Investigating Jewish worldviews
This book gives students a chance to examine data on Jewish practice and identity.
Moreover, examines the contexts of some key concepts and teachings, such as:
- Outlining Jewish understandings of the Messiah, explaining how they differ from Christian perspectives.
- Jewish views on the treatment of animals to current debates around veganism.
- Jewish ideas about life after death are set in the context of the development of debates, from the Torah, through rabbinic writings, medieval philosophers and Kabbalah to contemporary understandings.
The purpose of this publication is to create and curate sources and resources that will enrich students’ classroom encounters with a range of Jewish worldviews, accompanied by thoughtful teaching and learning ideas.
Select a topic to explore resources
- Essential data on Jewish identities in the UK and beyond
- Teenage voices - varieties of being Jewish
- How do words shape and express Jewish worldviews?
- Inclusive Judaism
- What can we learn about Jewish experience through synagogues in the UK?
- Influential organisations: the Board of Deputies of British Jews
- What might teachings about the Messiah mean to Jewish people?
- What are Jewish attitudes towards animals?
- Life after death in Jewish thought
External links
- External ‘Jews in the UK in 2013: preliminary findings’ (JPR 2014)
- External ‘Strictly Orthodox rising: What the demography of British Jews tells us about the future of the community’, L. Daniel Staetsky and Jonathan Boyd (JPR 2015)
- External‘Second Survey on Discrimination and Hate Crime against Jews in the EU’ undertaken in 2018 (FRA 2019)
- External'The Jewish identities of European Jews: What, why and how?: What makes a Jewish identity?' (2021) Sergio DellaPergola and L. Daniel Staetsky
- External‘Examining Religion and Belief: Jews’ (RE Today Services 2019)
eResources
- External1.4 Jewish practice and identity: cards
- External1.5 Jewish practice across streams: data
- External1.6 Jewish identity across streams: data
- External1.7 Jewish practice and identity: terms and definitions matching exercise and 'Identity pie' exercise
- External1.7a Answers to terms and definitions matching exercise
- External1.8 Anti semitism in Europe: data
Member Only Content
This content is available exclusively for members. Not yet registered? Sign up today.
eResources
- Internal
Data on Jews in the UK and beyond: numbers and streamInvestigating Jewish Worldviews RE resource for schools, exploring core Jewish beliefs and practices. Ideal for fostering empathy and understanding diverse perspectives. - Internal
Data on Jews in the UK and beyond: practiceInvestigating Jewish Worldviews Part 2 RE resource for schools, exploring Jewish values, traditions, and identity. encourages empathy and understanding of diversity. - Internal
Data on Jews in the UK and beyond: identityInvestigating Jewish Worldviews Part 3 RE resource for schools, exploring Jewish traditions, values, and community life. Enhances understanding of cultural diversity.
eResources
- ExternalFeatures of religion how important are they?
- External'Whose Worldviews?' Free-to-use, interactive classroom resource developed by RE Today. Interactive version of 2.2 questionnaire with automated function to display responses graphically on a spidergraph. Select 'Worldview Impact Spidergram'.
- ExternalFeatures of religion: Spidergraph
- External2.7 Worldviews metaphors: mixing desk
Member Only Content
This content is available exclusively for members. Not yet registered? Sign up today.
eResource
- Internal
Jewish teenagers: how far does their Jewish identity shape their worldviews?Explore how young Jews describe their beliefs and identities, highlighting the influence of Judaism on their worldviews through personal insights and survey data.
External links
eResource
- ExternalHow do texts shape worldview?
Member Only Content
This content is available exclusively for members. Not yet registered? Sign up today.
Student pages
- Internal
How do words shape and express Jewish worldviews? (IW01)Overview of how language and texts shape Jewish beliefs and values. - InternalJewish worldviews: texts that inspireKey Jewish texts shaping worldviews.
External links
- ExternalInclusive Judaism online resource (which includes images from the book and more)
- ExternalPeter’s Projection map: Oxford Cartographers (includes background information about the Peters Projection)
- ExternalPeter’s Projection map: World Maps Online (Gall-Orthographic Projection Map)
Member Only Content
This content is available exclusively for members. Not yet registered? Sign up today.
Student pages
- InternalIW01-Jewish-pp-14_15-Inclusive-Judaism-S.pdf
External links
- ExternalBeverley Jane Stewart’s website
- ExternalBeverley Jane Stewart’s synagogue paintings
- ExternalShul in the Wood (St John’s Wood, London), synagogue featured in Stewart's paintings
- ExternalPrinces Road (Liverpool), synagogue featured in Stewart's paintings
- ExternalVideo about the architecture at Princes Road Synagogue (YouTube)
- ExternalBBC GCSE Bitesize has a wealth of information, video, quizzes and questions about Judaism
- ExternalHoly Cribs: The Synagogue (TrueTube’s ‘Holy Cribs’ series includes a good programme about a London synagogue)
- ExternalA visit to a synagogue (Birmingham Faith Visits have excellent short films about holy buildings including this example of a synagogue virtual tour)
Member Only Content
This content is available exclusively for members. Not yet registered? Sign up today.
