For some Jewish communities, taking a course like this is required before you can seek conversion to the faith. Classes can last anywhere from 14 weeks to 1 year. Look for a rabbi who will sponsor you and guide you in your journey. [3] X Research source
Hasidic - This denomination is very strict and conservative, embodying the religion in every aspect of life. Hasids also incorporate Jewish mysticism into their teachings. Orthodox - Orthodox Judaism has several sub-denominations, the most common being Modern Orthodox. In general, Orthodox Jews stringently adhere to all laws and customs of the religion, while Modern Orthodox Jews typically try to balance a secular lifestyle with that as well. Conservative - Conservative Jews are generally more lenient in observance than Orthodox Jews, but conservatives are adherent to the basic values and tradition of the religion. Reform - This denomination is quite lenient in observance, though aware of the basic values and traditions of Judaism. Reconstructionist - This denomination is also very lenient in observance. They practice a mostly secular lifestyle.
Take a class, or seek a Hebrew tutor. Ask a rabbi for advice on how to best study basic Hebrew.
Border Lines by Daniel Boyarin. Between Muslim and Jew by Steven Wasserstrom. The Compunctious Poet by Ross Brann. Two Nations in Your Womb by Israel Jacob Yuval. Founder of Hasidism by Murray Jay Rosman.
The Jewish Museum in Berlin. Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York City. The Holocaust Museum in Washington D. C. Jewish Children’s Museum in Brooklyn. The Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco.
Bringing a meal to an elderly neighbor. Offering to watch your friend’s children when they cannot. Bringing food to your local food pantry. Donating money to charitable organizations.
Matzoh ball soup. Challah bread. Kugel. Potato latkes. Jelly-filled sufganiyot. Rugelach.
The Laws of Gravity by Liz Rosenberg. Kaaterskill Falls by Allegra Goodman. The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker. Herzog by Saul Bellow. The Innocents by Francesca Segal.
Services are commonly held on Shabbat eve (Friday night), Shabbat morning (Saturday morning), and late Shabbat afternoon (Saturday afternoon). You might also attend services on Jewish holidays, such as Yom Kippur. This is an important way to get to know your local community and to learn more about Jewish traditions.
Kvetch - to complain. Mazel Tov - good luck. Oy vey - an exclamation of dismay. Shlemiel - a clumsy person.
The Sabbath starts at sundown every Friday and ends when there are three stars in the sky on Saturday night. Other non-Orthodox denominations follow the rules of the Sabbath to varying degrees.
For items that come in wrappers or containers, make sure they have the hechsher symbol (most commonly are seen as a U inside a circle or a K, but can be other symbols) Do not eat shellfish or fish that don’t have scales Do not eat pig meat or the meat of any other animal without split hooves that does not chew its cud. Do not eat dairy and meat together.
In most instances, you must promise to accept of the yoke of the commandments (or kabbalat ol ha-mitzvot).
