Jews and Judaism

• The Lives, Traditions and Struggles of the Jewish people.
• Jacquelynn Reyes, Sara Leyerle, Emily Reed and Axton Lovelady
• April 18th, 2014

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• We will be talking about the Jewish people before, during and after the Holocaust.

background and development of jewish faith

• The Jewish religion arose near the eastern hemisphere around 3,500 years ago
• The word "jew" comes from yehudah or judah, a southern kingdom of Isreal existing from 922BCE to 586BCE
• Another name for Jew is "Hebrew" root of "Apiru" or "Habiru" meaning "outsider" or "wonderer"
• Largest population of Jews is found in the United States, Isreal, and a number of European nations

basic beliefs of judaism

• There is one universal God
• This God is Yahweh, creator of the universe
• He is believed to be perfect, eternal, all-knowing, holy, and without physical form
• Described in Exodus to be merciful and compassionate beyond understanding
• But capable of great anger when his rules of ethical behavior are violated

beliefs of judaism

• Messiah, or savior, will return and restore Isreal (the jewish nation)
• Jews are specifically chosen to recieve Gods law
• Tradition states in order for someone to convert they must be supervised by rabbi
• They trace the jewish race through mothers, not fathers. it's believed to be the purest line

jewish most holy days

• Yom Kippur (day of atonment) in 2014 it begins on Oct. 3 and ends Oct. 4
• Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) in 2014 it begins on Sept. 24 and ends Sept. 26
• Feast of Tabernacles (Pilgramage festival) in 2014 it starts on Oct. 8 and ends on Oct. 16
• Purim (Commemorate to defeat Haman's plot) in 2014 it starts on Mar. 4 and ends on Mar. 5
• Passover (Celebrates liberation of Jews in Isreal) in 2014 it starts on Apr. 14 and ends on Apr. 22

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Long lasting prejudice

• Jews have had prejudice towards them for more than 2,000 years.
• They had a more social acceptance during the Enlightenment Era.
• By the late 1800's, they were getting targeted by higher members of society.
• The Jewish population had a total of about 500,000 in Germany before the war.

Troubles for the Jews

• By the start of WW2, the Jewish people had a rising problem from the Germans.

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Post Holocaust

• The Jewish faith didn't change even after the Holocaust
• Many Jews believed, and still do, that the Holocaust was a punishment for their own sins
• After the Holocaust, the American/Jewish population grew from 250,000 to 3.5 million
• Many Jewish survivors feared to return to home because of hatred from other parts of Europe

Conflicts with other nearby countries

• Conflicts between Jews and the the people of Israel are based on religion and beliefs
• The rise of Israel is seen as a threat to many believers in Islam
• Both Judaism and Islam are monotheistic and believe other religions to be wrong
• This is the basic root of their conflicts with other groups

ISRAELI ALLIANCE WITH THE U.S.

• Both Americans and the Jewish have been influenced by each other
• For more than six decades, the U.S. has helped the building of Israel to support the Jews
• Jews also contributed to the American Revolution
• The Jews of America are profoundly interested in establishing a National Home in the holy land

Belief Changes

• They still use the Old Testament for their belief system
• Many Jewish/Americans have strayed from common traditions because of where they live
• Their past conflicts are believed to be an act of their God for punishment or as a lesson