1. An over 3,500 year old tradition…
The Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (“Israel”) – origins of the Hebrew people (more than 3,500 years ago)
Enslaved in ancient Egypt and freed by Moses (more than 3300 years ago)
Hebrew monarchy in the “Promised Land” (The Land of Israel), ends 6th century BCE

2. As a faith, Jews Believe…
In one God, creator of the universe, personal but non-corporeal
In prophets of old – especially Moses, through whom Torah was revealed to the Hebrew people
In Torah (first five books of the Bible), containing religious, moral and social law which guides the life of a Jew
the Hebrew Bible does not include the New Testament

3. Terms
Abraham- The Hebrew patriarch from whom all Jews trace their descent
The first founder of Judaism
Physical and spiritual ancestor of the Jewish people
Father of the faith
Moses- He is the most important prophet in Judaism. Moses is the leader who freed them from slavery in Egypt. Moses protected the Jews from the wrath of God, and negotiated with God on their behalf. 
Covenant- is an agreement found in the bible between God and His people in which God makes specific promises and demands
Diaspora- the dispersion of Jews outside of Israel
When they were exiled they were sent to Babylonia until present time

4. Terms Synagogue- House of worship for Jewish congregation
Rabbi- A Jewish scholar or teacher especially one who studies or teaches Jewish law. A person appointed as a Jewish religious leader.
Synagogue- House of worship for Jewish congregation
The place of worship and communal center of a Jewish congregation
Men and women usually sit separately in the Synagogues
Ethical Monotheism- is a term used to describe a belief in one God who guides humanity through ethical principles. This can be seen as distinct from monotheistic beliefs which may be based on dogma or doctrines. Ethical monotheists sometimes believe that all ethical standards are derived from God and they are thus dependent upon the divine in this way.

5. Terms
Torah- the most holy Jewish book. It’s the first five books of the Hebrew Bible
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Torah is stored inside the Ark and no one is allowed to touch the Torah
Talmud- The book of Jewish law- Jewish Holy Book
Collection of ancient Jewish writings that forms the basis of Jewish religious law, consisting of the early scriptural interpretations and the later commentaries
Yahweh- Hebrew name of God
The Wailing Wall- Thought by the Jews to be the most scared of places, temple itself was thought to be the place where God resides on earth

6. What Jews believe
Jews believe that there is a single God who not only created the universe, but with whom every Jew can have an individual and personal relationship
They also believe that their Savior has not come yet
They believe that everyone was created in the image of God
For this reason every person is equally important and has an infinite potential to do good in the world

7. As a people, Jews are… A nation in Diaspora (dispersed)
15 – 16 million in worldwide population
United by a common heritage (an “ethnic” religion), divided in contemporary practice:
Orthodox:
Modern
Chasidic (Ultra Orthodox)
Reformed (18th century Germany)
Conservative – moderates, response to reform
Reconstructionalism (20th century America)

8. As a way of life, Judaism is based on…
613 commandments found in Torah (“Written Law”)
Talmud (“Oral Law”) – commentary of ancient rabbis that elaborates on how to apply God’s Law in everyday life through:
Dietary rules (Kashrut/Kosher)
Dress and other symbols
Prayer and devotion to the one God
The Temple and Temple rites
Observance of Holy days
Proper social relations between male and female, in business, judicial rulings, etc.
Thus sanctifying life, blessing it in every way

9. How does Judaism sanctify time?
The Jewish Holidays:
High Holidays:
Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year)
Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)
Pesach (“Passover”) – commemorates the exodus from Egypt (events told in Exodus)
Chanukah, the “Festival of Lights”
Bar/Bat Mitzvah- Coming of age ceremonies (13 for boys ,12 for girls)

10. What are Jews really concerned about?
Tikkun Olam - “repairing this world” through justice and righteousness; through “deed, not creed”
The heart of Judaism is in the home and family, social responsibility and doing Mitzvot (“good deeds” based on God’s commandments)
Through education and hard work we make our lives, the lives of others, and the world, what God intended it to be – Holy!

