I’m a 35yo Ashkenazi atheist whose religious education ended at the age of 7. Our heritage and our religion are intertwined. How do I learn and experience that heritage without religion? Is a bar mitzvah inappropriate?

“Without religion” may be misspeaking – I don’t want to go to a synagogue and take part if my lack of faith would be disrespectful. I don’t know if a bar mitzvah can be a tradition that doesn’t involve praising a higher or, if I do so for tradition but without believing, if that would be disrespectful.

I’m Jewish, I want to know more and be more involved, I just don’t know how to do so. I’ve attended events and said some prayers and spoken words of thanks and mindfulness. I’ve danced a bit. I always feel apart, though, like an outsider, because I’m having to ask every step. I want to know things and take part autonomously.

Edit: a lot of wonderful replies alright but I think I should clarify a bit: I want to be a part of the modern culture. I know that isn’t all religious practice. I just don’t know where to start with that? I would love to know 3500 years of tradition but what does being in Jewish culture mean today?