (including ones sung by The #Klezmatics, #NefeshMountain and of course Woody himself)
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I'm lending a small amount ($25) through this microlending effort to help Adel, a Palestinian man in Bethlehem, to be able to buy the construction equipment he needs for his business in Bethlehem, in the West Bank.
I hope you'll consider doing the same. It's definitely a good cause.
Also, for my fellow #HumanisticJews --- if you lend to this loan, be sure to join the Humanistic Judaism group on Kiva, so our group will get credit for supporting this loan.
#HumanisticJudaism #Peace #ShalomSalaam #Palestine #WestBank #Bethlehem #Kiva #Microlending
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A message from the #SpinozaHavurah, an online international #Humanistic #Jewish community:
Shalom Chaverim,
We hope this note finds you well.
Join us on Saturday September 28 at 10:00 am EDT/2:00 pm UTC/3:00 pm BST for a Shabbat Service. Please register for this service on Zoom.
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEtf-irpjMiHNeOZ-UTORlFrtQrytqhANAt
For our #Shabbat morning service on September 28th, Martin Di Maggio will conduct a #Selichot service which focuses on forgiveness in the week before #RoshHashanah5784
Services will be recorded so that people can watch at any time that feels right for them. Attendees are welcome to turn off their camera or edit their name at any time during the service.
We look forward to seeing you!
L'Shalom,
Spinoza Havurah
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A message from the #SpinozaHavurah, an online international #Humanistic #Jewish community:
Shalom Chaverim,
We hope this note finds you well.
Join us on Saturday September 28 at 10:00 am EDT/2:00 pm UTC/3:00 pm BST for a Shabbat Service. Please register for this service on Zoom.
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEtf-irpjMiHNeOZ-UTORlFrtQrytqhANAt
For our #Shabbat morning service on September 28th, Martin Di Maggio will conduct a #Selichot service which focuses on forgiveness in the week before #RoshHashanah5784
Services will be recorded so that people can watch at any time that feels right for them. Attendees are welcome to turn off their camera or edit their name at any time during the service.
We look forward to seeing you!
L'Shalom,
Spinoza Havurah
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It is official. I'm closing down the OKPeace.org server at the end of this month of paid hosting.
I do plan to post, hopefully more than in the past, here as well as at @[email protected].
Also, since it has been awhile since I've done an #Intro post, here are a few things about me and what I'm up to these days:
Work:
* Part-time #Attorney in the area of #GIRights / #MilitaryLaw
* Part-time #Editor of #HumanisticJudaism magazine
* Part-time online student at #Tohono_Oodham_CommunityCollege
* Co-lay leader of the @spinozahavurah (a humanistic Jewish online community)Interests:
* #Peace and #SocialJustice Activism
* Riding my #Ebicycle
* Art - drawing, watercolors, photography
* #LGBTQ equality and culture (FYI, I'm on the borders of the community falling somewhere in the #DemiGuy range of things)
* Learning languages - I have some limited knowledge of #Spanish #French #BiblicalHebrew and #Esperanto
* #HamRadio (KG5JST) and #DX Radio listening more generally, including #SWL
* #Oklahoma #History especially about our state's significant history of #Socialism in the 1910's
* #Neurodiversity - Most days I'm happy that I am on the #Autism spectrum.A few more things:
1. I post often about #politics and #activism, but do not do CW's for these posts unless they deal with especially troubling subjects.
2. I try hard to do alt-text for pictures, but if I forget please don't hesitate to nudge me.
3. I post a lot about topics related to my locale in #OklahomaCity , #Oklahoma
4. I've been posting on the fediverse since 2022. Most of my old posts are archived off-line but I may try to put them online somewhere (in static form) down the road, probably on my blog at www.jmb.mx. -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMms_B2edLY
Very excited to share this full concert by #ElianaLight, a powerful liturgist and musician.
I also had the joy of participating in her "Prayer Unbound" at the #Unyeshiva (the school ran by the #JudaismUnbound folks).
Lastly --- I will mention for my Humanistic Jewish friends - that while her music does focus a lot on the idea of "God" (or rather as she would say "G?d") she does it in a very unconventional way.
#Judaism #HumanisticJudaism #Theology #Music #JewishMusic #Tefilah #Prayer
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMms_B2edLY
Very excited to share this full concert by #ElianaLight, a powerful liturgist and musician.
I also had the joy of participating in her "Prayer Unbound" at the #Unyeshiva (the school ran by the #JudaismUnbound folks).
Lastly --- I will mention for my Humanistic Jewish friends - that while her music does focus a lot on the idea of "God" (or rather as she would say "G?d") she does it in a very unconventional way.
#Judaism #HumanisticJudaism #Theology #Music #JewishMusic #Tefilah #Prayer
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMms_B2edLY
Very excited to share this full concert by #ElianaLight, a powerful liturgist and musician.
