Our congregation would like to respond to Janet Weinberg's letter "Humanistic Jews misleading name" (CHN Oct. 4). As Humanistic Jews, we believe Judaism encompasses more than a faith in God.

Humanistic Jews view their Judaism as a family identity -- a family they are either born into or choose to become a part of. Just as there are special bonds within most families, there are cultural, linguistic and ethical bonds that connect all Jews. It is upon these foundations that Humanistic Judaism structures a meaningful personal and community philosophy of life and belief system.

Jews in the United States and around the world hold many different religious and philosophical beliefs. As in many congregations of many different faiths, some Humanistic Jews believe in God and some don't. The question of God's existence is not the focus of our energies. Rather, we focus on increasing the well-being of others ( tzedakah), performing acts of loving kindness (gemilut chasadim), pursuing justice, countering oppression, and making the world a better place ( tikkun olam). We advance these moral and ethical goals using education and reasoning to better understand the world around us.

Our philosophy traces its roots to the most universal elements of Judaism as a culture: learning, questioning and compassion. We see Judaism as a tent big enough to allow all who identify with the history, culture, ethics and future of the Jewish people to stand inside together.

The Board of Kol Haskalah

A Humanistic Jewish Congregation