Judaism

Research Topics:

1. Compare marriage ceremonies and obligations of marriage. Be sure to analyze diversity of practice within religions as well. Jewish Weddings

2. Compare coming of age ceremonies and obligations of rights of passage. Be sure to analyze diversity of practice within religions as well. • bar-mitzvah, circumcision, confirmation, baptism, golden thread, rice-eating The Significance of Water in Judaism

3. Compare death and mourning traditions and purposes. Be sure to analyze diversity of practice within religions as well. Funerals

4. Compare design, elements and functions of places of worship. Be sure to analyze diversity of practice within religions as well.

• Hindu temple, Buddhist temple, Synagogue, Mosque Catholic church vs. Protestant church, Eastern Orthodox Comparing the synagogue and mosque

5. Compare design, element and function of sacred places. Be sure to analyze diversity of practice within religions as well. • Ganges, Angkor What, Church of nativity, Church of Holy Sepulcher, Tomb of Patriarchs, Kaaba, Dome of the Rock, Varanasi, Wailing Wall, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath

6. Compare founders and prophets. Be sure to analyze diversity of practice within religions as well. • Abraham, Moses, Mohammad, Jesus, Buddha Moses-How His Teachings Were Received, Gods Effect on Abraham's Life Moses' Birth Story Miracles of Buddha, Jesus, and Moses Moses' Relationship with God

7. Compare creation, role and purpose of dietary laws. Be sure to analyze diversity of practice within religions as well. • Kosher, Halal • The Laws of Kashrut (Kosher)

8. Belief about the afterlife- Heaven, Hell, Purgatory, Nirvana, Moksa Judaism-Afterlife

9. Prayer & Meditation- Breathing, Prayer Beads, purpose of prayer, analysis of text of prayers Morning Prayer

The Ladder of Charity

Prayer- Judaism and Islam

Comparing Prayer Objects in Judaism, Christianity, and Buddhism -How do objects assist in prayer?

10. Religious standpoints on religious war- jihad, martyrdom, masada Jewish Martyrdom