This simple, introductory guide answers 100 of the basic questions non-Jews ask in everyday conversation. It has answers about Judaism and Jewish culture, customs, identity, language, stereotypes, politics, education, work, families and food. This guide is meant as a quick, introduction for non-Jews in business, schools, congregations, government, medicine, law enforcement, human resources who need a starting point in learning about Jewish neighbors and co-workers. It can lead to deeper conversations.
Questions include:
Are Jews a religion, race, ethnicity, nationality, culture or a people?
What is the Jewish Diaspora?
Are all Jewish people ritually observant?
What do we call the Jewish religion?
How did Judaism begin?
What is the Torah?
What is the Tanakh?
What is the Talmud?
What does it mean to be "God's chosen people?"
What is the difference between a rabbi and a cantor?
Why do some Jewish people not drive, use electricity or engage in certain other activities on Shabbat?
Why are there so many Jewish holidays from work or school?
What are the major branches of Judaism?
How many synagogues are in the United States?
Can non-Jews attend Jewish services?
How are Judaism, Christianity and Islam alike?
How are Judaism, Christianity and Islam different?
Who are Jews for Jesus?
How long have Jewish people lived in the United States?
What is the Jewish leadership structure?
What is the language of Jewish prayer and the Torah?
Is the Hebrew in the Torah the same as spoken Hebrew?
What is the difference between Hebrew and Yiddish?
What is the guttural sound used in Hebrew?
Which is correct, temple or synagogue?
Can you tell whether someone is Jewish by the name?
Do Jewish people prefer to keep to themselves?
Why do Orthodox Jews have a distinctive way of dressing?
Are there other traditions for men's hair?
Do Jewish women cover their heads, also?
What does kosher mean?
Is kosher for Passover different from regular kosher?
me Jewish people keep kosher while others do not?
What other foods are associated with Jews?
What is the role of wine in Jewish tradition?
What is the Jewish population in the United States?
What states have the largest Jewish populations?
How well do Jews do economically?
Are Jewish people generous?
Do Jewish people marry outside their religion?
Do most Jewish parents raise their children in the Jewish religion?
What is Judaism's position on birth control?
What is Judaism's position on abortion?
Why is circumcision important?
What is a bar or bat mitzvah?
In a Jewish wedding, why does the groom break a glass?
Does Judaism permit divorce?
What are Jewish traditions for funerals and burial?
Does Judaism permit cremation?
What do Jewish people believe about the afterlife, heaven and hell?
Is Jewish lineage passed down from the mother or the father?
Can women be rabbis and cantors?
Why are women and men separated in Orthodox synagogues?
What does Judaism say about gay rights?
How educated are American Jews?
What is Hillel?
What is the Birthright program?
Which major political party do Jewish voters support?
How many members of Congress are Jewish?
Is there a Jewish lobby?
When and where was the Holocaust?
How many Jews died in the Holocaust?
Who else was killed in the Holocaust?
How is the Holocaust related to the beginnings of modern Israel?
What is a Holocaust denier?
Have Holocaust survivors received reparations?
Why is Jerusalem important to the Jewish people?
What is the Western Wall?
Do Jewish Americans support the policies of Israel?
What is Zionism?
What is anti-Semitism?
How often are hate crimes directed at Jewish people?
Why are Jewish people associated with money?
Do Jewish people control certain industries, such as banking or Hollywood?
Are many American Jews also citizens of Israel?
Why do Jewish people get blamed for trouble?
What is the Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion?
What is a "blood libel"?
"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.