11. Magen David Star of David Was on the shields of David’s warriors
Symbol on the Flag of the state of Israel
Used throughout the world as a clear and unique identifying symbol of Jews and Judaism

12. Menorah Seven (or nine) branched candleholder
One of the oldest Jewish symbols—one of the ritual objects described in the Torah
Today the nine branched menorah is used in celebration of Chanukah
The seven branched menorah is the authentic ancient symbol (one for each of the 6 days of creation and 1 for sabbath)

13. Mezuzah Blessing for the home or other building/room
Metal box placed on the right doorframe of a house, apartment, or business.
Has religious scripture inside
Good luck

14. Mazal Tov Means good luck or congratulations
Particularly used for significant life events (ie. Bar Mitzvahs, weddings, birthdays, etc.)

15. Orthodox Judaism Mainstream Judaism
Belief in the direct revelation of divine law which was recorded in the Torah
It is eternal, unchanging, and the sole guide for life
Carefully and strictly observe the commandments as the direct will of God
Ultra-Orthodox assert that complete separation from secular society

16. Chasidism (Hasidism)—Sect of Orthodox
Famous for their dress. From eastern Europe in the early 18th C. Emphasizes both contemplative meditation and fervent joy.

17. Reform Judaism Early 19th C. Germany
Assert authorship of Torah to Divinely inspired human beings
Modern worship mostly in vernacular

18. Conservative Judaism Response to Reform mid to late 19th C. Europe
Agree that change was necessary but felt Reform had eliminated too many basic Jewish practices
Motto is “tradition and change”
Fiddler on the Roof

19. Reconstructionist Judaism
Early 1920s in US by Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan
Judaism is not merely a religion, but an evolving religious civilization, a peoplehood, a culture, as well as a faith community

20. All of Judaism To accept Torah and fulfill its mitzvot
To embrace the ethical mandate of Judaism
To regulate existence to Judaism’s rituals & observances
To support Jewish causes
To be a devoted member of the Jewish community
To maintain a bond and a sense of mutual interdependence with the Jewish Land
To feel a connection to Jewish history
To be committed to the creative survival of the Jewish future

21. Torah
Creation: God Created the Universe and everything in it, The covenant was created between God and Humanity (specifically between God and the Jewish people)
Redemption: Israelites were saved from bondage in Egypt (in order to experience revelation)
Revelation: God gave his 613 mitzvot as a standard for conduct and behavior
Mixed with ritual practices this provides the framework of lifestyle for all humanity.

22. Torah
Genesis (Bereshit): contains stories of creation, records the establishment of the covenant between God and the Jewish people, tells of the lives of the patriarchs and matriarchs
Exodus (Sh’mot): account of Israelites enslaved in Egypt, the exodus from Egypt, the receiving of the 10 Commandments at Mt. Sinai
Leviticus (Vayikra): gives God’s ethical and ritual laws and specific instructions to priests on how to perform their duties
Numbers (Bamidbar): recounts the of the Israelites through the desert and gives more of God’s ethical and ritual laws
Deuteronony (Devarim): Moses reviews the laws and the people prepare to enter the promised land.

23. Talmud Is the combined Mishnah and Gemara
Largest compilation of post-biblical law
Remains the basic and central document of post-biblical law
Talmud is studied:
For the practical application of its laws
For its mind-expanding challenges in logic and reasoning
For its total immersion in Jewish concerns
For its wisdom and insights into the human experience
And for the simple love of learning and growing

24. How is Judaism related to Christianity?
Judaism predates Christianity – it is the foundation of Christianity but is not a part of it
Jesus was Jewish, as were his followers and the Apostles
Jews do not believe that Jesus was anything more than a good and wise man who lived and died 2000 years ago – Jews still await their messiah
The Jewish messiah would not be divine. He would be a political figure who restores the Hebrew monarchy and causes peace to reign on Earth
Jews are not concerned about salvation and the “world to come”