In the beginning of the twentieth century, after turning down the pulpit of Temple Emmanuel in Manhattan because they wanted to censor his sermons, Rabbi Stephen Wise founded the first free synagogue. It allowed the rabbi and congregation free rein to inquire, explore and create. It was a synagogue that was to be “pewless and dueless”. The Bucks County Free Synagogue begins here, however, like Bucks County itself, it will be special, one-of-a-kind and expansive.

For one thing, The Bucks County Free Synagogue will never formally affiliate with any of the current denominations within Judaism. Ours will be a free-thinker’s synagogue—aligned to the seeking of Truth, God, the Mystery-of-Life, the Holy One, Spirit, Goodness, Harmony, Unity, Oneness, Divine Love, Whateveryoucallit—in all sorts of wonderful, creative, human, socially-conscious, peace-seeking and thought-provoking ways.

For another thing, we require no pedigrees or conversions (unless you’d like one). While deeply-rooted in the Hebrew Biblical tradition, our approach is totally-universal, equally-welcoming to Jews, non-Jews, and inter-faith families, with no restrictions.

What does FREE mean?

For the Bucks County Free Synagogue, “free” means “freedom of expression”. Feel free to say and be what you believe and are—with some discretion for the tender ears of children or people with heart-conditions. “Free” means the “freedom to search” for the meaning to life, your own way. We applaud diversity; we don’t condemn it, constrict it or control it. We’re not talking a ghetto or cult here in the name of "religion" or "God".

“Free” means “free of charge”; there will never be dues or building funds; no tickets for the high holidays. Money, no less than anything else, must be governed by time-honored spiritual principles, or we split the One God into two. 

“Free” means “free association” in a comfortable fellowship that fits your lifestyle. No judgment. No pressure. No coercion. Feel free to bring your cheeseburgers to schul; if God is “Abundant in Truth” (Exodus 34:7), hiding your love of cheeseburgers is hypocrisy, not truth.

“Free” means “free society”. We seek to protect and perpetuate the spiritual genius of the ancient Hebrews that’s the foundation of the American Constitution. We strive for a truly open forum to discuss the events of our times, and, as a loving family, to be a “light unto the nations”.

Last but certainly not least: “Free” means the freely-sought journey towards Freedom Itself. What IS Freedom, anyway? That which is Unlimited, Unrestricted, Unboundaried—The Infinite One, the Origin, “God”, whatever your particular word for Him/Her/It is. If you can’t find that in a synagogue, then who needs a synagogue, anyway?

A Living Experience

The Bucks County Free Synagogue is intended to be a living experience for people of all ages, educational backgrounds and spiritual experience. It’s designed to assist people, non-Jew or Jew, to explore their diverse and sometimes contradictory backgrounds.

Maybe you had a traditional education, but never found it meaningful. Maybe you experimented with Buddhism, native American shamanism, or theosophy. Maybe you approached the One Mystery through mathematics, psychology, economics, etc. Maybe you contacted the Source-of-All-Inspiration though art, literature and music. These days, there are Jews who discovered the meaning of Judaism in ashrams. There are Christians who follow the authentic Jewish teachings of Jesus, but don’t accept him as “God”.

But, there’s no reason to believe in God at all; atheists are joyfully welcome. They often demonstrate the hallmark of prophetic consciousness: The refusal to worship false idols!

For all of these people and more, the Bucks County Free Synagogue takes a unique approach to learning.  When all is said and done, Life is our best teacher.  Not books.  Not tradition.  Not rabbis.  The Bucks County Free Synagogue puts the spiritual experience of Life first; all other stuff is a "footnote" to that.