Welcome to JLO

Shalom and welcome to the ‘Jewish Living Online’ course, where we aim to give you an introduction to Jewish life in Britain. Most Jews are proud and active British citizens, and are also proud of our Jewish culture, religion, and history. You can explore the diversity within the Jewish community, learn about Jewish traditions, practices, and ways of life, and the Jewish connection to the land of Israel. You will also learn about the particular forms of racism and prejudice that Jews face and how you can be an ally in the fight against them.

NOTES ABOUT SPELLING

1. There are many HebrewThe language of the Jewish people and of Israel. Hebrew is also used more generally to mean the culture of the Jewish people (ie. Hebrew calendar). words in this resource. HebrewThe language of the Jewish people and of Israel. Hebrew is also used more generally to mean the culture of the Jewish people (ie. Hebrew calendar). has a sound made in the throat that we don’t have in English – like ‘ch’ in the Scottish word ‘loch’. Wherever this sound appears, we have chosen to spell it ‘ḥ’, to avoid confusion with the English sound ‘ch’ (as in ‘cheese’!) For example: ḥanukahThe rededication of the Temple festival (Festival of lights)., not Chanukah, ḥallahCommonly written as challah, is traditional sweet bread eaten on shabbat in many Jewish households. not challah!

2. Some Jewish people write the word ‘G-d’ instead of ‘God’. This is due to the Jewish concept that God’s name should not be destroyed or disrespected. In this resource we use the full spelling, in line with the belief that God’s true names are in HebrewThe language of the Jewish people and of Israel. Hebrew is also used more generally to mean the culture of the Jewish people (ie. Hebrew calendar)., so the word in English just represents the concept of God.

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