Sacred Jewish symbols

Sacred Jewish symbols

Star of David

-The Star of David is one of the special symbols for Jewish people.

Mezuzah

-This special box called a mezuzah contains some special words from the Shema. The Shema is a passage from the Jewish Bible, called the Tenakh, which talks about what Jews should believe. It can be found in Deuteronomy 6:4-9. The Shema is the first prayer that any Jew will learn.

Rabbi Jackie Tabick’s Induction

-Rabbi is the Jewish name for a teacher – they teach people who come to the synagogue about the Jewish faith. The Rabbi is the leader of the synagogue. The name of the rabbi in this photograph is Rabbi Jackie Tabick, and it shows the service held at the synagogue to welcome her.

The pictures from jewish stories

-These pictures show different stories that are special to Jewish people. Some have beautiful Jewish writing on them. Jewish writing is called Hebrew and is read from right to left.

Noticeboard

-Lots of different things happen at the synagogue. People put notices about them on this board.

Jewish School (Schul)

These stairs lead to the education rooms where Jewish children come to school, or schul, on Sundays. There they will learn what it means to be Jewish, the Hebrew language and find out about people who are important in their faith. Jewish children might hear stories about Abraham, Moses and David, or make things for festivals and learn Hebrew songs.

When a Jewish boy becomes 13, they will have their Bar Mitzvah, when they celebrate becoming an adult. It will be the first time that they read the Torah in the synagogue and they may be asked to take part in the service. Afterwards, there might be a party to celebrate. Jewish girls have a Bat Mitzvah when they turn 12.

Ten Commandments

- “God gave Moses special rules for Jewish people to learn and live by. These are called the Ten Commandments. Click on the picture to read them.

1) There is only one God.
2) Worship God alone.
3) Do not swear.
4) Keep Shabbat as a holy day.
5) Respect your father and mother.
6) Do not hurt or kill anyone.
7) Take marriage seriously.
8) Do not steal.
9) Do not tell lies.
10) Do not want things that belong to somebody else.

Kippah

-Before they enter the main room Jewish men will cover their heads with a kippah as a mark of respect for God.

Prayer Books

-These prayer books are used during services at the synagogue and contain prayers and blessings. Prayer is very important to a Jew because God likes them to talk to Him.

Jews attend synagogue on Saturdays, which they call Shabbat.

Kitchen

-The synagogue is also a place where Jews can meet and eat together at various times and celebrations.

Jews have rules about the foods they can eat. Food that is acceptable is called kosher. There are notices on the kitchen cupboards to remind them how to cook and store food properly.

Bimah

-This is a special platform called a bimah where the Torah, the Jewish holy book, is read during services. It is up high so that everyone can see it and hear what is read and because the reading of the Torah is the most important part of the service in a synagogue. Services take place on Saturdays, which Jews call Shabbat.

SYMBOLIC CARVINGS

-These twelve carvings around the ark show some symbols and objects special to Judaism. Each one is carved onto a Torah scroll. As each picture shows, click on it to reveal the next one.

This first carving shows a mezuzah. This little box is placed on the doorposts of Jewish homes and contains the words of the Shema. You can read this prayer at the start of the tour when you click on the doorframe of the entrance to the synagogue.

ETERNAL LIGHT (NER TAMID)

-This light symbolises God's presence in the synagogue, and is never extinguished. It is called the Ner Tamid. In the temple of Old Testament times, the lamp would have been a real flame, but synagogues today have an electric light, often shaped like a flame, as this one is.

ARK

-This is a special cupboard, called the Ark, where the Torah and other scrolls are kept. There are two doors to the Ark to keep the Torah safe. Many synagogues have very old scrolls rescued from synagogues in Eastern Europe that were destroyed by the Nazis at the time of the Holocaust.

SHABBAT CANDLES

-These candles are lit at the start of Shabbat on Friday night. A special prayer called a blessing is said. Jews look forward to Shabbat each week. There are two candles to show that it is more special than other days of the week.

CHALLAH LOAF

-Jews eat this plaited bread called challah as part of their family meal on Shabbat. It is plaited to make it look different from ordinary bread.

