Jews for a Secular Democracy Blog - Jews for a Secular Democracy

Confronting Religious Extremism in Medicine and Science: The First Amendment and the Fight for Facts

28 Aug 2025

Events, Pennsylvania, Science, Webinars and Podcasts

Watch the full event on YouTube here. Religious extremism is currently undermining public trust in science—and reshaping public policy in ways that are dangerous, unconstitutional, and deeply harmful to public health. From vaccine resistance and reproductive health bans to attacks on school curricula, gender-affirming care and medical research, anti-science policies driven by religious fundamentalism are on the rise. These efforts violate the First Amendment’s promise of church-state separation and disproportionately endanger the health, safety, and freedom of women, girls, and...

Christian Nationalism in Florida: A Warning for the Nation

27 Aug 2025

JFASD

Events, Florida, Secular Democracy, White Christian Nationalism

Watch the full event on YouTube here. What’s happening in Florida should be a warning to us all about a dangerous political ideology—Christian Nationalism— that threatens public education, reproductive freedom, the rights of LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, and religious minorities and our very democracy. In this first session of a two-part series, we’ll examine how Christian Nationalism is taking root nationally and in Florida’s public policy—and why it matters far beyond the state’s borders. From book bans to abortion restrictions, from...

Standing behind the panel: Rabbi Steven Rubenstein; Emme Zanoti, Grace Olivero-Vazquez, Nomi Joyrich, Ezra Orel and Rachel Crandall.

Local Congregations Present Panel on Being Transgender and Jewish

27 Aug 2025

JFASD

LGBTQ Rights, Media, Michigan, News and Press

While the transgender population in the U.S. is small — only 1.6% according to the Pew Research Center, trans individuals are increasingly open about their identity and challenges. Transgender and non-binary individuals identify as another gender than the one with which they were registered at birth. Some pursue medical treatments to transition to the sex which they believe is authentically who they are. As a small minority, trans individuals often face animosity, discrimination and sometimes violence. While there are no...

Tennessee: The Testing Ground for Christian Nationalism in America?

25 Jul 2025

JFASD

Anti-Semitism, Events, LGBTQ Rights, Secular Democracy, White Christian Nationalism

What does it mean when a Jewish family is denied the chance to foster a child—because of their religion—by an agency funded by the state? In Tennessee, that isn’t just a theoretical question. It’s reality and it’s a reality that’s coming for all of us. Join Jews for a Secular Democracy for a powerful conversation with Gabe Rutan-Ram, Executive Director of Change TN, and Rebecca Markert, Vice President for Legal Affairs at Americans United for Separation of Church and State...

Being Trans and Jewish: Fostering Understanding and Allyship

25 Jul 2025

JFASD

Events, Judaism, LGBTQ Rights, Michigan

*This event was covered by the Detroit Jewish News here.* Trans people are under attack. Join us for this important conversation where we will hear personal stories from people who are trans and their close relatives. What resources are available? How can you be an ally? How can the Jewish community be supportive? The panel was be moderated by Nomi Joyrich, Michigan Director of Jews for a Secular Democracy. Rabbi Steven Rubenstein provided welcome remarks. Panelists were: Rachel Crandall,, Executive Director of...

“Call With Us” July Action!

01 Jul 2025

JFASD

Call With Us!, Events, Immigration, Secular Democracy

Looking for a way to take direct action? Want to make real change in just 30 minutes? Join Call With Us!—a monthly, action-focused series from Jews for a Secular Democracy that transforms your values into real-time advocacy. Each month on Zoom, we’ll guide you step by step as you contact your federal representatives and take a stand for the issues that matter most. Here’s how it works: In just 30 minutes, we’ll walk you through how to: Find your members...

“Call With Us” June Action

06 Jun 2025

JFASD

Call With Us!, Events, Florida, Voter Suppression

Call With Us! Take Action. Raise Your Voice. Defend Democracy. Join Jews for a Secular Democracy for the first session “Call With Us!,” a new MONTHLY action series that helps you speak directly to your federal representatives—live on Zoom, in just 30 minutes. GRAPHIC Our June session, generously sponsored by the Eula Mae & John Baugh Foundation as part of our Florida initiative, focuses on two urgent issues that are especially vital to Florida residents: The SAVE Act, a dangerous...

Pontiac Mayoral Candidate Forum

22 May 2025

JFASD

Events, Michigan

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