2.  The oldest monotheistic religion  The basis of Christianity and Islam, as well as other religions  Religion of 14 million people in the world  Today, Jews make up less than 1% of the world’s population and 2% of the US population  Most Jews live in Israel, The US, and Canada

3.  God is referred to as A’doni  Although there is no prophet, Abraham is the founder of Judaism  The faith was continued by Moses, who led the people out of Egypt and presented the 10 commandments (there are 613 in all)  Other important figures: Jacob, Isaac, Joseph, Noah, King David

4.  The Torah is the main religious book for Jews  Divided into 5 books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy  Written on a parchment scroll in Hebrew  Other minor texts are used to tell stories for specific holidays

5.  Jerusalem is the birthplace of Judaism known as the promised land. Within Jerusalem, there are many holy sites including:  The Wailing Wall, The Old City, and King David’s Tomb  The state of Israel has several other holy sites in it

6.  Briss: ceremony for baby boys at 8 days old  Bar or Bat Mitzvah: symbolizing becoming a man or a woman when a boy (13 years) or girl (12 years) first reads from the torah  Weddings and deaths also have special traditions  Keeping kosher  T’sdakah  Shabbat

7.  Shabbat or the Sabbath is the most important Jewish holiday  It takes place from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday  Jews are not supposed to do any work during this period

8.  Rosh Hashanah- the Jewish New Year  Yom Kippur- The day of Atonement  Passover- The celebration of the Jews leaving Egypt  Simchat Torah- The rereading of the Torah  Sukkot- the harvest festival

9.  Services are led by rabbis- Jewish clergy who reads from the Torah  In addition, prayers are chanted by a cantor  Jews worship in a synagogue- also sometimes referred to as temple or shoal

10.  Orthodox: the torah should be strictly followed (think black hats and curls)  Conservative: more traditional than reform, less strict than orthodox  Reform: Jewish law should be a guideline