| The Jewish faith has been in existence for over | | | | faith. About 3,500 years ago the Jews regained their |
| 5,700 years. There are many traditions Jewish people | | | | temple back from the Syrians. When the Jews |
| have passed down through the generations and | | | | regained their temple, they placed a Menorah, (a nine |
| these traditions are observed every year. | | | | branched candelabrum) with only one day worth of |
| Almost all of the holiday gatherings involve meals and | | | | oil. Surprisingly, the oil lasted for eight days. That |
| prayer. Sometimes the oldest person says the | | | | miracle proved that G-d had taken his people under |
| blessings and sometimes it is the youngest, it all | | | | his protection. In memory of this our ancestors |
| depends on which holiday the family is observing. | | | | appointed these eight days, for the annual |
| Some of the foods that are commonly served are | | | | Thanksgiving and candle lighting. With my family, |
| challah and matzo ball soup. Challah is an egg based | | | | during this time we light one candle every night, say |
| braided bread, sometimes served with honey. Matzo | | | | blessings and open presents. |
| ball soup is chicken based and has large round | | | | These are a few of the rituals practiced by the |
| noodles. Many Jewish families have a grandmother or | | | | Jewish faith. Some of the other holidays are Yom |
| great grandmother who is known for making | | | | Kippur, (time to repent) and Rosh Hashanah (the |
| excellent matzo ball soup. | | | | Jewish New Year). |
| Passover is observed in early spring. It's a holiday of | | | | In the Jewish religion you also have milestones to |
| freedom. It's a celebration by the Jewish people. We | | | | reach as you get older. For example, when a child |
| celebrate being liberated from slavery by Pharaoh in | | | | turns thirteen he or she has a Bar or Bat Mitzvah |
| Egypt over 3,000 years ago. Jewish families enjoy | | | | (becoming a man or a woman). A few years after |
| having meals together and reading passages of the | | | | the Bar or Bat Mitzvah he or she decides if they |
| Exodus from the Siddur. The ritual includes blessings, | | | | want to be confirmed (reconfirming our faith). I feel |
| pouring of the wine, and questions about the | | | | every time families celebrate these traditions it |
| meaning of the event. The meal includes unleavened | | | | renews their faith. In addition, to religious classes |
| bread and bitter herbs, the bread symbolizing the | | | | twice a week during the school year many families |
| haste with which the Israelites left Egypt and the | | | | also attend services. I feel this reaffirms that one |
| herbs symbolize the bitterness of slavery. | | | | day they will pass these traditions on to their own |
| Hanukkah is the most known holiday of the Jewish | | | | family. |