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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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