Judaism WebQuest

Holy Items
1. A synagogue serves as a place of gathering, study, and prayer that all involve meeting, communicating, and praying with others who practice the faith.
2. In a synagogue, the Ark is located on the eastern wall side and serves to house the Torah Scrolls when they aren't being used or the focal point of prayers. The Torah Scrolls are read from during worship or study. Men and women are separated in the synagogue. It appears that the Ten Commandments are located on the outside of the synagogue above or incorporated in the door frame and serve to remind people of G-d's laws given to Moses.
3. A rabbi is a Torah expert persay and guides those of the Jewish faith. He also does the basics such as weddings, funerals, and sermons on "High Holidays". A Jew becomes a rabbi by taking many tests based on the Torah and Talmud usually studied in a special school, "yeshiva" and receives ordination after passing these tests. The rabbi doesn't have to dress in special clothes like other clergymen of other faiths, he can dress like a Jew and does not have to practice abstinence (he can marry and have kids). The rabbi is like a consultant of Jewish law and can answer many questions about rules and behaviors. He also counsels those who need it and encourages all his community to strive to be better.
4. The Shabbat is a special day for Jews in which they can feast and enjoy the day and become more spiritually enriched. It occurs once every week on the seventh day.
5. The Torah is the law and teachings for Jews comprised of the Old Testament for Jews. Talmud refers to interpretation and meaning of the Torah and is called the "Oral Torah". The two Talmuds are the Jerusalem and Babylonian Talmud. 
6. Orthodox- follow the Torah and Talmud, believing the Torah is the orginal text (hasn't been edited)
Reform- The Torah was a work in progress (it became what it is over time); they are free as to what they believe and can change (hence "reform").
Conservative- a mixture of qualities that describe Reform or Orthodox facets such as G-d sending a Torah but humans contributing to it. Obedience but change is acceptable.
Zionist- a branch created by Theodor Herzl and a few years later became a response to the Holocaust and Jews sought a place in Palestine. More of a political branch.
Language
7. Hebrew- language of the early jews (a Semetic language) which stopped being used for communication for ahwile but continued as a language read for rituals and tradition like Latin. Many people speak Hebrew today.
8. Yiddish- language of Ashkenazic Jews (a Germanic Language). Yiddish means "Jewish" and is spoke by majority ordinary people (as opposed to the extraordinary scholars).
9. Mazal Tov- Congratulations!
Shalom- Hello! Peace! Goodbye
Mitzvah- Precept/Commandment
10. Brit Milah (Bris)- circumcision! on the eighth day after birth, a boy is circumcised to illustrate the covenant
Bar/Bat Mitzvah- "age of responsibility for the commandments" at thirteen a boy's initiation into the faith as an adult, at age twelve for girls. They recite from the Torah. 
Jewish Marriage- with the help of a shadchan (matchmaker), Jews get married after many traditions leading up. (not to be married on Shabbat or holidays b/c they don't mix special ocassions)
11. Rosh Hoshanah-"head of the year"-celebration of the new year (a no work day!)
Yom Kippur- "day of atonement"-most important holiday in order to "atone" all the sins and repent for sins against God (no work again! but no eating or drinking either)
Hanukah- a sort of Jewish Christmas celebrating eigth days and candle lighting
Passover- celebration of the passing over of the Jews in Egypt celebrated on teh 15th day of the month of Nissan.
12. I knew a primary language of scripture was Hebrew
13. I like the dynamic of Judaism and how helpful and cool a rabbi seems for Jews (I thought it interesting that he dresses like any other Jew to show he is equal)
14. A similar tradition is probably the shabbat as it is correlated with the Sabbath as a day of rest and joy.
15. Something different is the Bar/Bat Mitzvah because although I have Confirmation, I don't have anything like the Mitzvah.