1. judaism

2. Founder/Origin/Location
Abraham
BCE
Middle East (Israel)

3. Holidays/clothing/holy book/branches
Passover
Yom Kippur
Rosh Hashanah
(Hannukah, Purim, Sukkot)
Yarmulka for men in synagogues (kippah)
Orthodox/Hasidic  black and white
Women covered up
Torah (Talmud)
Orthodox
Conservative
Reform
Reconstruction

4. Creation Myth/God Adam and Eve created by God Earth created in 6 days
Monotheistic, omnipresent
All-powerful omnipotent
All-knowing omniscient
Very respectful of God – do not say or write his name
Jews are the “Chosen People”

5. Holy cities/Today/Hierarchy/Other Supernatural beings
Jerusalem-Western Wall
Israel- Holy Land
Synagogue
14 million- mostly in US, Europe, and Israel
Israel/Palestine issue
Anti-Semitism
Rabbis leader of synagogues
Men & women separated in Orthodox synagogues
Cannot be Jewish unless mother is Jewish
Angels/Demons

6. Basic Beliefs One God, who is all-powerful
Covenant between God and the Jews- “Israel” given in exchange for worship
Jewish people are Chosen by God
Still awaiting the Messiah who will be a person, not a god
People have free will
All people are equal
When the Messiah comes, the dead will be resurrected

7. Rituals/rules/rites of passage
Circumcision for boys (Brit)
Bar/Bat Mitzvah
Fasting on holy days
Shiva- mourning period after death
Weekly Sabbath is on Saturday
Ten Commandments
Eat kosher- no pork or shellfish
613 mitzvot (laws)

8. Salvation/Afterlife
Follow the Commandments and worship God
Heaven