WHAT IS JUDAISM?

Do you know...?

INTRODUCTION VIDEO

This short video clip would be an ideal introduction to sources of authority such as the Torah, beliefs and

artefacts for a class looking at Judaism

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/the-shema/3651.html

KEY FACTS

Originated in the Middle East over 3500 years ago Founded by Moses, although Jews

trace their history back to Abraham.

Jews believe that there is only one God.

Jewish people keep God’s laws and try to bring holiness into every aspect of their lives.

6 million Jews were murdered in the Holocaust in an attempt to wipe out Judaism.

KEY WORDS

SynagogueThe Jewish house of worship.

The TorahThe most Holy text in

Judaism.

A RabbiA spiritual leader

Bar MitzvahJewish coming of age rituals.

SABBATH - HEBREW WORD FOR REST.

It begins at nightfall on Friday and lasts until nightfall on Saturday, so it lasts about 25 hours.

God commanded the Jewish People to observe the Sabbath and keep it holy as the fourth of the Ten Commandments.

Shabbat is a time with no television, no rushing to the demands of the telephone or a busy work schedule.

Shabbat is very much a time when families come together in the presence of God in their own home.

Most Jewish people look forward to Shabbat all week. They see it as God's gift to his chosen people of a day when they take time out from everyday things to feel special.

Some useful video clipshttp://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/shabbat-part-1of-2/4744.htmlhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/shabbat-part-2-of-2/4745.html

LIBERAL JUDAISM

Lily Montagu – strict orthodox family, founder of Liberal Judaism to help people fit their faith into their lives

Association of 30 independent synagoguesTorah – don’t believe it was written by God and given to Moses on stone tablets – it should be responded to by the culture and moralities of our time today

Worship and ritual – men and women can sit together in services and can both take part in services

Gender issues – men and women are equal and women can take part in many rituals such as leading services or becoming a rabbi. Multi – faith marriages are allowed.

Kosher – some regard these rules as irrelevant to them and others think it is significant –up to them.

REFORMED JUDAISMBegan in Germany in 1819, but emerged in Britain in 1842 with the establishment of the West London Synagogue

It developed partly out of a need for internal religious changes and partly because of wider factors operating in society at large

They sought to inhabit both worlds, loyal to their tradition but also part of modernity..

In Reform synagogues they sit together with men, participate actively in public worship and can now also be rabbis.

Sections of the liturgy were omitted if they no longer corresponded to what Jews believed.

Services were no longer conducted solely in Hebrew, but in a mixture of Hebrew and English,

ORTHODOX JUDAISMBelieve that the Jewish people left the slavery of Egypt and rendezvoused with G-d at a mountain called Sinai. There, Moses was given the Torah

Believe theres only one God, Hashem

Attempt to follow all 613commandments

Go to the Synagogue 3x a day

Largest population of Orthodox Jews are in Israel

Have to abide by Kosher food law

Shabbat is their day of rest

ULTRA-ORTHODOX (‘HAREDI’) JUDAISM

Most strict branch of Judaism

Haredi = awe-inspired fear to perform the will of God

1.3-1.5 million worldwide; mainly in Israel, West Europe and North America

Segregation from modern society to maintain their adherence to Jewish law

Lifestyle- opposed to TV, phones and internet- gender separation in education and prayer- very family orientated

Very traditional dress

KOSHER

This is a fun video clip aimed at children to explain the rules that surround Kosher

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/kosher-foods/7467.html

The next video shows children shopping in a supermarket for a special occasion.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/shopping-for-pesach/6598.html

OTHER USEFUL WEBSITES AND VIDEO CLIPS http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/

http://www.reonline.org.uk/knowing/what-re/judaism/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/subdivisions/liberal_1.shtml

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/judaism-at-home/486.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/the-rules-of-judaism/4675.html