Judaism interview for world religions report?

1. In Judaism, You must marry a Jew. Really when i am in a serious relationship with a non-jew, there must be talks on this situation. But i mainly date Jewish women(not on purpose; i don't discriminate) so really isnt a problem and is more on the issue of observance than identity.

2. Chanukkah is a Rabbinical holiday that commemorates when the second temple(the first was destroyed) was dedicated. Chanukah means dedication in Hebrew. There are many ways of spelling Chanukah, Chanukkah, Hanukah, Hanukkah. But Ch- is alot more perfered from what i believe because Chanukah has the letter Chet which makes a Ch as in BaCH rather than H as in hair.

3. On Chanukah, There are many traditions that differ from each Jewish ethnic group(Ashkenazi- Eastern European Jews, Sephardic- Spanish and Portugese Jews and Mizrahi- Middle Eastern and Oriental Jews) but the norm is to eat, light a Menorah, and enjoy family and friends. Traditionally Ashkenazi Jews eat latkes. Sephardic Jews eat Bunelos which are small fritters made into balls and Mizrahim usually eat either Bunelos or some other dessert. Universally around Judaism, especially Israel, Sufangiyot are popular Chanukah doughnuts filled with jelly and a choice of toppings.

4. On Chanukkah, We visit family members during the day and at night we go to a family members house for that night or one of the eight nights at our house and have a party with candlelighting, Chanukah games, lots of food and fun. We also give small gifts and two big gifts on the first and last night. This is a modern invention for gift giving on Chanukah and many still give gelt(chocolate monies) instead of gifts. Our family doesnt give gelt which is a Ashkenazi tradition, we are Mizrahi/Sephardic

5. We mourn and feel for those who died or who were affected. I have Russian Jewish relatives(rest are Sephardic) and they were believed to have been in the holocaust, we are still researching if so(a family member is).

6. No, Never. I love Judaism too well to do so.

7. It hasnt affected it in a bad way. Judaism mostly helps me think before i do things. It keeps me grounded and not to be so wild but not to be boring or unapproachable. Just that fine line.

9. I have recieved my fair share of attacks. A teacher told me to take my kippah off once when in class which is well against school rules but i was a kid then. couldnt do anything. Was sent to the office until her class was over. Some for example showed me a picture of hitler while laughing but they were a small few, ignorant few.

10. Wow. Can't truely list them all because some make unofficial ones. But here are the official ones: Orthodox(Hasidic, Haredi, Modern Orthodox), Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist, Secular Humanist, Karaite, and Jewish Renewal. Orthodox is the most traditional. Conservative is that centrist gap bettween the traditional(Orthodox) and not so traditional (Reform). Reform is the largest movement in Judaism and believes Halacha(Jewish law) can be made modern and believes it up to the individual how they may observe Judaism. Reconstructionist Judaism has Conservative values but believes Judaism should be observed because we are a civialization according to Reconstructionist Judaism. Secular Humanist believes that human things should be valued as well as things that can be seen. Jewish Renewal is a movement created by a former Chabad rabbi. The movement worships G-d but believes that observance should be spiritual similar to Hasidic traditions.

11.

-Rosh Hashana - Jewish new year

-Yom Kippur - Day of Atonment

-Sukkot - Feast of Tabernacles

-Simchat Torah/ Shemini Atzeret - Celebrating ending and beginning of Torah cycle

-Chanukah - Festival of lights

-Tevet 10 - Mourning Fast

-Purim - Story of Queen Esther and Mordechai

-Passover - Exodus from Egypt.

-Lag B' Omer - Celebrating the counting of the Omer

-Shavout - Ten commandments

12. Similar to question 7. Judaism has made my life stable. Keeps me grounded and not too wild.

13. Not many. Getting off early on Friday afternoon because of Shabbat prep. Saying no to many things. Really there arent many challenges.

my answer: I will pass this along to my Jewish contacts since no one Jewish has answered yet. SDA means Seventh Day Adventist, a Christian denomination, not Jewish.

I am studying Judaism with the possibility of converting. Not sure if that's close enough for your schoolwork but I'll answer to the best of my ability.

1. It makes me more aware of others and more focused on my charity work (I did quite a bit before, now it's even more on my mind).

2. The Festival of Lights - a celebration of the re-dedication of the temple after it had been defiled by a king wanting to convert the Jews to Hellenistic paganism.

3. Light a candle on the first night and add one each night to night 8. Eat latkes - potato pancakes, say prayers and celebrate.

4. Daily prayer, attending synagogue, helping to "repair the world", caring for family and community.

5. A good friend's mother barely escaped Germany - most of her family didn't. He's very anti-Nazi and was pleased to learn that we are as well. Knowing that people were singled out for destruction just because of their religion (sexual orientation, handicap or ethnic background) makes me and others around me very aware of just how far anti-Semitism and hatred can go. Hearing about swastikas being spray painted on synagogues or about attacks against Jews shows antisemitism is still active.

6. I was raised Christian, I've been pagan and possibly converting to Judaism.

7. A connection to a people that have fought incredible odds, who embrace and encourage questions and learning. You aren't told what to believe by anyone. A rabbi is a teacher, not an intermediary or instructor telling one how to believe.

8. Yes. Swastikas spray painted on synagogues, rantings against Jewish on here daily, death threats to anyone who identifies as Jewish happen weekly. I've been told repeatedly that I shouldn't convert to Judaism but should go back to Christianity or Islam - when I decline politely sometimes people get threatening or insulting.

9. Yes, after losing contact with my spirituality a couple of years ago I didn't think I'd find it again, especially in another religion. I'm overjoyed to find a connection in Judaism and do think that there is a different mindset with people of different religions.

10. Reconstruction, Reform, Conservative, Humanistic, Orthodox (with some sects within that)

11. http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday0.htm

12. pass

13. As someone new to the religion: learning all I need to know to practice the religion. Challenges can be keeping kosher, dealing with non-Jewish relatives and holidays. Dealing with non-Jewish friends.

1) Made me more accepting of others

2) Hanukkah (Hebrew: חנוכה‎, IPA: ['χanuka], alt. Chanukah), also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt of the 2nd century BCE.

3) The festival is observed by the kindling of the lights of a special candelabrum, the nine-branched Menorah or Hanukiah, one light on each night of the holiday, progressing to eight on the final night. An extra light called a shamash (Hebrew: "guard" or "servant") is also lit each night, and is given a distinct location, usually higher or lower than the others. The purpose of the extra light is to adhere to the prohibition, specified in the Talmud

4) SDA, Seventh day Sabbath, Baptism by emersion

6) No way, i havent found another faith that follows the Bible so correctly.

Sorry just to many to answer at length. :O) God Bless

3. Hanukkah, New year, etc. 6. Reform, Orthodox, & Conservative. 8. Torah or Tanakh 9. Moses, etc. 10. Believe in one God. No sibling, parent, son, or daughter. Believe in Satan, not the devil. Jesus a false prophet. Believe in heaven and eternal punishment.

To many questions all at once. Try one at a time.