2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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

11. Pesach Rosh Hashanah Jewish Festivals Hanukkah Yom Kippur11

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

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

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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
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.

20. 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

21. 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.