Who are these people, what do they
all have in common?
Reform, Conservative and
Orthodox Jews
Draw the diagram of the different kinds
To describe
the 3 Jewish denominations in
of Jews
.
Judaism today
Where would you put:
To contrast
difference
1. Daniel Radcliffe
(Harrythe
Potter)
2. Adam
Sandlerthe
(Bedtime
stories,
Anger Jews
To evaluate
lifestyle
of Orthodox
Management)
3. Mayim Bialik (Big Bang theory, Curb your
Enthusiasm, Blossom)
4. Sigmund Freud
5. No famous jews from this category
Types of Jews
Religious
-
Orthodox
Conservative
Reform/
liberal
Secular (nonreligious jews)
- don’t think of
themselves as Jewish
(only have Jewish
surname)
- do think of themselves
as Jewish, but don’t
follow the religion
What’s the difference?
•
•
•
Orthodox believe both the Written Law (the Torah)
and an Oral Law are given and written by God. They
do not believe these laws can be changed.
Conservative Jews believe the laws should be
observed but that Conservative rabbis can change
laws. Also, they do not believe that God actually
wrote the Torah.
Reform/ Liberal Jews do not believe in the divine
authorship of the Torah, and do not believe that
any of the laws are binding (except the 10
Commandments) . They think every Jew should
only take from Judaism what is meaningful to
him/her. Reform Jews can seem very similar to
Secular Jews, who follow no religion.
Explain the difference
between Orthodox Jews and
the other 2 groups.
Explain the difference
between liberal and
conservative Jews.
**Which of the groups of
Jews do you think really
deserve the label “Jewish”?
Orthodox Jews
What is the lifestyle of an Orthodox Jew like?
- Strict following of 613 laws
- Separation from secular culture: eg ?no movies,
magazines, mixing
- Men and women segregation eg?
- Education: 7 hrs of Torah study, but only 1hr of
secular education – no skills!
- Strong community feeling: friendships, support, life
together
- Crime: physical, sexual, emotional abuse goes
unreported as this would betray the community.
1. Describe how the
lifestyle of a Hasidic Jew
is unique.
2. What are the benefits of
their lifestyle for them?
3. What are the costs/
problems?
**Should Hasidic Jews be
supported by state benefits
so that they can continue
living their lifestyle?
“The only true Jews are the Orthodox”.
Do you agree?
• Orthodox Jews believe God has promises a
Messiah, and promised the Jews a homeland.
You should not try and create a homeland by
force.