Judaism
Judaism is not so much a religion, rather a way of life. To be a Jew means first and foremost to belong to a group, the Jewish people, and the religious beliefs are secondary, in a sense to this corporate allegiance. (de Lange, pg. 4) A person does not necessarily need to be religious in order to be a Jew, and because of this, there are many different ways a Jew may formulate their Jewish identity.
Religion is a major ingredient of Judaism. By observing Jewish religious holidays, studying Jewish religious texts, praying, or engaging in any other form of Jewish religious activity, a person is expressing their Jewish identity in a religious aspect. A Jew may make religion a major part in their life, it may be one of the main parts of their Jewish identity and they may follow each guideline to a tee, or a Jew may engage in very little (or even none at all) religious activity. They may pick and choose which religious aspects means the most to them, and which they feel is important to express and exercise. By choosing which part of religious practices as well as which form of Judaism they want to follow (Modern, Reform, Conservative, Traditional), a person is also choosing and creating their Jewish identity.
Many people refer back down their line of ancestors in order to search for their identity. Prominent Jewish history in a person’s family brings fourth an identity. Technically, a person is Jewish because they are born or bred into the Jewish culture. The fact that a person is born Jewish may be their only form of Jewish identity, however, many Jews immerse themselves in Jewish history learning from it, living by it and expressing themselves after feeling a sense of affection and connection with it. According to Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, modern Jewish communities and the modern Jewish identity are influenced by antisemitism. (Sacks, 1997) Many Jews were left without a homeland and no where to go. They suffered persecution, were abused and
Religion is a major ingredient of Judaism. By observing Jewish religious holidays, studying Jewish religious texts, praying, or engaging in any other form of Jewish religious activity, a person is expressing their Jewish identity in a religious aspect. A Jew may make religion a major part in their life, it may be one of the main parts of their Jewish identity and they may follow each guideline to a tee, or a Jew may engage in very little (or even none at all) religious activity. They may pick and choose which religious aspects means the most to them, and which they feel is important to express and exercise. By choosing which part of religious practices as well as which form of Judaism they want to follow (Modern, Reform, Conservative, Traditional), a person is also choosing and creating their Jewish identity.
Many people refer back down their line of ancestors in order to search for their identity. Prominent Jewish history in a person’s family brings fourth an identity. Technically, a person is Jewish because they are born or bred into the Jewish culture. The fact that a person is born Jewish may be their only form of Jewish identity, however, many Jews immerse themselves in Jewish history learning from it, living by it and expressing themselves after feeling a sense of affection and connection with it. According to Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, modern Jewish communities and the modern Jewish identity are influenced by antisemitism. (Sacks, 1997) Many Jews were left without a homeland and no where to go. They suffered persecution, were abused and