KIDDUSH CUP

-On Shabbat, Jews drink wine from a special cup called a kiddush cup. Another blessing is said over the wine.

kosher recipe

Kosher Recipe

Sesame Noodles

• 1 lb spaghetti (get the thinnest spaghetti you can find)
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup sesame oil (some reviewers have said that 1/2 cup of oil is too much and have halved the amount, so use your own)
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 3 scallions, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup sesame seed (or more)

Funky Chicken

• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, chopped (or 1/4 teaspoon dried)
• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• sesame oil, for sautéing

Directions:

a.     First make the sesame noodles: Cook the spaghetti according to package directions.

b.   Drain (I also rinse).

c.     In a jar, add the soy sauce, sesame oil and the sugar.

d.     Shake until well blended and the sugar have dissolved.

e.     Pour this over the pasta.

f.        Toss with scallions and sprinkle with the sesame seeds.

g.     Set aside while you marinate and then cook the chicken.

h.     Put the chicken in a bowl mix the soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, garlic, brown sugar and the ginger.

i.         Make sure the sugar has pretty much dissolved.

j.         Add the chicken, making sure it's all coated with the sauce.

k.      Cover and stick in the fridge for 2-3 hours.

l.         Remove the chicken from the marinade, and toss out the marinade left at the bottom of the bowl.

m.   Heat the sesame oil in a large non-stick pan.

n.     Add the chicken in batches and saute for about 10 minutes, or until done, adding more sesame oil as needed.

o.     Remove the chicken from the pan and let cool slightly.

p.     Slice the chicken diagonally into thin strips.

q.     Serve the chicken over the sesame noodles.

r.        Stand back and watch your guests/children/loved ones inhale this dish.

1.  What is kosher food?

Kosher food is the food the Jewish people can eat.

2.Where is the list of food which is allowed, found?

Found in the torah Jewish bible; leviticus.

3.Why do many Jewish homes have two sets of cutlery?

To separate the dairy and meat products; as it is not kosher.

4.Why do you think Jewish are so careful about the food they eat?

It is a tradition that was passed down to avoid diseases that were likely at the time.

the amish

the Amish

All aspects of Amish life are dictated by a list of written or oral rules, known as Ordnung, which outlines the basics of the Amish faith and helps to define what it means to be Amish. For an Amish person, the Ordnung may dictate almost every aspect of one's lifestyle, from dress and hair length to buggy style and farming techniques. The Ordnung varies from community to community and order to order, which explains why you will see some Amish riding in automobiles, while others don't even accept the use of battery-powered lights.

Amish Dress
Symbolic of their faith, Amish clothing styles encourage humility and separation from the world. The Amish dress in a very simple style, avoiding all but the most basic ornamentation. Clothing is made at home of plain fabrics and is primarily dark in color. Amish men in general wear straight-cut suits and coats without collars, lapels or pockets. Trousers never have creases or cuffs and are worn with suspenders. Belts are forbidden, as are sweaters, neckties and gloves. Men's shirts fasten with traditional buttons in most orders, while suit coats and vests fasten with hooks and eyes. Young men are clean shaven prior to marriage, while married men are required to let their beards grow. Mustaches are forbidden. Amish women typically wear solid-color dresses with long sleeves and a full skirt, covered with a cape and an apron. They never cut their hair, and wear it in a braid or bun on the back of the head concealed with a small white cap or black bonnet. Clothing is fastened with straight pins or snaps, stockings are black cotton and shoes are also black. Amish women are not permitted to wear patterned clothing or jewelry. The Ordnung of the specific Amish order may dictate matters of dress as explicit as the length of a skirt or the width of a seam.

Technology & the Amish
The Amish are averse to any technology which they feel weakens the family structure. The conveniences that the rest of us take for granted such as electricity, television, automobiles, telephones and tractors are considered to be a temptation that could cause vanity, create inequality, or lead the Amish away from their close-knit community and, as such, are not encouraged or accepted in most orders. Most Amish cultivate their fields with horse-drawn machinery, live in houses without electricity, and get around in horse-drawn buggies. It is common for Amish communities to allow the use of telephones, but not in the home. Instead, several Amish families will share a telephone in a wooden shanty between farms. Electricity is sometimes used in certain situations, such as electric fences for cattle, flashing electric lights on buggies, and heating homes. Windmills are often used as a source of naturally generated electric power in such instances. It is also not unusual to see Amish using such 20th-century technologies as inline skates, disposable diapers and gas barbecue grills, because they are not specifically prohibited by the Ordnung.

Technology is generally where you will see the greatest differences between Amish orders. The Swartzentruber and Andy Weaver Amish are ultraconservative in their use of technology - the Swartzentruber, for example, do not even allow the use of battery lights. Old Order Amish have little use for modern technology, but are allowed to ride in motorized vehicles including planes and automobiles, though they are not allowed to own them. The New Order Amish permit the use of electricity, ownership of automobiles, modern farming machines, and telephones in the home.

Amish Schools & Education
The Amish believe strongly in education, but only provide formal education through the eighth grade and only in their own private schools. The Amish are exempt from state compulsory attendance beyond the eighth grade based on religious principles, the result of a 1972 U.S. Supreme Court ruling. One-room Amish schools are private institutions, operated by Amish parents. Schooling concentrates on the basic reading, writing, math and geography, along with vocational training and socialization in Amish history and values. Education is also a big part of home life, with farming and homemaking skills considered an important part of an Amish child's upbringing.

