Why I Write And For Whom

Why do I write and why did I start this blog?

Let me say at the outset that I am and always have been committed to Klal Yisrael – the unity of the Jewish people. I am also painfully aware that this is just a slogan representing a well-intentioned sentiment. Like many other historical families we are split into factions and not likely to unite any time soon.

Our factionalism – one might say tribalism – is mostly organized around the approaches we take to the authority and place of scripture and its interpretations in Jewish life. Reform Judaism holds that it is non-binding. Orthodoxy views Halakha as authoritative. There are many groups of us and we all have our ways of understanding the lessons of Judaism.

Secular Humanistic Judaism has a point of view, too. It is distinguished by its non-theism and ignosticism. We argue that, especially given Jewish experience, this is a perfectly valid approach to Judaism. It certainly draws on many Jewish thinkers of the past such as Spinoza and Kaplan. It is also committed to the scientific method and reason, which in my view are also Jewish traditions.

I do not write to convince people of faith to abandon it. There are plentiful resources for the Jewish faithful of every stripe. I write for those who are seeking an alternative or who are already committed to Secular Humanistic Judaism. That does not mean I am uncritical of the other movements and approaches. Spokespeople for every Jewish position are critical of other movements and approaches. I don’t seek to overthrow their forms of Judaism or convert them over to my way of thinking.

No, my way of thinking is primarily of interest to those who share my point of view or who are open to this alternative in Jewish life. So if you’re not in that category and can’t stand my views, please don’t read my blog! There are many things I do in my career to promote unity. This is not one of those things.