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Thoughts from volunteer leaders and supporters of Jews for a Secular Democracy. If you have something to share, please be in touch, we would welcome your contributions to the blog!

A Brief History of Jewish Migration

26 Jan 2018
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The myth of the “wandering Jew” began in the 13th century in Europe, but it characterizes much of Jewish history, even before the date of the legend. From the Maccabee revolt of 135 B.C.E. to Jewish expulsions from countries in the mid-20th century, the list of places where Jews were forced out is long, and the list of destruction, murder, and severe restrictions on housing, livelihood and worship are even longer. Regardless of location, two common elements were present; a...
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Whose “Family Values”?

21 Dec 2017
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The recent decision by the Trump administration allowing businesses and non-profits with “sincerely held religious beliefs” to withhold contraception coverage is another instance of religious intrusion into health care matters and a violation of the U.S. Constitution. Reproductive health should be governed by medical science, the rights of women (and other patients), and other principles consistent with the secular nature of our Constitution. Withholding contraception coverage from all of one’s employees could not be a clearer instance of imposing one’s...
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School classroom

Secular Public Education

03 Dec 2017
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One issue critical to the health of secular democracy is also one that Jews of most denominations have very actively supported for many generations — public education. Our public schools are secular by law, which means of course that public education is not anti-religious in any way, but rather that they do not favor any one belief or discriminate against any belief either. The mission of public schools is simply education. Our public schools by very long tradition have also...
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Secular Government and Democracy

27 Nov 2017
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The need for strong secular governance institutions in our democracy could not possibly be clearer than it is now. Among many other things, freedom of religion and belief would not be possible without it. — Since the above is true, it follows that there has never been a stronger need for strong secular organizations in civil society. That is because we understand better than most what secular governance is, and how vital it is. That being true, we will work...
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Climate Change is REAL!

12 Nov 2017
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Support Science-Based Government Policies Regulatory agencies such as the FDA and the EPA should be led by scientists, not political hacks or industry spokespeople with neither education nor expertise in the subjects. Jews have long reconciled religion with science and must counter the assault against evidence-based policymaking.  
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