1. World Religions: Judaism

2. Our Experiences Take Two Sticky Notes: Take Two Sticky Notes: Write on #1: What I admire about Judaism/the Jewish People Write on #1: What I admire about Judaism/the Jewish People Write on #2: A stereotype I have about Judaism/the Jewish People Write on #2: A stereotype I have about Judaism/the Jewish People

3. Understanding Judaism Basics A monotheistic religion A monotheistic religion Draws its roots from scriptures Draws its roots from scriptures A “rabbinic” tradition of ongoing interpretation A “rabbinic” tradition of ongoing interpretation A diverse history of experiences lived among other dominant cultures A diverse history of experiences lived among other dominant cultures

4. A large library of law, ritual practice, and lore A large library of law, ritual practice, and lore A modern national identity linked to a specific land and culture A modern national identity linked to a specific land and culture A diverse sense of ethnicity that allows for ‘secular’ Jews. A diverse sense of ethnicity that allows for ‘secular’ Jews. Understanding Judaism Basics

5. Three Basic Concepts: #1 God is… The Creator of the universe The Creator of the universe The Redeemer from Egyptian slavery The Redeemer from Egyptian slavery The Revealer of Torah (Law) The Revealer of Torah (Law) Humankind is the purposeful creation of God Humankind is the purposeful creation of God Jews are in a covenant relationship with God, both personal and as a community. Observing the Mitzvot – Commandments – links Jews as individuals within a community to God Jews are in a covenant relationship with God, both personal and as a community. Observing the Mitzvot – Commandments – links Jews as individuals within a community to God

6. Three Basic Concepts: #2 Torah is… The Law and Teachings of God. The Law and Teachings of God. The Five Books of Moses (Genesis – Deuteronomy) The Five Books of Moses (Genesis – Deuteronomy) Scripture provides the initial 613 Mitzvot, which are continually interpreted by rabbinic authorities in every age. Scripture provides the initial 613 Mitzvot, which are continually interpreted by rabbinic authorities in every age. As revealed on Mt. Sinai, the primary source for interpretations of behavior, theology, and ethics. As revealed on Mt. Sinai, the primary source for interpretations of behavior, theology, and ethics. Includes practices for Sabbath observance, wedding ceremonies, ethical guides, and liturgical services. Includes practices for Sabbath observance, wedding ceremonies, ethical guides, and liturgical services.

7. Three Basic Concepts: #3 Israel is… laer;Xo.yI #r,a, Eretz Yisrael (The geographic land of Israel) laer;Xo.yI #r,a, Eretz Yisrael (The geographic land of Israel) The Community of People from the time of Scripture until now The Community of People from the time of Scripture until now The community of Israel live all over the world, speak many languages, worship in different types of synagogues, and follow different interpretations of the law The community of Israel live all over the world, speak many languages, worship in different types of synagogues, and follow different interpretations of the law All of the Nation of Israel is Jewish, all Jews are “Israelites,” but not all Jews are connected to the political state. All of the Nation of Israel is Jewish, all Jews are “Israelites,” but not all Jews are connected to the political state.

8. Jewish Denominations/Sects

9. Orthodox Judaism: The most traditional expression of modern Judaism. Orthodox Jews believe the entire Torah - including "Written” (the the Pentateuch), and "Oral," (the Talmud). Orthodox Judaism: The most traditional expression of modern Judaism. Orthodox Jews believe the entire Torah - including "Written” (the the Pentateuch), and "Oral," (the Talmud). Reject the changes of all of the various reformist changes to Judaism and believe firmly in the traditional Jewish beliefs and practices. Reject the changes of all of the various reformist changes to Judaism and believe firmly in the traditional Jewish beliefs and practices. Continue traditions of their ancestors, such as the dietary laws, traditional prayers and ceremonies, regular and intensive study of the Torah, and separation of men and women in the synagogue. Continue traditions of their ancestors, such as the dietary laws, traditional prayers and ceremonies, regular and intensive study of the Torah, and separation of men and women in the synagogue. Strictly observe the Sabbath and religious festivals Strictly observe the Sabbath and religious festivals About 7 % percent of American Jews are Orthodox. About 7 % percent of American Jews are Orthodox.

