CULTURE & RELIGION: JUDAISM
Jews derive their jewishness through either being born to a jewish mother,
or through conversion to Judaism. Judaism relies heavily on family and
community to ensure continuity.
The religion originated in Israel
The holy place of judaism is Jerusalem
Their sacred building is called the synagogue
TYPES OF JUDAISM
Orthodox Judaism has several subgroups which include hasidic Jews.
This branch of Judaism started in Eastern Europe during the 18th
century and it's values and several practices differ form traditional
judaism.
Orthodox Judaism is very strict when it comes to the practice of
traditional jewish law and rituals.
Most orthodox Jews believe that the shabbat shouldn't involve working,
driving or handling money.
Another type is reform judaism which is considered to be a more
liberal type compared to other categories.
Jews under this category value ethical traditions over the strict practice
of the Jewish laws and they promote progressive ideas and adaptation.
Most american Jews are under this type and they follow reform judaic
traditions.
Conservative Judaism still follows the traditions of Judaism while
considering progressive ideas.
GREETINGS, INTRODUCTIONS, & DRESS
The following sensitivities may need to be observed on greeting or
introduction:
Observant orthodox Jews do not shake hands with members of the
opposite sex (some, when a hand is offered, will shake hands to avoid
embarrassment to the person offering)
Some Jews prefer not to be publicly identified as Jewish as a matter of
privacy or through fear of misuse of this information. Respect for
personal choice can be ensured by checking discreetly with the
individual concerned.
While most Jews dress similarly to non-Jews when outside synagogue,
many Orthodox Jews are recognizable by their distinctive garments
worn for reasons of ritual, tradition or modesty. Men typically cover
their heads with kippot, and wear tzitzit, a four pointed garment with
fringes on the corners, underneath their shirts - sometimes the fringes
hang out from the shirt.
Married orthodox Jewish women also cover their hair with a sheitel (a
wig), a hat or scarf and observe a modest dress code showing little
skin.
Ceremonies and rituals: Birth (circumcision), Age 13 (Bar/Bat mitzvah), Marriage, Death.
MEDICAL
When matters of health are involved, and in particular where there is a
danger to life, most of Judaism’s religious laws and rituals are set aside
because Jewish laws hold the patient’s wellbeing and the sanctity of
human life in the highest value.
There are limits, of course. Judaism does not sanction treatments,
medicines or procedures that are overly experimental or speculative.
There must be a reasonable chance of success or benefit.
DEATH AND RELATED ISSUES
The body at death must be treated with the utmost reverence as it was
the body that housed the soul in life.
As such, autopsies must be avoided and the body should be buried as
quickly as practicable/possible.
The body is never left alone until after burial, as a sign of respect.
The body is never displayed at funerals; open casket ceremonies are
forbidden by Jewish law.
HOLIDAYS
One of the most popular holidays in Judaism is the Passover and it lasts
7 or 8 days. - The Passover mainly celebrates Jewish freedom from
slavery in Egypt.
Rosh Hashanah, or also known as the Jewish New Year, celebrates the
birth of the universe and humanity.
Yom Kippur is the “Day of Atonement” and is the holiest day of the year
for Jews, in which they fast and pray.
Starting with Rosh Hashanah and ending with Yom Kippur, these 10
days are called the Days of Awe and is a time of repentance.
Hanukkah, the “Festival of Lights”, is a Jewish celebration that lasts for 8
days. - It celebrates the allegiance of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem
after the Maccabees defeated the Syrian-Greeks 2,000 years ago.
Purim is a joyous and light holiday that celebrates the time when the
Jewish people in Persia were saved from extinction.
The Sabbath (Shabbat) is the best known religious observance where
Jews undertake no secular activities from sunset on Friday to after
dark on Saturday. For many Jews the Sabbath is meaningful and may
be celebrated through family gatherings, quiet reflection, prayer and
communal activities.
FOOD: JUDAISM
KOSHER FOOD: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
“Kosher” is a term used to describe foods that comply with dietary guidelines set by traditional Jewish law. These laws determine which foods may be
consumed and how they must be produced, processed, and prepared.
