Jewish secularism

The roots of Jewish secularism lie in the Haskalah, the Jewish Enlightenment that began in the late 18th century in Germany and spread eastward. Figures like Moses Mendelssohn advocated for Jewish integration into European society while maintaining Jewish cultural distinctiveness, laying the groundwork for a secular Jewish identity.¹ In the 19th century, the rise of nationalism and socialism among Eastern European Jews produced movements such as the Bund, which championed Jewish cultural autonomy without religious observance.² These developments were accelerated by the demographic upheavals of the 20th century, including mass migration and the Holocaust, which reshaped Jewish communities and identities.

In Israel, secularism is a defining feature of public life, with a large majority of Jewish citizens identifying as secular or traditional (masorti). Israeli secularism is expressed through a vibrant cultural scene, a robust civil society, and political parties that advocate for the separation of religion and state. In the diaspora, particularly in the United States, secular Jews often engage with Jewish identity through cultural organizations, philanthropy, and support for Israel, while maintaining low levels of religious practice.³ The rise of 'Jewish secularism' as a self-conscious label has been accompanied by the development of secular Jewish institutions, such as the Society for Humanistic Judaism, founded in 1969.

Jewish secularism is not merely the absence of religion but a positive identity rooted in Jewish culture, ethics, and peoplehood. Thinkers like Ahad Ha'am envisioned a 'cultural Zionism' that would preserve Jewish values in a secular framework. In literature, writers such as Sholem Aleichem and Isaac Bashevis Singer depicted Jewish life without religious framing, while modern Israeli authors like Amos Oz explored secular Jewish identity in depth. Secular Jewish culture also thrives in music, film, and cuisine, from klezmer to the Israeli pop scene, reflecting a dynamic heritage that continues to evolve.

Beyond the mainstream narrative, Jewish secularism has many overlooked dimensions. The Jewish Labor Bund, though often overshadowed by Zionism, was a major force in early 20th-century Eastern Europe, advocating for secular Yiddish culture and Jewish workers' rights.² In the Soviet Union, secular Jewish identity was promoted by the state, leading to a unique form of Jewishness based on nationality rather than religion. In the United States, the 'Generation X' of the 1990s saw a rise in 'cultural Judaism' among young adults who rejected organized religion but embraced Jewish ethics and community. Additionally, the concept of 'Jewish secularism' has been critiqued by some scholars for its ambiguity, as it often overlaps with atheism, humanism, and ethnic identity, making it a fluid and contested category.

Haskalah

The Jewish Enlightenment, an intellectual movement of the 18th–19th centuries that encouraged Jews to integrate into European society while retaining cultural distinctiveness.

Bund

The General Jewish Labour Bund, a secular Jewish socialist movement founded in 1897 in the Russian Empire, promoting Yiddish culture and Jewish autonomy.

Masorti

In Israeli usage, a term for Jews who observe some traditions but are not strictly religious; often translated as 'traditional'.

Cultural Zionism

A strand of Zionism, associated with Ahad Ha'am, that emphasized the creation of a secular Jewish cultural center in Palestine.