10. Reform Judaism: known as the most liberal denomination. Founded in Germany in 1800s Reform Judaism: known as the most liberal denomination. Founded in Germany in 1800s Organized under the Union for Reform Judaism in America. Reform Judaism whose mission is "to create and sustain vibrant Jewish congregations wherever Reform Jews live.” Organized under the Union for Reform Judaism in America. Reform Judaism whose mission is "to create and sustain vibrant Jewish congregations wherever Reform Jews live.” About 1.5 million Jews in 900 synagogues are members of the Union for Reform Judaism. About 1.5 million Jews in 900 synagogues are members of the Union for Reform Judaism. About 35% of American Jews regard themselves as Reform. About 35% of American Jews regard themselves as Reform. Interpretations of traditions laws are not as strict in terms of : dietary laws, dress, instruments in worship, language used in worship. Interpretations of traditions laws are not as strict in terms of : dietary laws, dress, instruments in worship, language used in worship. Women may be rabbis, cantors, and synagogue presidents and intermarried families are accepted. Women may be rabbis, cantors, and synagogue presidents and intermarried families are accepted. Jewish Denominations/Sects

11. Conservative Judaism: a moderate denomination that seeks to avoid the extremes of both, Orthodox and Reform Judaism. Conservative Judaism: a moderate denomination that seeks to avoid the extremes of both, Orthodox and Reform Judaism. Seeks to conserve the traditional elements of Judaism while also allowing for reasonable modernization and rabbinical development. Seeks to conserve the traditional elements of Judaism while also allowing for reasonable modernization and rabbinical development. Founded on the teachings of Zacharias Frankel (1800s) Founded on the teachings of Zacharias Frankel (1800s) Observe the Sabbath and dietary laws, although a few modifications have been made to the latter. Women may also be rabbis. Observe the Sabbath and dietary laws, although a few modifications have been made to the latter. Women may also be rabbis. Believe in the importance of Jewish nationalism and they encourage the study of Hebrew. Believe in the importance of Jewish nationalism and they encourage the study of Hebrew. Jewish Denominations/Sects

12. Hasidic Judaism: founded in the 12 th century as a movement that focused on simplicity and mystical experience born out of love and humility before God. Hasidic Judaism: founded in the 12 th century as a movement that focused on simplicity and mystical experience born out of love and humility before God. The modern Hasidic movement was founded in Poland in the 18 th century. It is heavily influenced by the Kabbalah movement and focuses on personal experiences of God instead of religious education and ritual. The modern Hasidic movement was founded in Poland in the 18 th century. It is heavily influenced by the Kabbalah movement and focuses on personal experiences of God instead of religious education and ritual. Modern Hasidic Judaism has specific dress codes. Modern Hasidic Judaism has specific dress codes. The leader in Hasidic Judaism is known as a Rebbe or Tzaddik. A Rebbe does not necessarily have to be ordained. However, the Rebbe is considered especially enlightened and close to God. The Rebbe is looked to for guidance in all aspects of life, from interpreting the Torah to choosing who to marry, or what house to buy. A Rebbe’s advice is considered utterly authoritative. The leader in Hasidic Judaism is known as a Rebbe or Tzaddik. A Rebbe does not necessarily have to be ordained. However, the Rebbe is considered especially enlightened and close to God. The Rebbe is looked to for guidance in all aspects of life, from interpreting the Torah to choosing who to marry, or what house to buy. A Rebbe’s advice is considered utterly authoritative. Jewish Denominations/Sects

13. Kabbalah : the mystical form of Judaism is Kabbalah. Kabbalah : the mystical form of Judaism is Kabbalah. Jewish mysticism dating back to the time of the second Temple. Jewish mysticism dating back to the time of the second Temple. For many years a carefully guarded oral tradition, it became systematized and dispersed in the Middle Ages. For many years a carefully guarded oral tradition, it became systematized and dispersed in the Middle Ages. The kabbalistic viewpoint was expressed most importantly in the Yalkut Re'uveni by Reuben Hoeshke in 1660, but also made its way into prayer books, popular customs and ethics. The kabbalistic viewpoint was expressed most importantly in the Yalkut Re'uveni by Reuben Hoeshke in 1660, but also made its way into prayer books, popular customs and ethics. The focus of the Kabbalah is the simultaneous transcendence and immanence of God, with the latter described in terms of the sefirot, or attributes of God. The focus of the Kabbalah is the simultaneous transcendence and immanence of God, with the latter described in terms of the sefirot, or attributes of God. Jewish Denominations/Sects

14. History

15. Jewish Holidays

17. Judaism in the World