Events
Why Not You? Jewish Women and the Path to Political Leadership
Voting is one important way to participate in our democracy. But our civic power does not end when we cast a ballot. What does it really take to run for office? What are campaigns like behind the scenes? How do people find their way into political or government staffing? How does public life affect family and career? And where can you find the training, mentorship, and support to take a first step? Join us for... Read More
Decode the Ballot
Florida voters: do you know what’s on your ballot this November? Join us for Decode the Ballot on Wednesday, October 14 at 7 PM ET on Zoom for an informative, nonpartisan look at Florida’s constitutional amendments and the Miami-Dade County referendums. Understanding what’s on the ballot is part of being an informed voter — and an informed electorate is essential to protecting democracy, religious freedom, and the separation of church and state. The statewide amendments will be discussed first,... Read More
American Caesar: Are We Already There?
What has happened to Christian nationalism since the 2024 election, and where is it taking our country now? Join JFASD and Dr. Bradley Onishi on October 22 for American Caesar: Christian Nationalism and the Fight for Secular Democracy. We’ll examine the growing alliance among Christian nationalists, reactionary religious networks, and powerful technology leaders, and what it means for religious freedom, fundamental rights, and American democracy. This is a virtual event. Oct. 22nd at 8 pm... Read More
Curious Conversations: Immigration, Identity and American Democracy
This new two-part interfaith dinner series is designed to move beyond lectures and into real conversation. Through brief background, shared stories and facilitated table discussions, we’ll explore immigration, belonging, faith and democracy and make space for people to listen openly, reflect honestly and engage across different experiences and perspectives. You are invited to join us at one, or even better, both dinners! Sunday, October 11 | 4:30–6:30 PM — “Because We Were Strangers…” The first... Read More
Trust at the Polls—What’s on your Ballot?
Arizona’s November ballot is a long one. This free, nonpartisan programpresented by the League of Women Voters of Southern Arizona and the American Association of University Women will walk through the propositions by topic and help voters understand what they mean.Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center, 564 S. Stone Ave. Details and registration: tjmhc.org/programs-and-events
Screening of “Bad Faith: Christian Nationalism’s Unholy War on Democracy”
Join us at The Loft Cinema for a FREE screening of Bad Faith: Christian Nationalism’s Unholy War on Democracy, followed by an opportunity to reflect and connect. Hosted by Mountain Vista Unitarian Universalist Congregation and sponsored by TJMHC, Democracy Unites Us and JFASD. Seats are on a first-come, first-serve basis so arrive early. No need to register ahead of time! The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd.
Call With Us: Three Calls for Equality, Freedom and the Vote
As we approach a new Jewish year, the High Holidays invite us to reflect on who we have been, who we want to become and how we can help repair the world around us. This year, Jews for a Secular Democracy and Keshet are turning that reflection into action. This special Call With Us will explain how to talk to friends and family about still participating in an imperfect democracy. Defending our rights and freedoms... Read More
Call With Us: Defend Abortion and Religious Freedom!
This special session of “Call With Us!” is hosted by JFASD’s Jewish Women and Religious Freedom in Pittsburgh Project, grant funded by the Jewish Women’s Foundation of Greater Pittsburgh and our JFASD Florida Initiative, grant funded by the Baugh Foundation. Here is our backgrounder for reference, and you can find more information below. Background Medication abortion is the most commonly used method of abortion in the United States. In 2023, approximately 65% of clinician-provided... Read More
Abortion Rights and Christian Nationalism: Whose Beliefs? Whose Laws?
Join nationally known experts Greer Donley and Susan J. Frietsche for a timely look at abortion rights in Pennsylvania and nationwide—and how these battles connect to Christian Nationalism, religious freedom, and church–state separation. Free + virtual. Register: bit.ly/jfasdabortionrights
Talk to Your Sheriff Election Pledge Movement Call
Jews for a Secular Democracy is proud to cosponsor the Talk to Your Sheriff Election Pledge Movement Call, sponsored and hosted by The Workers Circle. Sign up at: https://www.mobilize.us/theworkerscircle/event/986906/?utm_source=JSD As the country approaches a critical election season, communities have an opportunity to engage one of their most powerful local elected officials: the sheriff. The call will launch the Sheriff Pledge for Free & Fair Elections, a nationwide effort encouraging sheriffs to reaffirm publicly their commitment to upholding the Constitution,... Read More
Call With Us: Protect LGBTQ+ Families and Defend True Religious Freedom!
