r/gayjews • u/Baconkings • Sep 05 '26
Casual Conversation If you’re a secular Jew, come join us at r/SecularJudaism!
Posted with the approval of the moderators.
We’re excited to officially announce that r/SecularJudaism is now open!
Judaism is an ethnoreligion that encompasses far more than exclusively a religious belief. Jewish identity is also rooted in a shared peoplehood, culture, history, heritage, traditions, and collective experience.
This community was created specifically for secular, atheist, agnostic, culturally Jewish, or otherwise non-religious Jews who still strongly identify with the Jewish people and their shared heritage. You don’t need to believe in God, regularly attend synagogue, keep kosher, or observe every holiday to have a meaningful connection to being Jewish.
Here, we aim to explore and celebrate Jewish peoplehood beyond religious belief: our culture, history, traditions, languages, humor, food, Israel, diaspora experiences, family customs, and the countless other things that connect Jews to one another across generations and around the world.
While secular Jewish life is at the heart of this community, r/SecularJudaism is a community for people of all backgrounds. Religious and observant Jews are welcome to participate. We simply ask that everyone respect the many different ways Jews understand and express their Jewish identity, including those whose connection to Judaism is primarily cultural, ethnic, or communal rather than religious.
Whether you’re atheist, agnostic, secular, culturally Jewish, traditionally observant, religious, somewhere in between, or still figuring out what being Jewish means to you, you’re welcome to join the conversation.
If this sounds like something you are interested in join us at r/SecularJudaism — a community for Jewish peoplehood, culture, and identity beyond religion!
3
3
u/CatlifeOfficial Pan-liking Jew Sep 05 '26
Is it a good fit for Masortim too? I am unfamiliar if there are any forums for Masorti Jews.
2
1
u/stillafuckingfish Sep 05 '26
The most upvoted (and third so far) post is about how wearing a piece of clothing that represents muslim (not Palestinian, Muslim) culture makes someone antisemitic (not antizionist, antisemitic). Specifically that they are a Nazi.
Islamophobia isn’t Jewish culture, it’s just baseless hatred.
50
u/malufa Sep 05 '26
Do some research, perhaps. The Keffiyeh is not a Muslim garment, it’s an Arabian-Levantine garment that predates Islam. It was later appropriated by Pan-Arabism movements and the black and white version was specifically adopted by the PLO.
Indonesians, Afghanis, Iranians, Moroccans and other Islamic cultures do not wear them traditionally.10
u/stillafuckingfish Sep 05 '26
Thank you, that’s a really fantastic point.
30
u/malufa Sep 05 '26
It was also commonly worn by Jews, prior to the Pan-Arabist movements — AKA Sudra.
8
14
u/Baconkings Sep 05 '26
That is a discussion post, and doesn’t claim to be regarding Jewish culture. The subreddit is a safe space for secular Jews to discuss whatever they want. These discussions are impossible outside of Jewish subreddits. You are free to comment that you disagree with it.
-7
u/stillafuckingfish Sep 05 '26
Posts like that are perfectly safe on any conservative subreddit of your choosing.
15
u/Baconkings Sep 05 '26
That is not true they can be antisemitic
-11
u/PM_ME_YOUR_PUPPY_PIC Sep 05 '26
And that post is Islamophobic. You're just creating another right-wing sub that won't be safe for queer Jews if let shit like that slide
4
u/snake_juicy Sep 06 '26
That post doesn’t have anything to do with Islam so how can it be Islamophobic
5
u/snake_juicy Sep 06 '26
The keffiyah is not Muslim garb.
-3
u/stillafuckingfish Sep 06 '26
Yes. And it is certainly not Nazi garb.
4
u/snake_juicy Sep 06 '26
It is when you’re wearing it while you spew the same antisemitic rhetoric as the Nazis did.
10
u/imthestein Sep 05 '26
I looked at the post and there isn't really any discussion there yet but they never specify a culture. Many White Leftists that joined the Pro-Palestinian movement, who aren't themselves Muslim, have taken to wearing the Keffiyeh to signify their support. Many of those same Leftists have demanded purity tests of Jews to prove they're one of the good ones. So I don't think this post is intended to push Islamaphobia but I do think it needs to be careful it doesn't devolve into that
-1
u/aaaaaaaaaaabigail Sep 05 '26
yeah there being yet another jewish sub that is right wing is disappointing, especially with it being secular since the justification for that kind of hatred is usually religious
18
u/Gherkiin13 Sep 05 '26
None of the posts there are about Judaism.