ByMATHILDA HELLER
Updated:

A secular alternative to the Chabad House has opened in Thailand, providing a new base for visiting non-religious Israelis.

The 'Secular House' is the brainchild of the Free Secular Movement, an Israeli activist organization that promotes secularism and the separation of religion and state in Israel.

It has been set up directly opposite the local Chabad House on the island of Ko Pha Ngan.

The Free Secular Movement actively opposes Chabad and the concept of Chabad Houses abroad, accusing Chabad of "pushing religious outreach and belief in a dead rabbi as the Messiah."

Secular Zionist activist and politician Naor Narkis said, "We all know the phenomenon: Chabad Houses spread across the world, reaching out to secular young Israelis with guitars and cheap food, and through that they promote religious outreach, belief in the “Messiah King,” and their vision of turning Israel into a religious state governed by Jewish law - all for a bowl of lentils."

Israelis and Jews gather at the Chabad House in Chiang Mai, Thailand, which is run by the Chabad Lubavitch Jews. Many of the Israeli backpackers visit the Chabad community centres in Chiang Mai, Bangkok, and Koh Sumui. There, they meet other Israelis, learn about each other's trip in Thailand.
Israelis and Jews gather at the Chabad House in Chiang Mai, Thailand, which is run by the Chabad Lubavitch Jews. Many of the Israeli backpackers visit the Chabad community centres in Chiang Mai, Bangkok, and Koh Sumui. There, they meet other Israelis, learn about each other's trip in Thailand. (credit: NATI SHOHAT/FLASH90)

A response to 'religious indoctrination'

"The purpose of these Chabad Houses, through sweet talk, is to shape generations of secular Israelis into becoming indifferent to attempts by Chabad-Lubavitch to take over Israel."

He said that the Secular House was created as a response to this alleged phenomenon.

It is set to host workshops on secular Jewish philosophy, Friday dinners centered around secular identity, yoga sessions and readings from the writings of Baruch Spinoza, discussions of the ideas of Shulamit Aloni, seafood cooking workshops, local Thai cuisine, community evenings, networking, social meetups, and a coworking space for digital nomads.

"In recent years, we’ve seen the infiltration of extreme religious ideas into the halls of government - and acceptance of religious ideology always begins with this kind of sweet talk. Religious organizations are present everywhere Israelis are found; their strategy is transparent and clear - and I’m so happy that a secular foothold is now being planted thousands of kilometers away from Israel in order to strengthen secular identity," he said.