branches of judaism and information?

Now for the groups that are Jewish, from least observant of Jewish law to most:

Renewal/Reconstructionist/Reform

What links these three is the common belief that the Torah is not a divinely inspired document and thus merely a good guideline on achieving spirituality. They are the most liberal of the Jewish branches and people converted by them are NOT recognised as Jews by the other streams of Judaism. Also, they accept both patrilineal and matrilineal descent making soe of those born as Jews in this branch not to be accepted as Jews by orthodox Jews who only accept matrilineal descent.

Conservative/Masorti: Both of thse share the similarity that they believe the Torah to be divinely inspired but they see the oral law to merely be human interpretations by wise mean and subject to reinterpretation by modern Rabbis. As such they do not observe many of the laws and customs that orthodox Jews do. As such, while there conversions are accepted by refrom, they are NOT accepted by Orthodox Jews. Like Reform, they accept both matrilineal and patrilineal descent with the same issues arising as with Reform and Orthodox.

Modern Orthodox/Chareidi/Chassidic: These are the three branches that follow the full Torah and Talmud. The differences between the three comes from varying customs within the branches related to which Rabbis opinions they feel are primary and thus shape their observance (outsiders tend to see one group as more religious than the others- but within Orthodox Judaism everybody accepts everybody else along with their varying customs, without making judgement calls as to calling specific people holier or less holy based on affiliation). Anothe rmajor split in these groups (which is also seen on Conservative Judaism) is based on geographic descent- Jews from the Western countries and Eastenr Europe are Ashkenazim and have different customs to those from Spain and the middle east known as Sephardim. A third grouping is the Yerushalmi- Jews form Jerusalem with their own specific customs and their is a fourth major grouping of from Jews from Rome (I cannot off hand remember the correct term for them).

The similarity between all of them is recognising a single, indivisible God as the creator of the world. Also, all recognise the Torah as central to Judasim (though to different degrees as explained above). Aside from that- the only similarity is their total rejection of Messianic Judaism as being Judaism in any form!

The main branches are:

Orthodox

Conservative

Reform

Reconstructionist

But it's far more complicated than that. There are, for example, traditional Orthodox people, Modern Orthodox, various forms of Ultra Orthodox (often called Chasidim here in the U.S. and called Heredi in Israel.)

Conservatives have traditional Conservatives and Egalitarian Conservatives.

Reform has been battling in the last few years between those who liked the real reformist policies like not wearing yalmulkas or reading the prayer books from left to right instead of right to left, and those who want to have a lot of the theological reforms, while resuming some more traditional practices, more like the Conservative movement.

The Reconstructionists are always remaking their practice, so that's pretty normal for them.

And then there are the Workman's Circle types, who don't believe in Judaism as a religion, but more as a culture of which religion is just one peice.

I grew up sort of what might be called Conservadox - I went to an Orthodox Yesheiva and attended a traditional Conservative synogogue.

Then, as an adult, I joined an Egalitarian Conservative synogogue.

Today, I am not a member or a synogogue, but am a member of a group that is somewhat similar to the Workman's Circle people. My kids study Yiddish,not Hebrew, and learn about European Jewish culture and history, but no-one ever mentions G-d.

So, there are lots of kinds of Jews out there. Just so you know!

Good luck!

These are the branches of Judaism

I. Orthodox Judaism - 1.) Modern Orthodox Judaism 2.) Haredi Judaism - further divide into a.) Hasidic Judaism- Kabbalah based; b.) Lubavitch Hasidim- accept some modern idea.

II. Conservative Judaism- aka Masorti Judaism

III. Reform Judaism,- aka Liberal or Progressive Judaism.

IV Reconstructionist Judaism

V Jewish Renewal.

VI Humanistic Judaism

There are 5 Branches:

1. Orthodox

2. Conserative

3.Reform

4. Reconstructionist

5..Humanistic

PRETTY MUCH the only real difference, generally, between the varietys of Judaism, is observance. most observant to least would be Hassidic, Orthodox, Conservative, Reform.

there are some variations and sects within each group, but its pretty minor and generally un-divided, all Jewish people agree on a few core beliefs, and if those are not agreed on the people aren't really Jewish.

there are one or two (at least) Christian Denominations that CLAIM to be a form of Judaism, but are not. there is ABSOLUTELY NOBODY who is Jewish and believes in Jesus. this is as impossible as someone being Christian and NOT beliving in Jesus.

heres a link or two that might help you understand.

g o o g l e I'll give you a hint: There are four main branches of Judaism today.

