Events
Affirming All of Us: Gender, Religious Freedom, and the Role of the Jewish Community
Join us in-person this December 3rd at 6:30 pm for a dynamic and meaningful conversation on gender, LGBTQIA+ rights, and what it really means to be an ally—through a Jewish lens. Register here! This unique and timely program, Affirming All of Us: Gender, Religious Freedom, and the Role of the Jewish Community, will explore what gender means, what discrimination looks like, how it intersects with religious freedom, civil rights, and public policy—AND why these issues... Read More
Amanda Tyler on Christian Nationalism and Religious Freedom
Watch the recording of this webinar on YouTube here. As we all know, what happens in Florida doesn’t stay in Florida. Christian Nationalist ideology is not only reshaping policy across the Sunshine State — it’s also fueling a broader national movement that threatens democracy, civil liberties, and religious freedom for all. In this second session of our two-part series, we’ll examine the national implications of Christian Nationalism and explore what we can do to fight... Read More
UPCOMING! Banned Book Bingo
Free and open to the public — families welcome! Register here. Join us for Banned Book Bingo, at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Squirrel Hill for an in-person, family-friendly community event hosted by Jews for a Secular Democracy’s Jewish Women and Religious Freedom in Pittsburgh Project. This program is sponsored by the Jewish Women’s Foundation of Greater Pittsburgh, underwritten, in part, by Trustee Nancy Weissman, in memory of her beloved mother-in-law, Trustee Jackie Wechsler.... Read More
Call Congress With Us: Stand Up for Reproductive Rights and Data Privacy!
Take Action. Raise Your Voice. Protect Reproductive Rights and Data Privacy. Jewish tradition teaches us to protect human dignity, safeguard personal autonomy, and pursue justice for all. Yet today, deeply personal decisions are being shaped by lawmakers who seek to impose one set of religious beliefs on everyone. When reproductive freedom and private health data are placed at risk, so is our fundamental right to live according to our own values and conscience. Register here... Read More
Call With Us & Take Action for LGBTQIA+ Rights!
Watch the event on YouTube here. Take Action. Raise Your Voice. Defend Democracy. It’s easier to take action when we do it together. If you’ve ever felt unsure about how to advocate effectively—or nervous about calling a member of Congress—Call With Us! is for you. In just 30-40 minutes, we’ll guide you step-by-step as we all make real calls. Our Nov. 3rd session of Call With Us! is proudly hosted by our Florida Initiative in... Read More
Threats to Marriage Equality: A Conversation with Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel
You can watch the event on YouTube here. Join us on November 11 at 6 pm! What happens if the Supreme Court overturns Obergefell v. Hodges? States could lose marriage equality—and millions could lose their legal rights overnight. Marriage equality—the right to marry the person you love—is once again under threat. With the Supreme Court signaling a willingness to revisit Obergefell v. Hodges, the landmark 2015 decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, the future of... Read More
Know Before You Sign: Learn About Michigan’s Ballot Initiatives
There are currently about a dozen ballot initiative efforts in Michigan. Not only are they confusing, but petition circulators often do not understand or accurately represent them. It’s important to make an informed decision about which ones you do and do not want to sign. We are available to come to your congregation or organization and give a one hour program called “Know Before You Sign.” There will be plenty of time for Q&A... Read More
Penn Civics AND You—Understanding Local Government and Why It Matters for Jewish Women!
Watch the recording on YouTube here. Local and state government impacts nearly every aspect of daily life—from schools and housing to health care and civil rights. Yet many people are unaware of who is leading their government, what roles are on the ballot, and how these elections affect their community. Join Jews for a Secular Democracy’s Jewish Women and Religious Freedom in Pittsburgh project in partnership with LEAD PA Institute for an eye-opening session led... Read More
2025 Come Out With Pride
Jews for a Secular Democracy is proud to be tabling at Come Out With Pride this year! Come out and see us! Come Out With Pride Inc. is the proud 501(c)(3) non-profit organization behind Orlando’s beloved LGBTQIA+ Pride celebration. Every October, they light up the heart of Central Florida in honor of National Coming Out Day, creating a powerful and joyful space where everyone can live boldly, proudly, and authentically—even if it’s the only day... Read More
Candidate Forums in Pontiac
JFASD Michigan is proud to co-sponsor a candidate forum series in Pontiac. As we head toward the November 4th election, this forum series is your chance to hear directly from the candidates seeking to represent you. Learn about their vision for Pontiac. Come hear where they stand and how they’ll show up for the issues that matter most to you, your family, and community.
Discussion with Secular AZ and Secular Jewish Humanist Circle
Jews for a Secular Democracy is proud to co-sponsor the Secular Humanist Jewish Circle of Tucson’s conversation with Secular AZ’s Jeanne Casteen and Eddie Chavez Calderon on October 11 at 2 pm AZ time. The discussion will focus on Secular AZ’s work in education and church and state separation issues, as well as Eddie’s work in advocacy, human rights, and fundraising. Where: Woods Memorial Library, 3455 North 1st. Avenue, Tucson, 85719 When: 2-3:30p Secular AZ... Read More
JFASD co-sponsors Pontiac City Council Candidate Forum
JFASD was a proud co-sponsor of a Candidate Forum featuring candidates for the Pontiac City Council. City Council decisions directly shape our daily lives—from public safety and affordable housing to youth programs, infrastructure, and how public funds are invested in our neighborhoods. We were thrilled to contribute to a powerful evening of civic dialogue as we heard directly from the candidates running to represent Districts 3, 4, and 5 on Pontiac’s City Council.
“Call With Us!” September Action
You can watch the event on YouTube here. 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:... Read More
Confronting Religious Extremism in Medicine and Science: The First Amendment and the Fight for Facts
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... Read More
Christian Nationalism in Florida: A Warning for the Nation
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... Read More
Tennessee: The Testing Ground for Christian Nationalism in America?
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... Read More
Being Trans and Jewish: Fostering Understanding and Allyship
*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:... Read More
“Call With Us” July Action!
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... Read More
“Call With Us” June Action
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:... Read More
