Introduction to Judaism PDF

INTRO TO JUDAISM Ms. Doyle WHAT COMES TO YOUR MIND WHEN YOU HEAR JUDAISM?  INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM Judaism is the monotheistic religion of the Jewish people. (One of the oldest monotheistic religions—ever) Their relationship with God: Teaches that there is one...

INTRO TO JUDAISM Ms. Doyle WHAT COMES TO YOUR MIND WHEN YOU HEAR JUDAISM?  INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM Judaism is the monotheistic religion of the Jewish people. (One of the oldest monotheistic religions—ever) Their relationship with God: Teaches that there is one God, and that God created the world. They must devote themselves to God in all aspects of their lives-- God selected them to bring knowledge of him to the rest of the world. They believe God has promised to make the Jewish people a great nation (unique covenant) that will eventually draw other nations together in a worldwide community of justice and peace.  DIVISIONS IN JUDAISM Like Christianity, there are three main divisions: Orthodox Jews are the most traditional. Reform Jews made the most changes to make Judaism’s laws more modern. Conservative Jews uphold many old traditions but have made some changes in their religious practice. Orthodox Judaism Beliefs: strict adherence to traditional Jewish law Practice: Observes dietary laws (Kosher), Sabbath rest, and traditional gender roles in worship. Approximately 10-15% of Jews in the United States identify as Orthodox, with higher percentages in Israel, where about 20-25% of Jews are Orthodox.  DIVISIONS IN JUDAISM Conservative Judaism Beliefs: Balances tradition with some modern adaptation; respects Jewish law but is open to changes. Practices: Observes many traditional practices but with flexibility, such as allowing mixed- gender worship in some synagogues. Statistics: Around 18-19% of U.S. Jews identify as Conservative; numbers have declined slightly in recent years. Reform Judaism Beliefs: Emphasizes ethical values and individual choice over strict adherence to Jewish law. Practices: More flexible with dietary laws and Sabbath observance; men and women often sit together, and many Reform Jews support LGBTQ+ inclusion. Statistics: Reform Judaism is the largest branch in the U.S., with about 35-40% of American Jews identifying as Reform. BELIEFS AND SACRED TEXTS BELIEFS AND SACRED TEXTS