An exploration of humanistic Judaism and its quest to retain Jewish culture and tradition

Abstract

This research evaluates, from a historical perspective, the doctrine and ethics of the new movement known as Humanistic Judaism, which was founded in America in 1963 by Rabbi Sherwin T. Wine (1928 — 2007). The thesis examines the theology, doctrines, ethics and ritual celebrations of the movement. The study examines the non-theistic structure of Humanistic Judaism, which places humanity at the centre of its ethical and spiritual belief systems. The thesis demonstrates that this new movement provides secular and humanistic Jews with connections to their culture, history, and religious celebrations that reflect their traditions without binding them to theistic beliefs. The research includes fieldwork in the United States, a visit to the headquarters of Humanistic Judaism, and discussion with key figures to gather material. The study concludes that the organisational structure of Humanistic Judaism as a movement very much resembles that of any other theistic institution in that it offers its followers leadership, fellowship, doctrines, ethics and ritual celebrations. This thesis also examines the question of whether this movement is a genuine form of Judaism. No one has previously presented in a single work the history and development of Humanistic Judaism together with a critique from an evangelical Christian perspective.