Judaism

Judaism: An Introduction One of the oldest religions Christianity and Islam developed from Judaism First religion to teach the belief in one God Started in Israel

History of Judaism Began in the Middle East 3,500 years ago Founded by Abraham and Moses Eastern European Jews immigrated between 1881 and 1924 to the USA 6 million Jews were murdered in the Holocaust

Timeline 1900 BCE – Abraham, the founder of Judaism, rejects polytheism and begins the tradition of monotheism BCE- The Jews settle in the land of Israel The Nazi party takes power in Germany. The Jews are blamed for the country's misfortunes and are placed in concentration camps The Second World War rages. Hitler implemented "The Final Solution," the extermination of all Jews. In the Nazi concentration camps, more than six million Jews were tortured, gassed, starved or otherwise killed. The Nazis conquered most of Europe, destroying 1/3 of the Jewish population in the world The State of Israel is established.

Judaism: What Followers Believe One God Jewish people are specially chosen by God Worship in Synagogues Spiritual leaders are called Rabbis Jewish Holy Book is the TORAH

Jewish Observances Prayers  3 main daily prayer services  Prayers of thanksgiving, praise, and prayers to ask for things  Tallit (Jewish prayer shawl is worn)  Yarmulke is worn on the heads of Jewish men

Important Holy Days Sabbath: The Holy Day  Weekly day of rest  Sundown on Friday night to sundown on Saturday night High Holy Days:  Rosh Hashanah: Jewish New Year Festival  Days of Awe: 10 days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur  Yom Kippur: most sacred and solemn day  Passover  Other Festivals:  Hanukkah: Festival of Lights

Special Occasions Bar Mitzvah/Bat Mitzvah  Boys age 13, girls age 12  Read from the Torah & observe commandments Confirmation  High school  Signifies acceptance of faith

Jewish Dietary Law The Bible commands that Jewish people follow certain dietary rules Food is called Kosher Purpose of this food is for purity, holiness and health Do not eat pork or shellfish Do not mix meat and milk

Jewish Calendar Festivals move from year to year Start each day in the evening because God started each day in the evening when He created the world

Subdivisions of Judaism Humanistic Judaism Liberal Judaism Orthodox Judaism Reform Judaism Reconstructionist Judaism

Judaism Today 15 million followers worldwide, mostly in the USA and Israel 6.5 million followers in the USA Majority of Jewish people in the USA reside in the Northeast New Jersey has the second largest Jewish population after New York 6% of New Jersey residents are Jewish (504,861 people)