My Nonprofit Reviews

I don’t wear a Fedora because I want to be perceived as a theistic Jew “on the outside,” while being “frei” on the inside. I don’t wear ritual items to “repurpose” them. It was shocking for this to be even suggested about me by Society for Humanistic Judaism leaders (a Rabbi and an Executive Director)! It was a bit entitled and insulting for them to judge me and assume for me *my* story. To speak over me and for me and, then, to explain to me how the SHJ movement believes differently – while professing online, in emails, and in paper mailings that they “embrace” “diversity.”

Hmmm, are you sure, SHJ, that you are about diversity? You say all members are free to be themselves, no rules, but then *insist* on explaining the movement to members who complain about being cyberbullied for their non-theistic Jewish choices and expressions – because, to some SHJ members, we appear theistic.

I wear these clearly Jewish clothing/ritual items for two reasons *as an openly non-theistic Jew* who rejects the prayer Judaism part of Jewishness: One, the Fedora and the tzitzit is a part of my Eastern European Jewish heritage and, Two, the Fedora keeps the bright sunlight off of my eyes. But, USA “secular” Jews, pretending to be “humanists,” have said the former assumptive comments to me on more than one occassion. This is simply how I present as a non-theistic Jew in this world! At least, at this time, until I decide otherwise. The same is true for my inherited non-theistic use of ethno-religious terminology.

How can you be Jewish, if your first reaction is to bully Jews who are *being* Jewish?! I really don't appreciate being treated this way, only to have the movement's leadership 'explain the movement to me,' after I've asked them to listen to me about the atheistic bullying going on online. And, when I pressed to be heard, I was silenced, erased, and warned to never contact SHJ again. So, no closure as a non-theistic Jew for me!

I have the receipts, unfortunately, to prove my great disappointment here with SHJ. But, *HONESTLY*, I'd rather still be a member, than to have prove anything! Maybe, one day again, when SHJ is not so Ashkenormative white and when SHJ actually represents a *"Humanist"* Jewish organization (rather than a strictly atheist one) behind the online pages and mail box flyers! They wouldn't even give me a full refund of my membership because, apparently, being always right is more important than meeting a complaining member half way.