For the last 100 years, Secular Humanistic Judaism has captured the imagination and attention of Jews worldwide. Its message is even more compelling today. It speaks to thousands of Jews who are searching for an authentic way to affirm, maintain, and perpetuate their cultural Jewish identity in the modern age.

Secular Humanistic Jews understand Judaism as the human-centered history, culture, civilization, ethical values, and shared fate of the Jewish people. For us, the message of Jewish history is that we have the power and the responsibility to take control of our own fate.

Today, more than ever, secular Jews need a collective voice. This voice is expressed worldwide by The International Federation of Secular Humanistic Jews, which links national organizations in Israel, the United States, Canada, France, Belgium, Australia, Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay, and the countries of the former Soviet Union. Together, we affirm our Judaism, celebrate our Jewish identity, and fully participate in Jewish life.

What better way to underline this commitment and purpose than to hold our Eighth Biennial Conference in New York City, the largest Jewish metropolis in the world! New York 2000 brought together some of the world's leading voices on Secular Judaism at the historic Great Hall of Cooper Union, which has provided a forum for social and political reformers since the 1800s.