Understanding Orthodox Judaism: Exploring Traditions and Beliefs

1. Do now activity… What do we know about Judaism? • Where did it start? • How many followers? • Traditional language? • Holy text? • Different groups within Judaism?

2. Ideas/ Objectives… • Dispelling stereotypes • Exploring different worldviews • Understanding different groups within a religion • Interfaith/interdenominational dialogue

3. In your head… • What do you think when you see these photos? • What is your first impression of Orthodox Jews?

4. Orthodox Judaism (in short!) Orthodox Judaism is the collective term for the traditional branches of Judaism. • Orthodox Jews believe the Torah both written and oral, was revealed by God to Moses on Mount Sinai and faithfully passed on ever since. • Orthodox Judaism, therefore, advocates a strict observance of Jewish law, • Key practices are observing the Sabbath, eating kosher, and Torah study. • Key beliefs include a future Messiah (saviour) who will restore Jewish practice by gathering all Jews in Israel, belief in a future bodily resurrection of the dead, divine reward and punishment for the righteous and the sinners. • Orthodox Judaism is not a centralized denomination. Relations between its different subgroups are sometimes strained, and the exact limits of Orthodoxy are subject to intense debate. Very roughly, it may be divided between Haredi Judaism which is more conservative and reclusive, and Modern Orthodox Judaism which is relatively open to outer society. • Each of those is itself formed of independent communities. Together, they are almost uniformly exclusionist, regarding Orthodoxy not as a variety of Judaism, but as Judaism itself. • While adhering to traditional beliefs, it has only been around since the 18thCentury • The strictly observant Orthodox are a definite minority among all Jews, but there are also numerous semi- and non-practicing individuals who affiliate or identify with Orthodoxy. It is the largest Jewish religious group, estimated to have over 2 million practicing adherents, and at least an equal number of nominal members. •

5. Our Enquiry into Orthodox Judaism… Let’s visit the family! • BBC - Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over, Series 2, Strictly Orthodox Jews • Active watching and answering of questions (scaffolding – some of what was in the reading article is repeated in the doc. This is intentional for different learners to pick up info at different stages/ in different ways)

6. Questions for Documentary Questions as they watch. 1. What is a Rabbi? 2. What is Orthodox Judaism in your own words? 3. Why has Rabbi Wollenberg agreed to be filmed? 4. State 2 beliefs held by this Jewish family 5. State 2 practices this Jewish family do as part of their faith. 6. What discrimination does the Wollenberg family face? Reflection questions/The bigger picture. 1. Do you think it was a good idea for Stacey to interview the Wollenberg Family? Explain your answer. 2. How important is it for people to share their beliefs and practices with others? 3. Would you feel more confident to explain orthodox Jewish traditions to others now? Homework Tell someone at home. (sharing awareness, articulating understanding, promoting different worldviews)

7. Questions for debate at the end? ‘All Jewish people have the same beliefs and practices’ ‘Orthodox Judaism does not work with the modern world’ ‘Orthodoxy and extremism are the same’ ‘Orthodox Judaism is misunderstood’

8. What will you take home today? 1. A skill? 2. A misunderstanding you can now correct? 3. An interesting fact?

9. Read/ Watch list!