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Running head: MINORITY RELIGION

Minority religion

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MINORITY RELIGION 2

Introduction

Since the colonial times, the Jews has been part of the American social fabrics. Up until

the late 1830s, the Jewish community in South Carolina was at the time the largest religious

group in North America. At the beginning of the 90s, numerous of Jewish followers left the

country to enter the United States and by 1940s, the Jewish community had comprised three and

a half percent of the population. Even though, the population is currently shrinking due to

smaller sizes of families and marriages between interfaith which results to non-observance. The

paper covers a review of Jewish religion in the United States. Some of the subtopics covered

include the organization and practice of Jewish faith, the extent to which the doctrine become a

resource for the individual and collective entities of immigrants, whether local citizens convert to

the religion an how its practices and values affects the predominant norms in the United States

Jewish Organization, Practices and Experiences in the United States

Judaism is the religion of Jews. The followers of the faith are approximately 13.5 million

internationally with roughly 5.3 million living in the United States. Jews have various forms of

teaching and practices expected of all their followers.

Theology/ Major Teachings

At the heart of Judaism religion, there is the belief that there is only one eternal God in

existence, who is the one and only creator and ruler of the globe and all that it poses. According

to Jews, God is translucent and eternal, and he has the capabilities to see and know everything.

The essence of their faith is contained in the biblical Shema that they recite every other morning.

Their religion law is guided by the six hundred and thirteen Godly commandments from Torah.

Recently, some of their factions have departed from the traditional role and with the passage of

time Jews have significant groups developed in their religion in which has variations concerning

MINORITY RELIGION 3

their religious leaders and with the aspect of observing their beliefs and practices with respect.

Some of the groups include Orthodox, conservative and reform Judaism among others

(Wertheimer, 1997).

Worship Ceremonies and Rites

Jews have private services in which a devout Jew is expected to communicate with their

God three time in a day. According to ((Wertheimer, 1997). In addition to these morning

services, a morning worship occur during the Sabbath and festivals accompanied by special

prayers. Corporate practices conducted by fewer men and women who are given that the

opportunity with some parts of the prescribed sections omitted since the role entirely belongs to

the Minyan. Those who are not considered as proper Jews cannot in any way serve in a Minyan

The Sabbath Day and other Holy Days Festivals

Judaism followers do not have the permission to work or engage in their daily weekly

choirs on the Sabbath day since the day is purely devoted to worship and other related spiritual

ceremonies. According to the bible, there are some mandated festivals which follow the same

rules as the Sabbath day but, with special observances and practices. Their post biblically days is

not as restrictive, and they have their customs. The celebration of these parties occurs as part of a

shared religious experiences as many of Judaism followers as possible.

Judaism Calendar Dates for Holy Days and Festivals

The Jewish calendar is a lunar one opposed to the Gregorio calendar used by other

religions around the globe. These schedules are readily available from the Jewish chaplaincies

and most of the synagogues. The charts of dates for some years are also readily available for the

planning purposes. For instance the Sabbath, all Jewish festivals and days considered holy begin

at exactly or before sundown and terminate shortly after the son is down (Wertheimer, 1997).

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Death and Burial Practices

Any Judaism followers who are at an immediate risk of losing their lives should get the

opportunity to establish a religious confession performed under the authority of the religious

leaders. Also, cremation, embalming and other evils of dead bodies are prohibited. Their medical

examiners have the power to release a dead body without conducting an autopsy under cases of

non-homicides.

Dietary Restrictions

Jews have a dietary law known as Kashruth, and it is a very significant aspect of

Orthodox religious observers and many conservative. The foods that are fit for the Jews to

consume and the manners in which they handle these foods is specified in the Torah as define in

the ribbic law. These laws are complex and only kosher supervisory personnel are allowed to

make decisions on these kosher diets. These diets are either divided into either milk meat or

pareve. For the meat and milk, cannot combine while eating or cooking, and they require

separate preparation and cooking. Only meat from the kosher animals is termed suitable for

consumption. There exist various organizations responsible for the supervision of the production

of kosher foods. These agencies easily identify via their unique registered symbols which are

prominently placed on labels they are certified.

Extent to Which Judaism Become A Resource for the Individual and Collective Identities

of Immigrants

In the coming times, Judaism will become less distinguishable from the rest of the other

immigrant groups. According to (Soysal, 2000), the non-Jews have the readiness to intermarry

with Jews especially those in the upper class. Most of Judaism followers believe that the high

rates of intermarriages with other religions lead to the disappearance of their community. Most

of them prefer to marry from their own to maintain their faith and different beliefs and practices.

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The selection of a love partner is based ideally on romantic feelings not considering the race and

social class among others. Also, they feel destiny and concentration which is the proportion that

the subgroup constitutes of their total population. The Jewish communities are doing everything

to prevent intermarriage which is bound to happen in a nation where democracy and

individualism are valued. Jews believe that if they do not intermarry, they think that it is easy to

retain their religion and culture.

Americans Converting to Judaism

Numerous Native American have converted and started following Judaism religion.

These converters either did it as individuals, groups or tribes. According to (Sarna, 2004), some

influential figures in the United States such as Madonna and Moore converted to Judaism, but

they do not and are not considered Jews since they follow the mystical teaching of Judaism

known as Kabbalah. Many of the natives do not entertain the thought of converting to Judaism,

and there are some cases where some converts have been physically hurt and humiliated in

public because the country is dominated by Christianity followers who believe that their religion

should the only dominant group in the country. Even though some have decided to introduce

Judaism teachings in the country and a rabbi agreed to oversee the studying. Those who covert

have the chance to find out that Judaism is not only exciting but, also helpful in their religious

beliefs because Judaism is just like any other religious group which has its practices and beliefs.

Judaism Beliefs and Practices Articulate With the Predominant Values and Norms of the

United States

After entirely migrating to the United States, most of these Jewish religion followers have

managed to learn and appreciate the norms established in the country. According to (Fooner,

1997), most of them have the willingness to adapt to the rules in America since it is the only way

to fit and relate easily to the natives. Jews believe in the strictness of adhering to their religion

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but, this does not hinder them for adapting to various norms after they become immigrants.

Specific practices and beliefs strictly remain part of whom they are but, they have to adjust to

other social rules in the United States since it is the only way to establish means of forming a

stable relationship with the natives. Following the social norms in the country gives them a sense

of belonging since they can fit in the society just like the natives. Judaism is a strict religion, and

all its followers are expected to adhere to its practices and beliefs but, that does not mean that

they cannot adopt other social norms. Jews can learn different standards provided they maintain

their beliefs and practices as their religion expects them.

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References

Foner, N. (1997). The immigrant family: Cultural legacies and cultural changes. International

migration review, 961-974.

Sarna, J. D. (2004). American Judaism: a history. Yale University

Soysal, Y. N. (2000). Citizenship and identity: living in diasporas in post-war Europe?. Ethnic

and racial studies, 23(1), 1-15.

Wertheimer, J. (1997). A people divided: Judaism in contemporary America. Brandeis Univ.

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