Here are hj list postings on the subject of the formal structure of organizations related to Humanistic Judaism. Posts included here by Jane Goldhamer (posted by W. Hellman) Judith Seid Miriam Jerris ........................................................................ From hellman@teleport.comThu Nov 9 19:29:32 1995 Date: Sat, 21 Oct 1995 16:41:20 -0700 (PDT) From: Walter Hellman To: hj@teleport.com Subject: Organizational Structure of Humanistic Judaism Hello All, We have seen initials such as 'SHJ' and 'CSJO' related to the organizational structure of Humanistic Judaism. I thought these could be confusing (they are to me!) as far as what the role is of these different organizations. I asked Jane Goldhamer if she would volunteer to research this topic (she is the Secretary of SHJ and Chair of the Communications Committee). Jane has sent me the following as a result. If anyone in individual organizations would like to add to, or modify the list, please post or let me know. Any modifications will be made and the article posted in the archive under the filename, structure.hj. Thanks very much to Jane for getting us started. Walter Hellman hj list operator ..................................................................... >From goldhamr@teleport.comSat Oct 21 16:30:42 1995 Date: Sat, 21 Oct 1995 11:18:43 -0700 (PDT) From: "M. Michael Goldhamer" To: Walter Hellman Subject: Secular Humanistic Judaism, Structure & Functions SOCIETY FOR HUMANISTIC JUDAISM (SHJ) SHJ was established in 1969 to create a meaningful humanistic alternative in Jewish life. It is an organization that promotes a particular philosophy, with a set of affirmations and a commitment to a Movement within Jewish life. There are 23 communities currently affiliated with the SHJ, and some others in the formative stage. SHJ also has members at large who are not members of a local community. The Society is governed by a Board of Directors which meets twice yearly, with a third meeting for the Executive Committee. Each affiliated community may chose its own representative, in addition to the slate offered by the nominating committee. SHJ is staffed by a fulltime Executive Director, a parttime Community Development Director, a part time journal editor, and a secretary. Publications are Humanistic Judaism, a journal issued three times a year, a a newsletter, Humanorah. CONGRESS OF SECULAR JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS (CSJO) The CSJO was founded in 1970, has several Canadian communities, does not train rabbis, and has more concentration on "yiddishkeit." INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF SECULAR HUMANISTIC JEWS (IFSHJ) The world expression of the Movement is the IFSHJ, consisting of eight national organizations in the U.S., Canada, Britain, France, Israel, Australia, Russia, and South America. Mexico is expected to join in soon. The four regions of the IFSHJ are North America, Latin America, Europe, and Israel. NORTH AMERICAN SECTION (NAS) The North American Section comprises two organizations: the Society for Humanistic Judaism (SHJ) and the Congress of Secular Jewish Organizations (CSJO), each with its own structure and governing body. Both organizations are engaged in building new communities, education of adults and children, and creating holiday and life cycle ceremonies and materials. A Board of Delegates consisting of delegates and officers of SHJ and CSJO plans joint activities and publications of the North American Section of IFSHJ. INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR SECULAR HUMANISTIC JUDAISM (IISHJ) This is the chief project of the International Federation. IISHJ is the intellectual center of the Movement, with the responsibility of training leaders and teachers and providing philosophical and cultural knowledge to all its members. It offers training programs for rabbis and lay leaders, continuing education classels, conferences, and colloquia for members of the constituent organizations of the Federation. LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE OF SECULAR AND HUMANISTIC JEWS The Conference is a professional organization for rabbis, leaders, teachers, and students in the training programs. It is the certifying body for persons completing courses of studhy leading to given levels of leadership, including rabbis. FUND FOR HUMANISTIC JUDAISM The Fund was established in 1990 to support the SHJ and the IISHJ. goldhamr@teleport.COM Public Access User --- Not affiliated with Teleport Public Access UNIX and Internet at (503) 220-1016 (2400-14400, N81) ........................................................................ From JudithSeid@aol.comThu Nov 9 19:29:32 1995 Date: Sat, 21 Oct 1995 20:31:24 -0400 From: JudithSeid@aol.com To: hj@teleport.com Subject: Re: Organizational Structure of Secular Humanistic Judaism The CSJO is made up of 26 member organizations and also includes at-large members. Many of the CSJO organizations date from the immediate post-World War II years. Most were in existence before the formal organization of the Congress. Other organizations, such as shules and fraternal groups, were members of an earlier encarnation of CSJO. Some of these groups have lived out their life cycle. Others have metamorphosed into other groups now affiliated. CSJO is governed by an Executive Board formed of two members from each affiliate plus three members at large, representing teens, young adults, and associate members (those who belong to no local community). Day-to-day governance is by an Executive Committe, composed of the Executive Director, President, Treasurer and four members elected by the Executive Board. Active committees include Publications (quarterly newsletter, new Fall Holidays Guide, and forthcoming book of never-before translated Yiddish stories), Outreach and Social Action. Social action statements from the CSJO are available upon request. The CSJO sponsors a yearly conference attended by about 150 people, close to half of whom are teens and young adults. The conference is held yearly on Memorial Day weekend (US). SHJ members are invited to attend. ........................................................................ Date: Sun, 22 Oct 1995 17:55:54 -0400 From: Msjerris@aol.com To: hellman@teleport.com Cc: hj@teleport.com Subject: Re: Organizational Structure of Humanistic Judaism Thanks Walter and Jane for posting the information about the organizations which make up the movement. I also want to thank Judith Seid for elaborating on the structure of the CSJO. The only thing I would point out is that neither the SHJ or the CSJO trains rabbis. The IISHJ trains rabbis and both the CSJO and SHJ are in coalition in that organization. There is no difference between the CSJO and the SHJ vis a vis the training of rabbis. The difference may lie in the fact that 2 SHJ communities have full-time rabbis while none of the CSJO affiliates have full-time rabbis. Miriam Jerrris, Rabbinic Program Director IISHJ