Equality and Diversity Course at JEDTC Shrivenham January 2014. Introduction to Judaism, adherents needs, provisions made by the MOD and compatibility.

1. Judaism
EDA Course 13-17 Jan 2014
Andy, Sacha, Ricky

2. Present Day Beliefs – Types
•Orthodox Jews
– Believe the Torah and the Talmud contain the actual
words of God which must be applied in all circumstances.
•Progressive
–They believe in the divine inspiration of the Torah
–Since it was recorded by humans at a certain point in
history, it then became necessary to reinterpret the words
in the context of present day times.

3. Key Beliefs
• There is one Universal God
• Prophets (Abraham & Moses)
• God has given the Torah to the Jews as a means of
showing in practice what an obedient and holy life is
like.
• Shabbat
• Bar / Bat Mitzvah

4. Diet & Drinking
WHAT IS KOSHER?

5. Sabbath (Shabbat)
• Three important blessings are
said over the wine, candles and
braided Challah
• A commemoration of the
Israelites’ redemption from
slavery in Egypt and God’s
creation of the universe

6. Major Dates

7. Festivals
Rosh Hashanah – “Day of Judgement” 5775 (in 2014)
•Commemorates the beginning of the New Year
Yom Kippur – “Day of Atonement”
•25 hour fast
•The 10th and final day of the repentance of sins
•Holiest day in Jewish Calendar
Passover (Pesach) – “The feast of unleavened bread”
•7 day holiday
•Matzo the “official” food of Passover
Sukkot – “Feast of the Tabernacles”
Hunnakah (Chunakah) - The “Festival of Lights”
•Commemorates 8 days of the rededication of
the Altar

8. Working on Holidays
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Rosh Hashanah
Yom Kippur
UP TO
Sukkot (days 1 & 2)
13 DAYS
Shemini Atzeret
Simchat Torah TOTAL
Passover (days 1,2,7&8)
Shavu’ot (Pentecost)

9. Working for the MOD

10. Type
Clothing
UltraOrthodox
Need
♂
MOD Provision
Civil Service / Service Personnel
Free clothing &
head gear choice
(H&S allowing)
♀ Head cover/wig
modest clothing
Service Uniform; Kippah
+ Tallit* (if unseen)
Modest clothing/
head cover
Wear trousers/long
sleeves; head cover*
Service Uniform
(Men) Kippah +Tallit*
Fair to Good
Limiting
Progressive
Modern clothing
(kippah optional)
Modern clothing
& Kippah
Diet
(Ortho & Prog)
Kosher
(strict rules)
Kosher source; poss Ditto*
mixing in catering
Ration Pack available
Hair / Beards
Orthodox
Side locks & beard
are mandatory
Hair & beard OK.
(H&S allowing)
Progressive
Beard for festivals
Ditto
Fasting
Orthodox
6/7 - 12 days per
annum (or more)
Progressive
1 – 6/7 days/year
Normally should be allowed; be aware that
there are some circumstances i.e. Ops where
fasting is discouraged. Personnel should not
fast if risk of unfair burden on others exists.
Religious Hols
Ortho & Prog
Up to 13 days per
annum (not incl.
Hunnakah)
D-i-S/Burial
24 hr burial
On Ops in extremis burial possible
Spiritual most likely Repat.
Guidance
Service religious advisor
FaithAd
Compatibility
Beard* ( as long as no
obstruction GSR etc)
Hair secured*
Mandatory block leave needs to be justified,
otherwise all requests for leave for religious
hols should be considered objectively.
Good
Fair-Poor
Good
Limiting to Good
Limiting to Fair
Good
Good*
Limiting to Good
Limiting-Good
Limiting-Good