Jamie Ireland is a member of the Congress of Secular Jewish Organizations. Here we talk about humanistic, secular Judaism.
Scott Douglas Jacobsen: What is family background, e.g., geography, culture, language, and religion or lack thereof?
Jamie Ireland: I grew up in California, we speak English, Secular Humanistic Judaism.
Jacobsen: Following from the last question, how have these factors influenced personal life and views?
Ireland: I know no other way. I always expressed my Judaism in a secular and humanistic way.
Jacobsen: How does a rejection of the supernatural change the way one lives one’s life? How does an understanding of the natural influence views on life and meaning in the light of the aforementioned rejection?
Ireland: That is all I know. It puts the responsibility of my life on me and that there are consequences in the here and now. There is no other life forgiveness at the end of life it is now.
Jacobsen: What are your tasks and responsibilities at the Congress of Secular Jewish Organizations?
Ireland: I am on the board of the CSJo but I am also on the board of our local affiliate and I teach Jewish Culture School and guide students through their Bar/Bat mitzvahs, put on holiday events.
Jacobsen: What does an average service look like to you? How does the maintenance of Jewish culture inside a secular lens provide some forms of solace, comfort, and connection to the past?
Ireland: We talk about our history and it depends on what holiday we are celebrating as to how we talk about the connection and to what part of our history we are exploring at the time. We sing and that connects us and we discuss what it was like to be Jewish at other times in history and in different places so we are connected to other Jews that we learn about.
Jacobsen: How is the integration with the larger culture for the Congress of Secular Jewish Organizations? What are some of the more popular, and important, secular Jewish events and activities for the community? Any personal favourites?
Ireland: One way we integrate is through our participation with the Interfaith Councils in our area. This helps to work with the broader community on issues that are important to all of us. Our Rosh Hashanah observance and our Passover Seder are our biggest draws. We have potlucks and come together in community.
Jacobsen: What are some joint activities with other faith/non-faith groups in the larger community?
Ireland: Light up the Season. It started as just a tree lighting in a nearby city but has become an event where different faith groups share their winter traditions. It is lovely.
Jacobsen: Who are some recommended speakers, authors, or organizations?
Ireland: Rabbi Judith Seid, Tri-Valley Cultural Jews.
Jacobsen: Thank you for the opportunity and your time, Jamie.
Ireland: Thank you for the opportunity to share my experiences with you.
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Scott Douglas Jacobsen is the Founder of In-Sight: Independent Interview-Based Journal and In-Sight Publishing. He authored/co-authored some e-books, free or low-cost. If you want to contact Scott: Scott.D.Jacobsen@Gmail.com.
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Canadian Atheist Associates: Godless Mom, Nice Mangoes, Sandwalk, Brainstorm Podcast, Left at the Valley, Life, the Universe & Everything Else, The Reality Check, Bad Science Watch, British Columbia Humanist Association, Dying With Dignity Canada, Canadian Secular Alliance, Centre for Inquiry Canada, Kelowna Atheists, Skeptics, and Humanists Association.
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Other National/Local Resources: Association humaniste du Québec, Atheist Freethinkers, Central Ontario Humanist Association, Comox Valley Humanists, Grey Bruce Humanists, Halton-Peel Humanist Community, Hamilton Humanists, Humanist Association of London, Humanist Association of Ottawa, Humanist Association of Toronto, Humanists, Atheists and Agnostics of Manitoba, Ontario Humanist Society, Secular Connextions Seculaire, Secular Humanists in Calgary, Society of Free Thinkers (Kitchener-Waterloo/Cambridge/Guelph), Thunder Bay Humanists, Toronto Oasis, Victoria Secular Humanist Association.
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Other International/Outside Canada Resources: Allianz vun Humanisten, Atheisten an Agnostiker, American Atheists,American Humanist Association, Associação Brasileira de Ateus e AgnósticoséééBrazilian Association of Atheists and Agnostics, Atheist Alliance International, Atheist Alliance of America, Atheist Centre, Atheist Foundation of Australia, The Brights Movement, Center for Inquiry (including Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science), Atheist Ireland, Camp Quest, Inc., Council for Secular Humanism, De Vrije Gedachte, European Humanist Federation, Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations, Foundation Beyond Belief, Freedom From Religion Foundation, Humanist Association of Ireland, Humanist International, Humanist Association of Germany, Humanist Association of Ireland, Humanist Society of Scotland, Humanists UK, Humanisterna/Humanists Sweden, Internet Infidels, International League of Non-Religious and Atheists, James Randi Educational Foundation, League of Militant Atheists, Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers, National Secular Society, Rationalist International, Recovering From Religion, Religion News Service, Secular Coalition for America, Secular Student Alliance, The Clergy Project, The Rational Response Squad, The Satanic Temple, The Sunday Assembly, United Coalition of Reason, Union of Rationalist Atheists and Agnostics.
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