SOPHIE HOLMES KATIE MARLOW AND GEORGE BLOW What

SOPHIE HOLMES, KATIE MARLOW AND GEORGE BLOW

What is Judaism? • To be a member of the Jewish people, individuals need to have been born to a Jewish mother or to have converted to the faith. • There actually many Jews who are non-practising and who are non believers, but they have a ‘membership’ in the community which is not questioned. • If men marry a Jewish woman, their Jewish needs will continue to be passed on to the next generation, regardless of their individual behaviour. (BBC, 2014) Technically, to be a member of the Jewish people, one needs either to have been born to a Jewish mother or to have converted to the Jewish faith by one of the generally recognized movements within the religion. And in fact, there are many Jews who are nonpracticing and/or non-believing, but whose “membership” in the community is not disputed. If they are women, or men who marry a Jewish woman, their Jewishness will continue to be passed on from one generation to the next regardless of their individual behaviour.

History of Judaism • Originated in the Middle East about 3500 Years ago • Birth of the Jewish people and the start of Judaism is told in the first 5 books of the Bible. • Torah was revealed by God to Moses on Mount Sinai over 300 years ago • Holocaust (January 1933 – May 1945) – 6 Million murdered – an attempt to remove Judasism.

Key Jewish Facts Ø Judaism has around 13 million followers throughout the world. This makes it the smallest of the four main religions which have one God. These followers are mainly located in the USA and in Israel. During a UK census in 2011 270, 100 people said that their religious identity was Jewish. Judaism first started with the Hebrew people in Israel over 3500/4000 years ago. ØMoses was the main founder of Judaism, but Jews can trace their history back as far as Abraham. Moses was the one who gave the Jews the Torah all those years ago. The Torah is very important as it contains the laws of God. Moses ØAbraham is the father of the Jewish people, however he is also important in other religions including Christianity. ‘Work makes you free’

Beliefs • Jews believe that there is only one God. • The believe they have a special agreement with God - In exchange for all the good that God has done for them, Jewish people keep God's commandments and try to bring them into every aspect of their lives. • Judaism is a faith of action which suggest Jews believe people should be judged not on what they believe, but the way they live their faith - by how much they contribute to the overall ‘holiness’ of the world. • Bring holiness Holy Books • The most holy Jewish book is the Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) which was revealed by God to Moses on Mount Sinai over 3, 000 years ago. • The Torah, together with the Talmud (commentary on the Torah), give the Jewish people rules for everyday life. Looking at these rules is important to the Jewish religion.

Jewish Rules • The Torah has rules about food, milk and meat must not be mixed together. So that this does not happen, the Jewish family home often has two separate areas, two sinks, two cutlery draws and two sets of plates. • On Friday evening the whole family come together for the beginning of Shabbat they must be as a family. The Mother lights candles and must say a blessing over them. The Father would recite a piece from the prayer book. All the family pray over the wine, bread and washing their hands and then they all eat. • Things which are forbidden on a Saturday: writing, business transactions, driving or riding in cars or other vehicles, shopping, using the telephone, turning on or off anything which uses electricity, including lights, radios, television, computer, air-conditioners and alarm clocks, cooking, baking or kindling a fire, gardening and grass-mowing, doing laundry. • Jewish homes have Mezuzah scrolls on the doors. These have prayers inside reminding them that God is with them. They must touch this prayer whenever they pass. • The Jewish prayer book is called the Siddur they must read this book from right to left and when they close it they have to kiss it on both sides.

Jewish traditions Why are the Jewish prayers in Hebrew? • Hebrew is the Biblical term for Israelite and is the word used for the language of the Bible and of modern Israel. What is the holy day for Jewish People? • Orthodox Jews keep the seventh day for spiritual and physical rest based on the Biblical teaching: 'Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy'. • Shabbat is a weekly reminder that God created the world. Usual everyday activities are replaced by prayer, study, festive meals and song. Hebrew writing What rites of passage are marked in Judaism? • Brit Milah (the Jewish words for 'Covenant of Circumcision') is celebrated when a baby boy is eight days old. Although this can be postponed for medical reasons. This is when the baby is named. • Girls are blessed and named the first time the parents attend the synagogue after the birth. (Children often given their name in the memory of a loved one). • Bar Mitzvah (Son of the Commandment) is celebrated when a boy reaches the age of 13. • Bat Mitzvah (Daughter of the Commandment) is celebrated when a girl reaches the age of 12. • Both girls and boys promise to keep the Commandments. A Jewish baby wearing a Kippah (Skull Cap)

Jewish Celebrations The most well know Jewish celebration is Bar Mitzvah. This is a special celebration for Jewish boys on their 13 th birthdays. For followers of Judaism, this is seen as the transition from a child to an adult. Not many people are aware that Jewish girls also go through a similar ceremony. This celebration is known as Bat Mitzvah and happens when a Jewish girl turns 12 years old. Once the children have passed this milestone they become responsible for what they do, any wrong doing is no longer anything to do with their parents. A young Jewish boy during his Bar Mitzvah, reading from the Torah in Hebrew. For these events to happen a party is not actually necessary. Jewish people chose to have a celebration which involves the whole family. Another major celebration for Jewish people is Shabbat, this happens every week on a Sunday. 'Celebrating Shabbat at the synagogue' A Jewish girl during her Bat Mitzvah.

Teaching a lesson on Judaism • Starter – Ask children what they already know about Judaism. • Obtain a variety of resources, e. g a Torah, Kippah, Tallit and Tefilin allowing each child to hold and observe them. • Organise a role play of a Bat Mitzvah in groups so children have a good understanding of a major Jewish celebration. • Plenary – Ask each child a question before the end of the lesson to check and reassure understanding on major Jewish events and items. Other lessons on teaching Judaism included a trip to a Synagogue, teaching about Kosher foods, and other major Jewish festivals.

References • BBC, pathways of belief, places of worship, 22 April 1997, online accessed: 8 th October 2015 http: //www. bbc. co. uk/education/clips/zcfgkqt / http: //www. bbc. co. uk/schools/religion/judaism/ • Haaretz, august 25 th 2013, online, accessed: 8 th October 2015. http: //www. haaretz. com/jewish-world/. premium-1. 543477 • Institute for Jewish Policy Research, 2011 CENSUS RESULTS (ENGLAND WALES) INITIAL INSIGHTS INTO JEWISH NEIGHBOURHOODS , 19 FEBRUARY 2013 • London Jewish cultural centre, 2011, online, accessed: 6 th October 2015 http: //www. theholocaustexplained. org/ • Mandy Barrow, 2013, Kent school, online accesed 7 th October 2015 http: //resources. woodlands-junior. kent. sch. uk/