We believe that Judaism is the magnificent creation of the Jewish people over time and in many lands. Our Jewish heritage is a source of identity, pride and ethics. Jewish history teaches us much about rights and responsibilities, about human behavior, and about community. Jewish culture enriches and inspires us.

Our goal is to add to, enjoy and transmit our heritage. Jews have always been a diverse people and we believe that this diversity is a strength. The many movements in Judaism provide comfortable homes for Jews of differing beliefs. We believe that a Jew is one who, regardless of birth, identifies with the history, culture, and future of the Jewish people. There have always been Jews who identify with Jewish history, culture and peoplehood. Secular Judaism has had various names throughout the ages, some accepting, some less complementary. In response to the Enlightenment, Secular Jews in Eastern Europe began to associate and declare themselves and to celebrate Jewish culture together in nonreligious ways. In the late 1800's Secular Judaism emerged as a recognizable movement in Jewish life. It was joined in the 1960's by Secular Humanistic Judaism, which has a more Western European flavor and outlook. The two movements together formed the International Federation of Secular Humanistic Jews, with communities in North America, South America, Israel, Europe, Australia and the former Soviet Union. The International Federation includes the International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism, the training and research arm of the movement. The Leadership Conference of Secular Humanistic Jews ordains Leaders and Senior Leaders.