Amish Family Life
The family is the most important social unit in the Amish culture. Large families with seven to ten children are common. Chores are clearly divided by sexual role in the Amish home - the man usually works on the farm, while the wife does the washing, cleaning, cooking, and other household chores. There are exceptions, but typically the father is considered the head of the Amish household. German is spoken in the home, though English is also taught in school. Amish marry Amish - no intermarriage is allowed. Divorce is not permitted and separation is very rare.

Bible Vs the simpsons

The Bible Vs the Simpsons

The Simpsons episode was a humorous version of the bible story about king solemn and the two mothers. Within the Simpsons there were two men who were fighting over a pie and they both claimed it was their own. Within the bible the story is of two mothers, which claim that a son is their own. The women come before the king and ask how they can fairly decide who the child belongs to. The king told them the only fair way to resolve the situation would be to chop the baby in two, so the mothers could have half a baby each. Within the Simpsons homer (who was the king) also decided the only fair way to share the pie was to cut it in half. In the Simpsons Homer ate both halves of the pie and executed the men. In the bible the true mother of the child shrieked in shock at having her son cut in half and told the king that the other women could have the child and to just NOT hurt the child. At this the wise king knew who the true mother was because a good mother would defend her child; so the child was given to the true mother unharmed.

Judaism in the 21st century

Being Jewish in 21^st Century Australia

During the Program

1.     Where are Jewish religious services held?

At a synagogue

2.    What time do morning prayers begin at Anton’s school?

7:15am

3.     For how many years has Judaism existed as a religion?

3800 years

4.    How many gods did Abraham believe in?

Only 1 god Monotheism

5.     What are mitzvoth?

The Jewish commandments.

6.     What did Moses do?

Moses led the slaves out of slavery and took them to their promise land. He also learnt the 10 commandments from god.

                                                                              

7.    What is the Torah?

The holy book of the Jewish faith

8.     What is a Jewish religious leader called?

The Rabbi

9.     When did Abraham leave the area now known as Iraq to settle in the area now known as Palestine or Israel?

1800BC

10. What does Shabbat mean?

Shabbat means rest and is the Jewish rest day. And on Friday nights and Saturdays Jewish people rest and spend time with their families.

11. How long does Shabbat last for?

Shabbat lasts for 24 hours Friday once the sunsets to Saturday when the sun sets

12. What is the purpose of blowing the ram’s horn?

To remind people a changing is coming.

13. What is Yom Kippur?

A day of atonement. It is a day of fasting when the Jewish people reflect on their sins.

14. What does the festival of Hanukkah celebrate?

Hanukah is day the Jews celebrate the lasting of the Jews oil for 8 days instead of 1 day. It was a miracle and saved the Jews.

15. Which city did King David pronounce the capital for the Jews?

King David pronounced the city of Jerusalem was a city for the Jews.

16. What is the Western Wall?

The western wall is a place where you can communicate directly with god. It is also known as the Wailing Wall because all the Jews cry and weep their because of how overwhelming the power of God is there.

17. What does Bat Mitzvah mean?

The Bat Mitzvah is when someone pronounces that they would like to be Jewish in front of an audiences.

Being Jewish in 21^st Century Australia

Before the Program

1.  Locate Palestine and Israel on a world map.

2. List all the things you already know about Judaism.

So far I have learnt about the Jewish torah scroll which is an accurate version of the Old Testament. We learnt about writing the torah and writing their holly word “God”. We have also learnt that Christianity came from Judaism; and that the major difference was that the Jews do not believe Jesus to be the Messiah, and continue to wait for the Messiah to come. The most sacred messengers from God are Abraham, because he encouraged the Jews to stop believing in polytheism and to believe in god only. There was also Moses who heard god and took his people to the sacred and promised land today known as Israel.

3. Research the story of Abraham. Write a ½ page summary explaining the story, below.

The Jewish believe that Abraham is a prophet and can communicate with God. At the time Abraham hears a message from god. God tells him to stop believing in Many Gods and that he was truly the only god and that he had power over all of the aspects that the previous gods had individual jobs and powers over. Abraham was told by god of a promised land. God was concerned that Abraham may not believe in him or trust him so God made a deal by Abraham. God told Abraham that if he lives his life by the commandments than he would be a god persona and would live forever and go to heaven. To test Abraham’s belief he told Abraham that his wife would bear a child. This would be a miracle because Abraham’s wife was well past child bearing age and had never succeeded in the past. Sure enough a child was born not long after wards. God told Abraham. “If you truly believe in me tan you will kill your son as proof of your loyalty.” Although this seemed unfair Abraham was loyal to God and was prepared to kill his son as a sacrifice. As Abraham was about to kill his son God said “Abraham; you have proved your loyalty and may keep your son.” From then on Abraham encouraged his people to follow in his example and follow god.

4. Approximately how many Jews are there in your country?

88834 Jews within Australia.