1

1. SOPHIE HOLMES, KATIE MARLOW AND GEORGE BLOW

2. What is Judaism?
• To be a member of the Jewish people, individuals need to have been
born to a Jewish mother or to have converted to the faith.
• There are actually many Jews who are non-practising and who are non
believers, but they have a ‘membership’ in the community which is not
questioned.
• If men marry a Jewish woman, their Jewish needs will continue to be
passed on to the next generation, regardless of their individual
behaviour.

3. History of Judaism
• Originated in the Middle East about 3500
Years ago
• Birth of the Jewish people and the start of
Judaism is told in the first 5 books of the
Bible.
• Torah was revealed by God to Moses on
Mount Sinai over 300 years ago
• The main incident against the Jews was the
Holocaust (Jan 1933 – May 1945) this was an
attempt to remove Judaism completely. They
were gassed with poisonous gases, 6 million
Jews died.

4. Key Jewish Facts
 Judaism has around 13 million followers throughout the
world. This makes it the smallest of the four main
religions which have one God. These followers are mainly
located in the USA and in Israel. During a UK census in
2011 270,100 people said that their religious identity was
Jewish.
Moses was the main founder of Judaism, but Jews can
trace their history back as far as Abraham. Abraham is
the father of the Jewish people, however he is also
important in other religions including Christianity.
Jewish boys and men wear hats called Kippahs.
Moses
Jewish boy wearing a
Kippah

5. Beliefs
• Jews believe that there is only one God.
• The believe they have a special agreement with God - In exchange for all the good that
God has done for them, Jewish people keep God's commandments and try to bring them
into every aspect of their lives.
• Judaism is a faith of action which suggest Jews believe people should be judged not on
what they believe, but the way they live their faith - by how much they contribute to the
overall ‘holiness’ of the world.
• Bring holiness
Holy Books
• The most holy Jewish book is the Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) which
was revealed by God to Moses on Mount Sinai over 3,000 years ago.
• The Torah, together with the Talmud (commentary on the Torah), give the Jewish people
rules for everyday life. Looking at these rules is important to the Jewish religion.

6. Jewish Rules
• The Torah has rules about food, milk and meat must not be mixed together.
So that this does not happen, the Jewish family home often has two separate
areas, two sinks, two cutlery draws and two sets of plates.
• On Friday evening the whole family come together for the beginning of
Shabbat they must be as a family. The Mother lights candles and must say a
blessing over them. The Father would recite a piece from the prayer book. All
the family pray over the wine, bread and washing their hands and then they
all eat.
• Things which are forbidden on a Saturday: writing, business transactions,
driving or riding in cars or other vehicles, shopping, using the telephone,
turning on or off anything which uses electricity, including lights, radios,
television, computer, air-conditioners and alarm clocks, cooking, baking or
kindling a fire, gardening and grass-mowing, doing laundry.
• Jewish homes have Mezuzah scrolls on the doors. These have prayers inside
reminding them that God is with them. They must touch this prayer whenever
they pass.
• The Jewish prayer book is called the Siddur they must read this book from
right to left and when they close it they have to kiss it on both sides.

7. Jewish traditions
Why are the Jewish prayers in Hebrew?
• Hebrew is the religious term for Israelite and is the word used for the language of modern
Israel. The Torah is written traditionally in Hebrew.
What is the holy day for Jewish People?
• Orthodox Jews keep the seventh day for spiritual and physical rest based on religious
teaching: 'Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy'.
• Shabbat is a weekly reminder that God created the world. Usual everyday activities are
replaced by prayer, study, festive meals and song.
What rites of passage are marked in Judaism?
• Brit Milah (the Jewish words for 'Covenant of Circumcision') is celebrated when a baby boy is
eight days old. Although this can be postponed for medical reasons. This is when the baby is
named.
• Girls are blessed and named the first time the parents attend the synagogue after the birth.
(Children often given their name in the memory of a loved one).
• Bar Mitzvah (Son of the Commandment) is celebrated when a boy reaches the age of 13.
• Bat Mitzvah (Daughter of the Commandment) is celebrated when a girl reaches the age of 12.
• Both girls and boys promise to keep the Commandments. A Jewish baby wearing a
Kippah (Skull Cap)
Hebrew writing

8. Jewish Celebrations
The most well know Jewish celebration is Bar Mitzvah.
This is a special celebration for Jewish boys on their 13th
birthdays. For followers of Judaism, this is seen as the
transition from a child to an adult.
Not many people are aware that Jewish girls also go
through a similar ceremony. This celebration is known as
Bat Mitzvah and happens when a Jewish girl turns 12
years old. Once the children have passed this milestone
they become responsible for what they do, any wrong
doing is no longer anything to do with their parents.
For these events to happen a party is not actually
necessary. Jewish people chose to have a celebration
which involves the whole family.
Another major celebration for Jewish people is Shabbat,
this happens every week on a Saturday.
Celebrating Shabbat at the synagogue'
A young Jewish boy during his Bar Mitzvah,
reading from the Torah in Hebrew.
A Jewish girl during her Bat Mitzvah.

9. Teaching a lesson on Judaism
• Starter – Ask children what they already know about Judaism
and build on this. (TS2)
• Obtain a variety of resources, e.g a Torah, Kippah, Tallit and
Tefilin allowing each child to hold and observe them. Ask them if
they recognise any of the items and to give ideas of what they
think they might be.
• Organise a role play of a Bat/Bar Mitzvah in groups so children
have a good understanding of a major Jewish celebration this
could be a treat for the end of the topic.
• Plenary – Ask each child a question before the end of the lesson
to check and reassure understanding on major Jewish events
and items. Other ways to check understanding include, writing
down something they have learn on a post it and sticking it on
the board, or writing a poem about one of the items e.g. Kippah.
TS4
TS5
TS2

10. Other lessons on teaching Judaism
• A trip to a Synagogue which would involve teaching outside the
classroom. This would be beneficial for those who find learning in
the classroom difficult and would ensure teaching is adapted for all
abilities. (TS5) Children could then return to the classroom to write
about what they saw, linking to literacy.
• Children could design a kippah, after being given some to hold and
look at, this would link to art and design.
• For younger children, when teaching about Jewish holidays more
suitable resources could be used such as hands on picture books.
This provides children with a sensory experience in the classroom.

11. References
• BBC, pathways of belief, places of worship, 22 April 1997, online accessed: 8th October
2015 http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/clips/zcfgkqt /
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/religion/judaism/
• Haaretz, august 25th 2013, online, accessed: 8th October 2015.
http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/.premium-1.543477
• Institute for Jewish Policy Research, 2011 CENSUS RESULTS (ENGLAND AND WALES)
INITIAL INSIGHTS INTO JEWISH NEIGHBOURHOODS , 19 FEBRUARY 2013
• London Jewish cultural centre, 2011, online, accessed: 6th October 2015
http://www.theholocaustexplained.org/
• Mandy Barrow, 2013, Kent school, online accesed 7th October 2015
http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/