More than 315 Secular Jews from 13 countries gathered in Brussels, Belgium in September during the exciting and compelling Ninth Biennial Conference of the International Federation of Secular Humanistic Jews. The conference theme, "The Challenge of the Diaspora" explored the relationship among Israel, America and Europe, as well as issues facing European Jews such as the recent increase in anti-Semitic acts.

Secular Humanistic Jewish communities thrive in many countries, including Belgium, where the conference was hosted at the historic secular Jewish community center, the Centre Communautaire Laïc Juif (CCLJ) in Brussels. There are 60 secular Jewish communities throughout North America. The conference brought together many secular Jews interested in establishing communities in their country where secular and Humanistic Jews can fully engage in Jewish life using words and music that are consistent with their secular beliefs. Guests attended from Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, the United States and Uruguay.

Since the inception of the International Federation in 1986, a proclamation has been issued at the close of each biennial conference. During the closing ceremony of the conference, the IFSHJ issued a proclamation on The Challenge of the Diaspora and The New Anti-Semitism. The full text is available at www.ifshj.org/statement02.html