Student pages
- Internal
Demographics, data and teenage Jewish voices (p. 17) (IW01)Insights into Jewish teenage voices, with demographic data on Jewish identity and practices, promoting understanding in RE. - InternalSt John’s Wood Synagogue, north LondonOverview of St John's Wood Synagogue's significance.
- InternalPrinces Road Synagogue, LiverpoolOverview of Princes Road Synagogue's significance.
External links
- ExternalBoard of Deputies of British Jews website
- ExternalEmployer's Guide to Judaism (Board of Deputies, updated 2024)
- ExternalCommission on Racial Inclusivity in the Jewish Community (Board of Deputies, 2021)
- ExternalEcoJudaism
- ExternalHidden Treasures
Member Only Content
This content is available exclusively for members. Not yet registered? Sign up today.
Student pages
- Internal
Influential organisations: The Board of Deputies of British Jews (pp. 20-21) (IW01)Overview of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, covering its role, advocacy, and community impact.
External links
- ExternalRabbi Meszler blog: Do Reform Jews believe in the Messiah?
- ExternalWilliam Davidson Talmud
- ExternalAvot de Rabbi Natan 31
eResources
- ExternalTeachings about Messiah in Jewish tradition
- ExternalWhat might teachings about the Messiah mean to Jewish people?
Member Only Content
This content is available exclusively for members. Not yet registered? Sign up today.
Student pages
- Internal
What might teachings about the Messiah mean to Jewish people? (pp. 22-23) (IW01)Exploration of Jewish teachings on the Messiah ís significance.
External links
- ExternalShamayim, Jewish animal advocacy organisation
- ExternalWorking definition of veganism (from The Vegan Society UK)
- ExternalJewish Veg, now the Center for Food Ethics
- External'All Jews should become vegan: Here are 6 reasons why' (The Jerusalem Post, 'Opinion' article by Richard H. Schwartz, 16.02.22)
eResources
- ExternalArguments against veganism
Member Only Content
This content is available exclusively for members. Not yet registered? Sign up today.
Student pages
- InternalWhat are your views on animals?Prompts for students to reflect on their views regarding animals and ethical considerations.
- InternalJewish teachings on animalsJewish teachings on animals, exploring ethical perspectives in the tradition.
- InternalWhat do these five examples from the Torah show us about Jewish attitudes towards animals?Insights from the Torah on Jewish attitudes towards animals, exploring ethical implications.
- InternalIs vegan the new kashrut for the 21st century?Exploring the question of veganism as a modern interpretation of kashrut in Judaism.
Member Only Content
This content is available exclusively for members. Not yet registered? Sign up today.
Student pages
- InternalLife after death in Jewish thought – The TanakhInsights into life after death in Jewish thought, exploring teachings from the Tanakh.
- InternalLife after death in Jewish thought – Rabbinic writingsInsights into life after death in Jewish thought, focusing on Rabbinic writings and their relevance.
- InternalLife after death in Jewish thought – Medieval philosophers to todayInsights into Jewish beliefs about life after death, exploring historical and contemporary views.
Select a topic to explore resources
Essential data on Jewish identities in the UK and beyondTeenage voices - varieties of being JewishHow do words shape and express Jewish worldviews?Inclusive JudaismWhat can we learn about Jewish experience through synagogues in the UK?Influential organisations: the Board of Deputies of British JewsWhat might teachings about the Messiah mean to Jewish people?What are Jewish attitudes towards animals?Life after death in Jewish thought
External links
- External ‘Jews in the UK in 2013: preliminary findings’ (JPR 2014)
- External ‘Strictly Orthodox rising: What the demography of British Jews tells us about the future of the community’, L. Daniel Staetsky and Jonathan Boyd (JPR 2015)
- External‘Second Survey on Discrimination and Hate Crime against Jews in the EU’ undertaken in 2018 (FRA 2019)
- External'The Jewish identities of European Jews: What, why and how?: What makes a Jewish identity?' (2021) Sergio DellaPergola and L. Daniel Staetsky
- External‘Examining Religion and Belief: Jews’ (RE Today Services 2019)
eResources
- External1.4 Jewish practice and identity: cards
- External1.5 Jewish practice across streams: data
- External1.6 Jewish identity across streams: data
- External1.7 Jewish practice and identity: terms and definitions matching exercise and 'Identity pie' exercise
- External1.7a Answers to terms and definitions matching exercise
- External1.8 Anti semitism in Europe: data
Member Only Content
eResources
- Internal Data on Jews in the UK and beyond: numbers and streamInvestigating Jewish Worldviews RE resource for schools, exploring core Jewish beliefs and practices. Ideal for fostering empathy and understanding diverse perspectives.
- Internal Data on Jews in the UK and beyond: practiceInvestigating Jewish Worldviews Part 2 RE resource for schools, exploring Jewish values, traditions, and identity. encourages empathy and understanding of diversity.
