Jewish Family Life

The Hebrew alphabet provides an “abjad” writing system of symbols, has 22 letters and is written from right to left (so prayer books and Hebrew texts start at the back). Although each symbol can be easily identified and has a recognised sound, like any language of symbols, it is therefore harder to learn. Of the Jewish people in the world outside Israel, the greatest percentage of Jews who can read Hebrew are European

Remembering and recalling the Holocaust and the extermination of 6 million Jews by the Nazis purely based on religion only is given more frequently as a very essential part of being Jewish than anything else

As times have passed, the modern practice of cohabitation without marriage is acknowledged, although not in any way encouraged. In most very observant orthodox communities, couples do not cohabit at all. In very observant orthodox communities marriage is sometimes arranged and takes place, although only with the consent of both parties

As the Christmas tree is seen more as a recent tradition than a Christian religious artefact, some Jewish families (mainly in the USA) do install one. While not believing in Christmas, Jewish families enjoy (rather than celebrate) the Festive Season through their integration into their local (non-Jewish) communities and the fact they work and live with people who do celebrate Christmas. It is seen as a great time for family. However, while ultra-Orthodox Jews do not believe in anything associated with Christmas (apart from it being a time for family), there is nevertheless a percentage of about 1% in the USA (the ultra-Orthodox Jews of Europe do not) who do have Christmas trees

Jews pride themselves that through daily lessons of observing their own family and listening to family stories, both from inside and outside any physical instruction by teachers, is the way a child learns how to be a Jew. It is felt that when a parent instructs by personal example rather than mere words, their audience (children) will better take the advice to heart. It is very much as being seen to practise what is preached

Despite an overall increase in inter-religious marriages across all beliefs as people become more secular, it has actually remained constant for Jews. The overall statistics are somewhat skewed, because where a non-Jewish male marries a Jewish female, any children will be recognised as Jewish under Jewish Law, even if the non-Jewish partner adheres strongly to their original faith. The family unit in this instance will also be recognised as Jewish

Irrespective of the level of belief or adherence to Jewish Law, the family remains central to all Jews

Some Jews who say they aren’t religious still go to High Holiday services. Some Jewish people attend synagogue despite being classed as non-religious so as to maintain their cultural connection and some form of affiliation with their community

As the kitchen is the place where all the preparatory family ‘work’ for Holy Day and Sabbath meals takes place, it is usually where the family gathers before, after, and in between these meals. Many of the Jewish traditions are food based – from keeping the home Kosher (separating meat dishes from milk dishes) to sharing the clearing-up duties

It is the woman who largely determines the character and atmosphere of the entire Jewish home, possibly explaining, in a light-hearted modern context, why Jewish men have, over the centuries, had such terrible home décor taste! Judaism requires that a Jewish home must have a Jewish character, not only for holy days, but also for during the working week. It must be a Jewish home in every respect