DENOMINATIONS of Jews Orthodox – The majority of Jews in Britain are Orthodox Jews. They believe that God gave Moses the whole Torah at Mount Sinai. Modern Orthodox Jews live by the Jewish laws but incorporate modern society. However Ultra-Orthodox Jews do live strictly by the laws but live separately and do not integrate with in modern society Conservative – Conservative Jews believe that the Torah did come from God but also contain human input. They live by the Jewish laws but do include some aspects of modern culture and society Reform – Reform Jews believe that the Torah was created by different human sources and then later combined. They do not live by the Laws but do adopt some practises and cultures of the Jewish Laws

Scriptures & Religious Writing Tenakh – This is the Hebrew bible and is a collection of Jewish scripture and includes the Torah, the Psalms and the Prophets Torah – The Torah is a sacred text of Jewish people and it includes the laws that most Jewish people live by. These Laws are called the 10 commandments. There are two different versions of the Torah, these are called the Mishnah & the Talmud. Both of these versions are studied as part of the religion

Synagogue The synagogue is an important part of the Jewish faith. It is a building that is used for prayer and worship but is also used for education and social activities Services are held every day in the Synagogue and Jews are meant to pray three times a day. Morning services are held very early so people can go to work and there are also afternoon and evening services Jewish teachers called Rabbis run the services which usually last between 20 and 45 minutes, however during Shabbat & festivals services are longer

Daily Life Most Jewish people experience their religion throughout daily life. Their religion influences their choices during their daily lives, for example when they pray and what they eat.

The Mezuzah A Mezuzah is a scroll of parchment which is sealed in a case It is put on the right doorpost, and designates a home as Jewish They are often decorated in a colourful way Many Jewish people think they are a source of ‘Divine Protection’ for the home. Some Jewish people just have a Mezuzah on their front doorposts, while others believe they should be on every doorpost in the house.

Jewish Food The majority of Jewish people eat Kosher food, which is prepared in a certain way, and prepared in accordance with the Jewish Dietary Laws Today, Kosher certification labels are printed on packages of Kosher food Kosher Foods Non-Kosher Foods Cattle Sheep Chicken Goose Duck Cod Turkey Salmon Tuna Clam Crab Lobster Oyster Shrimp Snail For example, Meat must be properly salted to remove all blood.

Skull Caps The skull cap is also known as the ‘kippah’ or ‘kippa’ The skull cap is usually made of cloth, and Jewish law says that a man is required to wear a kippah during prayer Very Orthodox Jewish women wear wigs to cover their hair This is not very specific, so some men wear skull caps all day, every day, while others wear skull caps just during prayer.

The Star of David is a six-pointed star made up of two triangles It is a significant symbol of Judaism and Jewish identity The Star of David

Shabbat (Sabbath) The Jewish day of rest Begins with the lighting of candle and the Sabbath meal on Friday evenings No work is done, no money is carried or business is transacted Time is spent with family and the creation of life is celebration

Pesach Rosh Hashanah Jewish Festivals Hanukkah Yom Kippur 11

It’s also a chance for forgiveness for wrongdoings It lasts for two days and commemorates the creation of the world. Its celebrated in the month of September The people believe that God balances a person’s good deeds against their bad and decides upon this what will happen next year It’s a chance for Jewish people to ask questions about themselves and about the events over the last year It’s also a chance for forgiveness for wrongdoings People spend most of their time in a Synagogue during Rosh Hashanah. At the Synagogue a special horn (shofar) is blown. This starts a ten day period called Days of Awe Following the service a special meal is eaten at home 12

It signifies the end of the 10 days (Days of Awe) During Yom Kippur Jews fast for 25 hours in the month of September It’s a day where people ask for forgiveness from God Jewish people mark Yom Kippur in different ways: Many wear white as a symbol of purity No make-up or perfume is worn No sex No bathing Most of the day is spent in the synagogue where 5 services are carried out through the day. Even the less religious Jews attend The sound of the Shofar ends this special day

Jewish people remember how the children of Israel left slavery behind them in Egypt Moses rescued these children and warned the Egyptian Pharaohs about the ten plagues Jewish people were told to cover the door’s in lambs blood, so the plague would ‘pass over’ them The celebration last for 7 to 8 days in the month March-April The night before passover a special family meals takes place ‘Seder’. This meal celebrates the freedom from slavery During the meal the story of the Israeli children is told from the Haggadah. Each person will read some of this book

The Jewish festival of lights in the month of December Hanukkah means rededication and celebrates one of the greatest miracles in Jewish history

Rites of passage Most Jewish people experience their religion throughout daily life. Their religion influences their choices during their daily lives, for example when they pray and what they eat.

Brit Milah Eight days after birth all Jewish baby boys are circumcised Carried out by trained Mohel This celebration is called a Brit. The baby’s father thanks God and a prayer is said introducing the boy’s Jewish name Ritual circumcision, is a symbol of the Jewish partnership with God It is a joyous event. The custom is not to invite people, but to notify them of the time and place. The mohel recites the blessing and performs the circumcision on the baby Etched in the flesh of our physical bodies, the covenant will never end or be forgotten. Jews trace this ritual back to Abraham, who was said to have circumsised himself after the instruction from God.

Bar Mitzvah Celebrated when a boy reaches 13 years old Considered to be an adult in religious terms The translation is “son of commandment” The boy has to spend many months preparing Some Jewish movements celebrate a girl coming of age, this is called a Bat Mitzvah The term Bar Mitzvah refers to the boy himself becoming of age, the ceremony and also the after party. He’s therefore responsibile for himself and his observance to God. He is considered morally and ethically responsible for his own decisions. The child will spend many months preparing for his bar mitzvah spending time with a Rabbi. The amount of participation in the ceremony depends on the Jewish movement. A girls coming of age is celebrated at 12 years old.

Marriage Weddings can not take place on the Sabbath or on any festival or holy day and often takes place under a Hupah (canopy), symbolising the couples new home Before the service the bridegroom and male guests are led in to the bride’s chambers for a badekan (veiling) ceremony The wedding celebration is very lively often with Israeli folk music The "Hora," or traditional dance of celebration is performed http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Hdz2oX_yLY Most Jewish Wedding Traditions are consistent among the denominations. This is a marriage contract outlining the grooms resposiblility to the bride. It is signed by the groom and two witnesses. It does not however hold any legal significance. The groom checks his bride and then places her veil. This tradition is traced back to the biblical story of Abraham marrying Sarah, her father aledgedly replaced her with her elder sister, and covered her with a thick veil. The dance most widely known is when the bride and groom are lifted in chairs on the shoulders of their guests. Sometimes the couple will be whirled around each other, holding the ends of a handkerchief or they may be paraded around the room.

Death Jews are buried as soon as possible after death because they believe in the resurrection The body is washed, anointed and wrapped in a white sheet The body is buried in Jewish consecrated ground The family then observe a period of mourning noun (Christianity) ground that has been made or declared sacred or holy, and which is suitable for Christian burial

Summary - Key facts Jesus was a Jew and his family followed Jewish customs. His followers believed him to be the Messiah as predicted in the Jewish bible Christianity then separated itself from it’s Jewish origins Judaism can be described as a religion, race, culture and a nation. All of these descriptions have some validity. Judaism is a way of life Religion: Some atheists are insistent that they are Jews even if they do not believe in the religion Race: In the 80’s the USA ruled the Jewish to be a race, although many were not happy as it brought back fears of the Nazi Germany Culture: American Jews think of their Jewishness as a matter of culture, thinking of food, language and festivals. Nation: In the Torah Jews are explained as a Nation.