You can watch the full video on YouTube here. In partnership with Keshet, this “Call With Us!” session will focus on the John Lewis Every Child Deserves a Family Act and what’s at stake for religious freedom, church–state separation, and civil rights. Register here! Children deserve safe, loving homes—and families deserve to be treated equally under the law. Yet in many states, taxpayer-funded agencies can refuse to work with LGBTQ+ parents and others, citing religious... Read More
Talk to Your Sheriff
When local law enforcement becomes an extension of ICE, communities suffer. That is why Jews for a Secular Democracy is cosponsoring the Talk to Your Sheriff Movement Call on Monday, May 11 at 7 PM ET. We’ll join partners from across the country to learn how communities can demand accountability, protect constitutional rights, and push back against policies that endanger immigrant families. This work is part of the broader fight for democracy, pluralism, religious freedom, and church–state separation. RSVP:... Read More
Is It Constitutional? You Be the Judge!
You can watch the full recording on YouTube. Join Jews for a Secular Democracy and NCJW Greater Miami for Is It Constitutional? You Be the Judge™! This webinar is an interactive and thought-provoking program from the National Council of Jewish Women’s You Be the Judge™ series and hosted by JFASD’s Florida initiative which is generously grant-sponsored by the Baugh Foundation. While this program grows out of our Florida work, it will be relevant to people... Read More
Public Education and Church State Separation: A Conversation with Randi Weingarten
You can watch the full recording on YouTube here. Join Jews for a Secular Democracy for a powerful and timely evening as we present our Constitutional Defender Award to Randi Weingarten—President of American Federation of Teachers (AFT), national education leader, and a steadfast advocate for public education and democratic values—and hear from her about her experiences defending church-state separation in schools. Register here! The Jews for a Secular Democracy (JFASD) Constitutional Defender Award is presented... Read More
Call With Us: Stop Book Bans and Censorship!
You can watch the full recording on YouTube. As book bans accelerate nationwide and federal protections weaken, it’s time to move from conversation to action. April 20 is Right to Read Day, a day of action during National Library Week. Join Jews for a Secular Democracy’s Jewish Women and Religious Freedom in Pittsburgh Project on this important day for a special “Call With Us!” focused on H.R. 7661, the so-called “Stop the Sexualization of Children... Read More
Religious favoritism harms both believers and nonbelievers
People of all faiths and the nonreligious are equal under the U.S. Constitution. Vice President of Programs and Strategy Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons participated in webinar discussion about religious liberty sponsored by Americans United for Separation of Church and State. He was joined by Sam McGuire fromAmerican Atheists, Paul Golin from Society for Humanistic Judaism, and Tahil Sharma from theNational LGBTQ Task Force. Together, they challenged the assumption that religious freedom primarily belongs to people of faith,... Read More
Call With Us! Tell Congress to Support Resolution 773 Recommitting to Church-State Separation
You can watch the full recording of this event on YouTube here. With the implementation of Project 2025 in full swing and Christian nationalist rhetoric and policy in full view under this administration, it is more important than ever that Members of Congress reaffirm their commitment to the separation of church and state. Congresswoman Ansari has taken the lead on a House Resolution, co-sponsored by Congressman Huffman, Congressman Raskin that honors the foundational principle of... Read More
A Conversation with John Fugelsang: Faith, Democracy, and the Separation of Church & State
Across the country, the line between religion and government is being tested in new and urgent ways. From public education to civil rights to national security, religious language and ideology are increasingly shaping public policy and political debate. Join Jews for a Secular Democracy for a national conversation with John Fugelsang, author of the New York Times bestseller Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person’s Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists,... Read More
Banned Book Bingo!
“Banned Book Bingo!” is back by popular demand! After the success of our first Banned Book Bingo event last fall, where participants packed the room, learned about challenged books, and told us how much they loved the format, we’re excited to bring it back. Join us for an engaging and interactive afternoon of “Banned Book Bingo!” where bingo squares feature books that have been challenged or banned in schools and libraries across the country or... Read More
The Librarians: A Documentary Screening on Book Bans and the Right to Read
Public libraries belong to everyone. That’s why we’re proud to invite you to the second event in the Freedom to Read Without Religious Coercion series—a screening of The Librarians at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main Branch. This powerful documentary follows librarians navigating organized efforts to remove books from public shelves. As book bans accelerate nationwide, many of these challenges are framed through religious claims that seek to shape what everyone else is allowed to... Read More