There are three main kosher food categories:
Meat (fleishig): Mammals or fowl, as well as products derived from them, including bones or broth.
Jewish law states that for meat to be considered kosher, it must meet the following criteria:
It must come from ruminant animals with cloven — or split — hooves, such as cows, sheep, goats, lambs, oxen, and deer.
The only permitted cuts of meat come from the forequarters of kosher ruminant animals.
Certain domesticated fowl can be eaten, such as chicken, geese, quail, dove, and turkey.
The meat must be soaked in order to remove any traces of blood prior to cooking.
Any utensils used to slaughter or prepare the meat must be kosher and designated only for use with meat and meat products.
The following types of meat and meat products are not considered kosher: Meat from pigs, rabbits, squirrels, camels, kangaroos, or horses.
Predator or scavenger birds, such as eagles, owls, gulls, and hawks. Cuts of beef that come from the hindquarters of the animal, such as
flank, short loin, sirloin, round, and shank
Dairy (milchig): Milk, cheese, butter, and yogurt.
Parve: Any food that is not meat or dairy, including fish, eggs, and plant-based foods.
According to kosher tradition, any food categorized as meat may never be served or eaten at the same meal as a dairy product.
All utensils and equipment used to process and clean meat and dairy must be kept separate — even down to the sinks in which they’re washed. Parve
food items are considered neutral and may be eaten alongside either meat or dairy. However, if a parve food item is prepared or processed using any
equipment used to process meat or dairy, it may be reclassified as meat, dairy, or non-kosher.
During Passover, all leavened grain products are forbidden. However, unleavened breads, such as matzo, are allowed.

TRADITIONAL JEWISH FOODS

1. Shakshuka is a staple cuisine traditionally served in a cast iron pan with bread to mop up the tomato sauce. The dish contains poached or baked eggs in
a sauce with tomatoes, chili peppers, onions, cumin, and whatever else your heart desires.
2. Often served on Hanukkah, latkes are essentially fried potato pancakes topped with anything from sour cream to applesauce. The tradition of the latke is
focused on the oil rather than the potato. It symbolizes the miracle of Hanukkah when one night's oil lasted for eight nights thousands of years ago.
3. Bagels and Lox: It doesn't get much better than waking up on a Sunday morning or breaking a long Yom Kippur fast with lox piled high on a bagel.
Traditionally, lox is served with cream cheese and garnished with tomato, red onion, cucumbers, and capers.
4. Gefilte fish is one of those foods that you eat every year on Passover.
5. Matzah Brei is eaten during Passover, a time when Jews aren't supposed to eat leavened bread. It's a good substitute for those who enjoy their eggs
paired with toast for breakfast. The dry matzah is broken into pieces, softened in water or milk, mixed with eggs, and fried.
6. The sweet cake known as Babka is made from a dough that is doubled and twisted, and typically rises pretty high thanks to yeast. Babka is filled with
cinnamon and/or chocolate, which makes a marble pattern when sliced.
7. Knish: What's better than baked or fried dough stuffed with your choice of potato, meat, or cheese.
8. The traditional Jewish food called Kugel is baked as a casserole or pudding with its main ingredients, noodles and potato. Kugel is served as part of festive
meals in Ashkenazi Jewish homes. In particular, it's eaten on the Shabbat and other holidays.
9. Matzah Ball Soup: the cure to almost any sickness. It includes fluffy dumpling-like balls in a chicken or vegetable broth. Often, there are some added
veggies for maximum flavor.
10. Hamentaschen: Along with the Jewish holiday Purim comes a delicious cookie filled with a jelly center. The triangular shape symbolizes a hat that
belonged to the villain Haman in the story of Purim.
11. Challah is a special Jewish bread that's usually braided and eaten on occasions such as Shabbat and other major Jewish holidays.
12. Blintzes are basically everything yummy rolled up in a flat pancake. The Jewish version of blintzes are filled with chocolate, mushrooms, meat, rice, or
mashed potatoes and cheese.
13. Hummus and Pita: Chickpeas are blended to a creamy consistency to create one of the tastiest dips on earth—hummus. There's just really nothing like
hummus on a warm pita as a snack or small meal.