Secular House opens opposite Chabad House in Thailand

A secular facility called the Secular House opened on Ko Pha Ngan island in Thailand directly across from the local Chabad House. The site was established by an Israeli activist organization to offer non-religious programming for visiting Israelis. The Free Secular Movement, which advocates for secularism and the separation of religion and state in Israel, created the center.

It is positioned as an alternative gathering place for Israelis who do not participate in Chabad activities.

Planned activities The Secular House will host workshops on secular Jewish philosophy, Friday dinners focused on secular identity, yoga sessions, and readings from Baruch Spinoza. Additional offerings include discussions of Shulamit Aloni's ideas, seafood cooking classes, local Thai cuisine sessions, community evenings, networking events, social meetups, and a coworking space for digital nomads.

Stated rationale A secular Zionist activist and politician said the Secular House responds to Chabad Houses abroad, which the organization accuses of promoting religious outreach and belief in a dead rabbi as the Messiah. The same statement described Chabad Houses as using "sweet talk" to influence secular Israelis and said the new center aims to strengthen secular identity abroad.