Understanding Judaism: Resources
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Learn basic and detailed information about Jewish traditions, holidays, beliefs, and more.
The course is designed to teach helpful information about being Jewish whether you were born and raised Jewish, are curious about Judaism, or interested in becoming Jewish.
The classes will include (click topic name to go to class details and links):
1 Intro: Calendar
2 Shabbat
3 Holy Days & Holidays
4 Life Cycle
5 Kashrut - What is Keeping Kosher?
6 Jewish Symbols - at Home and More
7 Jewish Concepts
Text: Every Person’s Guide to Judaism (Stephen J. Einstein & Lydia Kukoff), 1989 UAHC Press
(Note: there is a newer text, but this will be the version we will use for the class.)
CLICK HERE for the Playlist of YouTube videos of Rabbi Jana teaching the class over the years.
Intro: Jewish Calendar Basics
- CLICK HERE for PDF handout about Jewish Calendar
- CLICK HERE for link to the Hebrew Calendar website HebCal
- CLICK HERE for details about the Jewish Year from JewFaq
- B'nai Zion Calendar (dates, candle lighting times, events; logged-in members also see life-cycle events)
- List of holidays (cute) - We are Alive! Are There Trees?
Videos of Classes
- CLICK HERE for 1st Class: About the Jewish Calendar YouTube Wednesday, January 12
- CLICK HERE for 1st Class: About the Jewish Calendar YouTube Thursday, January 13, 2022
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Shabbat
Shabbat How to Links:
- CLICK HERE for BimBam Shabbat videos
- CLICK HERE for the Union of Reform Movement's Guide to Shabbat
- CLICK HERE for Shabbat from My Jewish Learning
- CLICK HERE for the 39 Forbidden Types of Work from the Orthodox Union
Rabbi Jana sings Shabbat Songs (on YouTube)
- CLICK HERE for "Bim Bam Shabbat Shalom"
- CLICK HERE for "Mah Yafeh Hayom" ("How Beautiful is the Day")
- CLICK HERE for "Chiri Bim"
Videos of B'nai Zion Shabbat Services
-CLICK HERE for the B'nai Zion YouTube Channel - watch new and archived Shabbat services
-CLICK HERE to go to the B'nai Zion page for the current service
Videos of Classes
-CLICK HERE for 2nd Class: Shabbat YouTube Wednesday, January 19, 2022
- CLICK HERE for 2nd Class: Shabbat YouTube Thursday, January 20, 2022
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Holy Days & Holidays
Jewish Holidays Links:
- Holiday Information from B'nai Zion
- Most Important Jewish Holidays Cheat Sheet (from 18 Doors / Jewish Interfaith)
- Jewish Holiday Calendar from URJ (Reform Judaism)
- Passover Guide (My Jewish Learning)
Rabbi Jana's Online Holiday Games
- Shofar Blaster from Rabbi Jana, Max & Ron: How to Video / Shofar Blaster Game
- Lulav Shake (for Sukkot) from Rabbi Jana, Max & Ron
- Gragger-naut (for Pandemic Purim) by Ron
Videos for Holy Days and Holidays
- Holy Days and Holidays services at B'nai Zion YouTube Playlist
- High Holy Day Selections from B'nai Zion YouTube Playlist
Videos of Classes
- Holidays Lesson from Rabbi Jana 2015
- Holy Days Lesson from Rabbi Jana January 26, 2022 (1 of 2)
- Holidays Lesson from Rabbi Jana January 27, 2022 (2 of 2)
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Jewish Life Cycle
Jewish Life Cycle Links:
- You Gotta Know These (NAQT - National Academic Quiz Tournaments)
- Judaism 101 (Jewish FAQ)
- Bim Bam Video Life Cycle Guides
- Aish.com (Videos & Articles)
- Lifecycle Events (Chabad - Orthodox)
- RitualWell (Reconstructionist)
Specific Information:
Bar Mitzvah
- Watch the Moshe Harary video (and poke around at Aish.com)
- Playlist (YouTube) of B'nai Mitzvah at B'nai Zion
Wedding
- Rabbi Jana's sample core wedding service
Death
- B'nai Zion's Funeral and Mourning Guide
- Playlist (YouTube) of Funerals at B'nai Zion
Video
- CLICK HERE to watch class from Thursday, February 3 (there is no recording from 2/2/22)
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Kashrut - Keeping Kosher
Links and Resources about Keeping Kosher:
- Bible Belt Balabusta - Hands on Activities to learn about what is Kosher
- Jewish 101 (aka JewFaq) Kashrut: Jewish Dietary Laws
Kosher Symbols
- Circle K / Is it Kosher?
- Chabad discusses Kosher Symbols
- OU Kosher - product list online search database
CLICK HERE to watch class from Thursday, February 10 (there is no recording from 2/9/22)
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Jewish Symbols
CLICK HERE to watch the class from Wednesday, February 16, 2022
CLICK HERE to watch the class from Thursday, February 17, 2022
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Jewish Concepts
CLICK HERE to watch the class from Wednesday, February 23, 2022
CLICK HERE to watch the class from Thursday, February 24, 2022
Conversion Questions for Reflection CLICK HERE.
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