- Internal Data on Jews in the UK and beyond: identityInvestigating Jewish Worldviews Part 3 RE resource for schools, exploring Jewish traditions, values, and community life. Enhances understanding of cultural diversity.
eResources
- InternalFeatures of religion how important are they?
- External'Whose Worldviews?' Free-to-use, interactive classroom resource developed by RE Today. Interactive version of 2.2 questionnaire with automated function to display responses graphically on a spidergraph. Select 'Worldview Impact Spidergram'.
- InternalFeatures of religion: Spidergraph
- Internal2.7 Worldviews metaphors: mixing desk
Member Only Content
eResource
- Internal Jewish teenagers: how far does their Jewish identity shape their worldviews?Explore how young Jews describe their beliefs and identities, highlighting the influence of Judaism on their worldviews through personal insights and survey data.
External links
eResource
- InternalHow do texts shape worldview?
Member Only Content
Student pages
- Internal How do words shape and express Jewish worldviews? (IW01)Overview of how language and texts shape Jewish beliefs and values.
- InternalJewish worldviews: texts that inspireKey Jewish texts shaping worldviews.
External links
- ExternalInclusive Judaism online resource (which includes images from the book and more)
- ExternalPeter’s Projection map: Oxford Cartographers (includes background information about the Peters Projection)
- ExternalPeter’s Projection map: World Maps Online (Gall-Orthographic Projection Map)
Member Only Content
Student pages
- Internal
External links
- ExternalBeverley Jane Stewart’s website
- ExternalBeverley Jane Stewart’s synagogue paintings
- ExternalShul in the Wood (St John’s Wood, London), synagogue featured in Stewart's paintings
- ExternalPrinces Road (Liverpool), synagogue featured in Stewart's paintings
- ExternalVideo about the architecture at Princes Road Synagogue (YouTube)
- ExternalBBC GCSE Bitesize has a wealth of information, video, quizzes and questions about Judaism
- ExternalHoly Cribs: The Synagogue (TrueTube’s ‘Holy Cribs’ series includes a good programme about a London synagogue)
- ExternalA visit to a synagogue (Birmingham Faith Visits have excellent short films about holy buildings including this example of a synagogue virtual tour)
Member Only Content
Student pages
- Internal Demographics, data and teenage Jewish voices (p. 17) (IW01)Insights into Jewish teenage voices, with demographic data on Jewish identity and practices, promoting understanding in RE.
- InternalSt John’s Wood Synagogue, north LondonOverview of St John's Wood Synagogue's significance.
- InternalPrinces Road Synagogue, LiverpoolOverview of Princes Road Synagogue's significance.
External links
- ExternalBoard of Deputies of British Jews website
- ExternalEmployer's Guide to Judaism (Board of Deputies, updated 2024)
- ExternalCommission on Racial Inclusivity in the Jewish Community (Board of Deputies, 2021)
- ExternalEcoJudaism
- ExternalHidden Treasures
Member Only Content
Student pages
- Internal Influential organisations: The Board of Deputies of British Jews (pp. 20-21) (IW01)Overview of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, covering its role, advocacy, and community impact.
External links
- ExternalRabbi Meszler blog: Do Reform Jews believe in the Messiah?
- ExternalWilliam Davidson Talmud
- ExternalAvot de Rabbi Natan 31
eResources
- InternalTeachings about Messiah in Jewish tradition
- InternalWhat might teachings about the Messiah mean to Jewish people?
Member Only Content
Student pages
- Internal What might teachings about the Messiah mean to Jewish people? (pp. 22-23) (IW01)Exploration of Jewish teachings on the Messiah ís significance.
External links
- ExternalShamayim, Jewish animal advocacy organisation
- ExternalWorking definition of veganism (from The Vegan Society UK)
- ExternalJewish Veg, now the Center for Food Ethics
- External'All Jews should become vegan: Here are 6 reasons why' (The Jerusalem Post, 'Opinion' article by Richard H. Schwartz, 16.02.22)
eResources
- InternalArguments against veganism
Member Only Content
Student pages
- InternalWhat are your views on animals?Prompts for students to reflect on their views regarding animals and ethical considerations.
- InternalJewish teachings on animalsJewish teachings on animals, exploring ethical perspectives in the tradition.
- InternalWhat do these five examples from the Torah show us about Jewish attitudes towards animals?Insights from the Torah on Jewish attitudes towards animals, exploring ethical implications.
- InternalIs vegan the new kashrut for the 21st century?Exploring the question of veganism as a modern interpretation of kashrut in Judaism.
Member Only Content
Student pages
- InternalLife after death in Jewish thought – The TanakhInsights into life after death in Jewish thought, exploring teachings from the Tanakh.
- InternalLife after death in Jewish thought – Rabbinic writingsInsights into life after death in Jewish thought, focusing on Rabbinic writings and their relevance.
- InternalLife after death in Jewish thought – Medieval philosophers to todayInsights into Jewish beliefs about life after death, exploring historical and contemporary views.