I also had the joy of participating in her "Prayer Unbound" at the #Unyeshiva (the school ran by the #JudaismUnbound folks).
Lastly --- I will mention for my Humanistic Jewish friends - that while her music does focus a lot on the idea of "God" (or rather as she would say "G?d") she does it in a very unconventional way.
#Judaism #HumanisticJudaism #Theology #Music #JewishMusic #Tefilah #Prayer
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMms_B2edLY
Very excited to share this full concert by #ElianaLight, a powerful liturgist and musician.
I also had the joy of participating in her "Prayer Unbound" at the #Unyeshiva (the school ran by the #JudaismUnbound folks).
Lastly --- I will mention for my Humanistic Jewish friends - that while her music does focus a lot on the idea of "God" (or rather as she would say "G?d") she does it in a very unconventional way.
#Judaism #HumanisticJudaism #Theology #Music #JewishMusic #Tefilah #Prayer
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I'm very excited about the next round of short courses from the #Unyeshiva (the school ran by the same folks behind the #JudaismUnbound podcast), but especially the class by #Humanistic rabbi Tzemah Yoreh of the City Congregation for #HumanisticJudaism in #NYC!
Find out more at: judaismunbound.com/classes
#Torah #Mazeldon #Jewish #Jewniverse #Judaism
tagging: @lexaphus
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I'm very excited to share the latest issue of #HumanisticJudaism magazine, on the theme of finding community in unexpected places!
A link to the preview version of the issue is available in the comment (subscribers and members of the SHJ can read the full issue), but the good news is that you can subscribe and get this full issue and the next 3 issues, PLUS you get full access to the archives going back to 2017 that includes content such as:
* Stories on humanistic Jewish role models like #GeneWilder, #HarveyMilk, Rep. #JamieRaskin, and #JohnnyClegg.
* Stories about important topics in the #Jewish world including #Intermarriage, #Neurodiversity, #Liturgy, and #Aging and dying
* Discussion of themes and topics that most Jewish magazines are afraid to touch including: #ScienceFiction, and #Cannabis
* Reporting on what is happening across the humanistic Jewish world -
Here's your person invitation to our upcoming service at #SpinozaHavurah, an online international #humanistic #Jewish community. I'm leading this service and will be talking about the topic of #Pluralism in my D'var Torah message.
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We hope this note finds you well.
Join us on Saturday July 20 at 10:00 am EDT/2:00 pm UTC/3:00 pm BST for a Shabbat Service. Please register for this service:https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0tce6upzMjGdBnXlh8AE4KBonSHO7_jMr7
During this regular Shabbat am service, James will be sharing a short D'var Torah message about the importance of pluralism and why we should embrace diversity of perspectives in both Jewish community and our society. This will be followed by a time of discussion.
Services will be recorded so that people can watch at any time that feels right for them. Attendees are welcome to turn off their camera or edit their name at any time during the service.
We look forward to seeing you!
L'Shalom,
Spinoza Havurah -
Sharing this announcement from the #SpinozaHavurah for anyone interested in #Humanistic takes on traditional #Jewish holidays:
Join us on Saturday May 25th at 10:00 am EDT/2:00 pm UTC/3:00 pm BST for a Lag B’Omer Service. Please register for this service on Zoom.
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0vduiprzssGNzQyOzI04nJ8poS4TWhL1oH
Celebrate Lag Ba'Omer with us in a unique and spiritually enriching way. This special day marks the 33rd step in the Omer's 49-day journey, resonating with the theme of Hod within Hod - the essence of humility and splendor.
What to Bring: We invite you to participate actively by bringing a hard-boiled egg, marker pen, and candles. The eggs will serve as vessels for your personal wishes , symbolizing potential and new beginnings. The candles will represent the light of wisdom and revelation, honouring the teachings of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, whose insights have helped to illuminate our paths through Judaism.
Continued...
#Mazeldon #LagBOmer #Omer #CountingTheOmer #Judaism #HumanisticJudaism
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For those who are celebrating #420 day here is an article I wrote a few years ago on the complicated relationship between Jews and Cannabis.
It was first published in #HumanisticJudaism magazine, but I've reprinted it (with some additions) on my blog.https://humanistictorah.org/2023/12/30/jews-and-cannabis-a-relationship-history/
#Mazeldon #Jewdiverse #Judaism #Cannabis #Marijuana #April20 #420Day
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I'm extremely excited to see Humanistic rabbi Tzemah Yoreh from tCity Congregation in #NYC featured as a guest on my favorite podcast, #JudaismUnbound!!!
The topic is #Neurodiversity and broader inclusion issues in the Jewish community.
Tagging: @lexaphus
#HumanisticJudaism #Autism #Judaism #NYC #Mazeldon #AutismPride