Here's the Reform Statement of Principles. Maybe you can find the same for Orthodox and Conservative Judaism.

http://ccarnet.org/Articles/index.cfm?id=44&pge_pr...

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I think there is Orthodox and Reformed Judaism

Hasidic Judaism is one movement within Haredi Judaism. This word derived from the Hebrew word for loving kindness (chesed). The Hasidic movement is unique in its focus on the joyful observance of God’s commandments (mitzvot), heartfelt prayer and boundless love for God and the world He created. Many ideas for Hasidism derived from Jewish mysticism (Kabbalah). The movement originated in Eastern Europe in the 18th century, at a time when Jews were experiencing great persecution. While the Jewish elite focused on and found comfort in Talmud study, the impoverished and uneducated Jewish masses hungered for a new approach. Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer (1700-1760) his following grew, he became known as the Baal Shem Tov (abbreviated as Besht) which means “Master of the Good Name”. In a nutshell, the Baal Shem Tov led European Jewry away from Rabbinism and toward mysticism. The early Hasidic movement encouraged the poor and oppressed Jews of 18th century Europe to be less academic and more emotional, less focused on executing rituals and more focused on experiencing them, less focused on gaining knowledge and more focused on feeling exalted. The way one prayed became more important than one’s knowledge of the prayer’s meaning. Some say that half of European Jews were Hasidic at one time. Hasidic leaders, called tzadikim which is Hebrew for “righteous men”, became the means by which the uneducated masses could lead more Jewish lives. The tzadik was a spiritual leader who helped his followers attain a closer relationship with God. The tzadik would pray on behalf of his followers and advise them on all matters. Like other Haredim, Hasidim don distinctive attire, which is similar to that worn by their ancestors in 18th and 19th century Europe. And the different sects of Hasidim often wear different clothing – such as different hats, robes or socks – that identify their particular sect. The largest Hasidic groups are located today in Israel and the United States. Hasidic Jewish communities also exist in Canada, England, Belgium and Australia. added: Orthodox Judaism believes that both the Written and Oral Torah are of divine origin, containing the exact words of God without any human influence. 13 Principles of Faith are an excellent summary of the core beliefs of Orthodox Judaism. 1. I believe with perfect faith that God is the Creator and Ruler of all things. He alone has made, does make, and will make all things. 2. I believe with perfect faith that God is One. There is no unity that is in any way like His. He alone is our God. He was, He is, and He will be. 3. I believe with perfect faith that God does not have a body. Physical concepts do not apply to Him. There is nothing whatsoever that resembles Him at all. 4. I believe with perfect faith that God is first and last. 5. I believe with perfect faith that it is only proper to pray to God. One may not pray to anyone or anything else. 6. I believe with perfect faith that all the words of the prophets are true. 7. I believe with perfect faith that the prophecy of Moses is absolutely true. He was the chief of all prophets, both before and after Him. 8. I believe with perfect faith that the entire Torah that we now have is that which was given to Moses. 9. I believe with perfect faith that this Torah will not be changed, and that there will never be another given by God. 10. I believe with perfect faith that God knows all of man's deeds and thoughts. It is thus written (Psalm 33:15), "He has molded every heart together, He understands what each one does." 11. I believe with perfect faith that God rewards those who keep His commandments, and punishes those who transgress Him. 12. I believe with perfect faith in the coming of the Messiah. How long it takes, I will await His coming every day. 13. I believe with perfect faith that the dead will be brought back to life when God wills it to happen. In terms of practice, Orthodox Jews strictly follow the Written Torah and the Oral Law. From the time they get up in the morning until they go to bed at night, Orthodox Jews observe God's commandments concerning prayer, dress, food, sex, family relations, social behavior, the Sabbath day, holidays and more. It follows that Orthodox is not a unified movement with a single governing body, but rather many different movements that all strictly observe Judaism. While all orthodox movements are similar in their beliefs and observance, they differ in the details that are emphasized and in their attitudes toward modern culture and the State of Israel. Modern Orthodox tend to be a bit more liberal and more Zionistic. Ultra-Orthodox, including Yeshivah movements and the Chasidic sect, tend to be the least open to change and the most critical of modern society. Mark oneness Pentecostal

www.wikipedia.org "judaism"

good luck on presentation. for grade school?