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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!

Religious Freedom, Gender Justice, and the Fight Against Discriminatory LGBTQ+ Policies

Across the U.S., laws and policies targeting LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive freedom, and gender expression are on the rise. But how do these policies relate to religious freedom? And why should the Jewish community be concerned? Join Jews for a Secular Democracy and Keshet for a critical discussion on the intersection of gender justice and religious freedom. This webinar will unpack the ways in which gender discrimination is embedded in our culture and public policy at the local, state, and national...
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Gender Unpacked: Exploring Gender, Judaism, and Allyship with Rabbi Micah Buck of Keshet

What is gender, and how does it shape our identities, communities, and values? Jews for a Secular Democracy and Keshet invite you to explore the fundamental concepts of gender, how it differs from sex and sexual orientation, and what Jewish texts and traditions say about it. We’ll break down key gender terms, discuss how gender identity develops, and highlight why understanding these concepts is essential for fostering inclusive communities and being better allies. Rabbi Micah Buck (he/they) is Director of...
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JFASD Michigan co-sponsors candidate forums in Genessee County jail

People in jail who are awaiting their trial or sentencing have the right to vote. But it’s very difficult for them to overcome the obstacles to voting and to get information about the candidates. JFASD co-sponsored two candidate forums in the Genessee County jail. One forum featured candidates for the US Congress and US Senate. The other featured candidates for Flint City Council. This was an amazing opportunity to engage people who are usually forgotten in the election process.

Protecting Public Education: Combatting Christian Nationalism & Defending Religious Freedom

Christian nationalism is becoming an ever-growing force in America’s public education system, with real-world consequences that affect students, educators, and families. From book bans to curriculum changes, this rising influence threatens the fundamental principle of church-state separation and the civil rights of vulnerable students, including religious minorities and LGBTQ+ youth. This webinar explores these dangerous trends nationally, while drawing on the case study of Pine-Richland School District in a suburb of Pittsburgh, PA. Panelists include Chris Ullery, reporter on education...
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Weaponizing Faith: Religious Nationalism Destroying Democracy: with Author Katherine Stewart

Award-winning author Katherine Stewart examines the dangerous rise of religious nationalism in America, exploring how politicized faith and financial interests are being weaponized to undermine democratic values. Drawing from her new book, “Money, Lies, and God: Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy,” Stewart discusses the powerful forces behind this movement and its threat to democracy and real religious freedom. This issue is of particular concern to the Jewish community, as religious nationalism targets the very foundation of religious freedom, a...
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Christian Nationalism Ascending: Paul Golin at The City Congregation for Humanistic Judaism

The incoming U.S. administration includes authors of Project 2025, a blueprint for White Christian Nationalist control of the government and a rollback of the rights of many Americans including women and LGBTQ+ folks. Jews and other religious minorities will be discriminated against with mandates for prayer and bible study in public schools, for example. This program addresses concerns about the rise of Christian Nationalism and assess potential outcomes for the coming months and years. We also consider possible approaches to...
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Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle: “The future of Jewish women and religious freedom explored in upcoming summit”

“A summit on the post-election landscape — and how women can mobilize to create change — is slated for Dec. 15, 1 to 4 p.m., at Rodef Shalom Congregation in Oakland. “Jewish Women and Religious Freedom in Pittsburgh: What Comes Next?” is sponsored by the Jewish Women’s Foundation of Greater Pittsburgh, with underwriting by trustee Nancy Weissman in memory of her mother-in-law, trustee Jacquelin Wechsler.” Continue reading here.

School Vouchers—The Assault on Public Schools

On December 11, Jews for a Secular Democracy hosted an insightful webinar examining the impact of school vouchers on public education and their implications for the First Amendment’s separation of church and state.  Together with moderator Paul Golin, Executive Director of the Society for Humanistic Judaism, our panelists explored: How school vouchers may infringe upon First Amendment protections concerning the separation of church and state;  The damage of voucher programs to the integrity and funding of public education systems; The...
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