6a+-+Which+Judaism+is+for+me?+Eliezer,+Justin,+Scott

=
**Which Judaism is right for me?**  ====== **A WebQuest by Eliezer, Justin, and Scott** **Designed for grades 9-12** **Team 3** 

=
Shalom Y’all! My name is Sam and I am interested in converting to Judaism. I have grown up without a religion that I found relevant to my life. Judaism has a great deal to say about my life and how I should act and interact with other people as well as how I should interact with God. The ways in which Judaism is so accepting and understanding truly makes me feel comfortable in the Jewish community. After doing a good deal of research on the topic of conversion I have made the decision to convert to Judaism. I am excited to take part in this and I hope you would be excited to welcome me to Judaism! Now that I know I want to convert, I need to choose a denomination to go through the conversion process. I know that there are different denominations but I don’t yet know which one works best for me. This I where I would like you to help me. ======

=
 Along with your group you will help Sam find information on the four major denominations of Judaism. He would like information on Reconstructionist, Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox Judaism. You will be on a quest using the websites provided to find information on these four denominations of Judaism. To make his decision he will need the information you collect. Make sure you keep what you find organized as to help Sam in his decision making.  ======

=
1. First you'll need to find a group. Talk with students in the class and see which question you would like to explore. We would like the groups to be about equal size. If you need help let us know, but, part of the fun is negotiating the groups. 2. Each group will research one particular difference surrounding the denominations. We need to help Sam find the place that is right for him. I). How would you go about doing that? ======
 * 1) Think about what makes denominations different.
 * 2) Research their origins and histories.
 * 3) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: lower-alpha; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What are their strengths and weaknesses?
 * 4) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: lower-alpha; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Is there is a denomination that fits you best? Why?
 * 5) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: lower-alpha; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Finally, think about what being part of denomination means.


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3. Each group will research a particular aspect of the denominations; So far we have prayer, Kashrut, Shabbat, the place of women, and Jewish Education. If you come up with a different topic that you would like to research just let your teacher know and it might be ok’ed.


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4. You will need to keep a definition of terms that Sam will need to be familiar with. Remember, Sam was not raised Jewish. So, some of the terms that you take for granted, he may not know. Assume that he knows nothing.


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">5. Your team will have choices as how to best advice Sam.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> a. You could make a powerpoint presentation to present your case
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> b. or, a video demonstrating first hand the differences
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> c. or, an interview of Sam to find the best fit for him.


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Here are the sources that will help you on your way:

=

 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Reconstructionist **[[image:https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/cgVWzKvkU5yOcJKK-oA7Jh7Hau0-hbLRVyWZC5NEVUSDr930YM3Kn5pB4LqZbOXdGUuk_Wav295n8jFjXBHi2lbrFwgGiCPV80co-yna3cqshEYuH79L3CaST9Jypylu]]=====


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;">[|__http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reconstructionist_Judaism__]
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;">[|__http://jrf.org/__]
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;">[|__http://www.rrc.edu/__]



=

 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Reform **[[image:https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/iQvYw9POfVzHMMrA568cWdu7_KvCWDd86NZJBEhCILfGD_QGeLT3-mYUgAebPG5ybKk1V9CZN3EDzMeXEHuvyoMVYAQKxcUhEmePkQO8hB5DTqSnr9g26F28cnGr0NUg width="196" height="77"]]=====


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;">[|__http://urj.org//index.cfm?__]
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;">[|__http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reform_Judaism__]
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;">[|__http://reformjudaismmag.org/__]
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;">[|__http://www.reformjudaism.org/__]
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;">[|__http://blogs.rj.org/reform/__]
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;">[|__http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/The_Origins_of_Reform_Judaism.html__]

=

 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Conservative **[[image:https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/L-aGwn_i2w-XBmrdCVRwNcLW8xUgWOt2B9MzLLZNP-WMr9gmkVGxqUuQE0t0H2xsB5YYcFJ1bAt-nRDlXiZqlRxVhfakZ9enUoDKW2RGWkOFEZFvb2Iik-pQtmFAgxwl]]=====


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;">[|__http://www.uscj.org/index1.html__]
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;">[|__http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/conservatives.html__]
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;">[|__http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservative_Judaism__]
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;">[|__http://www.conservativejudaism.org/__]
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;">[|__http://www.shamash.org/lists/scj-faq/HTML/faq/02-03.html__]

=

 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Orthodox **[[image:https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/fRZWUj5jVIwrTXmzCq9X8gqM8iRPZZZeaiGmR6nNxlB4vT1Sc6wQE2r-NWuPh1emfUoGpefvy9CRNslPr2g_KtQCa31rTwDQaw-9pPqYKUJGGf2mXLYMOOH_TkaT7QzK]]=====


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;">[|__http://www.ou.org/__]
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;">[|__http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/Orthodox.html__]
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;">[|__http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthodox_Judaism__]
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;">[|__http://www.myjewishlearning.com/history/Jewish_World_Today/Denominations/Orthodox.shtml__]
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;">[|__http://www.chabad.org/__]
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;">[|__http://www.aish.com/__]

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">**Conclusion** <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">By the end of this exercise, the convert to Judaism will have explored the major belief systems and approaches of the four major Jewish denominations. Of course, even within those denominations, there is a sub-spectrum of approaches. However, converts traditionally align themselves with one of the movements. The convert will understand the approaches and applicability of halacha as well as to Torah as a whole. Lifestyle change expectations will have been addressed in relation to the four movements, as well. The convert will use this experience to gain a much clearer understanding of what movement seems most fitting/appropriate for them as they begin to align themselves with the Jewish people, and ultimately decide which denomination they wish to have oversee their conversions. This is no light decision, as not all Jewish conversions are accepted universally. In this light, the convert will also have a better understanding as to whether or not having a universally-accepted conversion is of importance to them.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">**Evaluation** <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Students will be evaluated on their understandings of the four major denominations’ basic beliefs and approaches, as well as having decided which is most appropriate for themselves in terms of a life-long commitment.


 * || <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Basic 1 || <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Clarity 2 || <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Understanding 3 || <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Commitment 4 || <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Score ||
 * || <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">You have explored the four major denominations. || <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">You understand the major points on which the denominations differ. || <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">You can discern which denomination fits your wants, needs, and spiritual and religious goals. || <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">You are can make a conscious decision as to which denomination to convert through. ||  ||