religious education

• What is a synagogue?

  A house of assembly, built for Jewish public prayer, study and assembly.
• What is the Shekinah?

  A place where God's presence rests and can be felt
• What is Shabbat?


  Day of spiritual renewal and rest. Beginning at sunset on Friday and closing at nightfall on Saturday.
• What is Kosher?


  Meaning 'fit' or 'proper' kosher refers to food permitted to be eaten by Leviticus Chapter 11. It is also used to refer to the purity of ritual objects such as Torah scrolls.
• What is the Torah?


  The five books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy). Regarded as the holiest books of the Tenakh
• What does 'mitzvoth' mean?

  The term has a mixture of meanings. It is often used to refer to the duties (such as the 613 in the Torah) and good deeds
• Who is the Messiah?

  The anointed one who Jews believe will bring a new era or age for humankind. This will include rebuilding the Temple and bringing in an age of universal peace
• What is a covenant?

  A promise or agreement between two parties. Covenants were made between God with Noah, Abraham and Moses
• What is the Aron Hakodesh?

  The ark where the Torah scroll is kept. If the door of the ark is open, it is a symbol that the prayer is important. The door is often opened for certain prayers during Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah.
• What is the Ner Tamid?


  A lamp that continuously keeps burning and should not be allowed to go out to represent the eternal light God brings.
• What is the bimah?


  The elevated platform in a Jewish synagogue where the person reading aloud from the Torah stands during the service
• What is a synagogue used as?

  A beit tefilah (house of prayer), a beit midrash (a house of study) and as a town hall (for religious and non-religious events)
• What is the tallith?

  A shawl traditionally worn by Jewish men during morning prayer services, festivals and on the Sabbath. Many Reform and Liberal Jewish women now choose to wear a tallith and this is becoming more acceptable in these movements. The tallith has 613 fringes known as 'tzitzits' which represent the 613 commandments or mitzvot that Jews have to follow. After death, the tallith is often wrapped around the body.
• What is the tefillin?

  Tefillin are worn mainly by Orthodox Jewish men during morning prayer. Tefillin consist of two leather boxes which contain words from the Shema. Jews will tie one of the boxes onto their arm with the leather strap it is attached to, and tie the other box to their head. This signifies that they must serve God with their thoughts and their heart.
• What is the kippah?

  The kippah, often referred to as a skull cap, is worn by Jews as a sign of Jewish identity. In Orthodox Judaism the kippah is worn by Jewish men at all times, apart from when they are sleeping or washing.

  In Liberal and Reform Judaism some women choose to wear the kippah
• What is a pushke box?

  A prayer box within the home for collecting money that will be given to charity
• What is the Modeh Ani?

  A prayer that is said in bed first thing in the morning
• What is a mezuzah?

  A parchment scroll with the Shema written on it. It is placed on the doorposts in the home
• What is the Shema?

  The declaration of faith said three times a day which reads : 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one
• What is the Siddur?

  A book containing prayers for the day in the home and synagogue
• What does the Havdallah candle (lit on Shabbat) symbolise?

  The departure of Shabbat for another week
• What is the Kiddush prayer?

  A prayer said on Shabbat over the wine.
• What is treifah?


  Forbidden food
• What does God promise Abraham in the book of Genesis?

  'A great nation
• Who receives the Ten Commandments when and where in the Bible?

  Moses on Mount Sinai in the book of Exodus
• What is Yom Kippur?

  The Day of Atonement. The holiest day of the year for Jews during which Jews ask for forgiveness
• What does the Seder Plate consist of?

  A lamb bone (which symbolises the lamb sacrificed before the Israelites left Egypt), parsley dipped in salt water (which symbolises the salty tears of the Israelites) and bitter herbs (which symbolise the bitterness of slavery)
• Omnipotent


  All-powerful, almighty and unlimited nature of God
• Omnibenevolent


  All-loving, infinitely good - a characteristic attributed to God
• Trinity


  The three persons of God: Father, son, Holy Spirt
• Incarnation


  God becoming human in the form of Jesus
• Atonement


  The belief that Jesus' death on the cross healed the rift between humans and God
• Resurrection


  The belief that Jesus rose from the dead, on Easter Sunday, conquering death
• Sacraments


  An outward sign of an invisible inward blessing by God
• Evangelism


  Preaching the gospel to others with the intention of converting others to the Christian faith
• Literal interpretation


  The bible is the direct word of God and should be taken as fact.
• Symbolic interpretation


  The bible is mythical/poetic stories, and we should focus on the message it conveys. Those who interpret the bible symbolically often accept scientific accounts.
• Liturgical worship


  structured, following a set routine and pattern. For example, the Eucharist.
• Informal worship


  more varied and doesn't follow a set structure, routine, or pattern. More spontaneous and often more modern. For example, spontaneous actions like clapping in response to feeling the presence of the Holy Spirit.
• Individual, private worship


  a believer connecting with God on their own, instead of gathering with other Christians. For example, reading a bible passage at home.