Passover  09.04.09
Rosh Hashanah  19-20.09.09
Yom Kippur  28.09.09
Hanukkah begins  12.12.09

Judaism has about 12 million followers throughout the world, including some 185,000 practising Jews in the UK. During the Holocaust of the 1930s and 1940s, over 6 million Jews were murdered.

Judaism is based on the belief that there is only one God. The most holy Jewish book is the Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) which was revealed by God to Moses on Mount Sinai over 3,000 years ago. The Torah, together with the Talmud (commentary on the Torah), give the Jewish people ethical rules for everyday life. Observing these rules is central to the Jewish religion.

The family and community are very important within Jewish life. The most important day of the week is Shabbat (the Sabbath), which is a day made holy by refraining from weekday work. At the beginning of Shabbat the family share a meal. Shabbat starts on Friday evening and ends at sunset on Saturday. During Shabbat, services are held at the synagogue, often led by a Rabbi (literally 'teacher'). The Rabbis of the Talmudic period deduced from the Torah the kinds of work Jewish people are not allowed to do during Shabbat. They include writing and carrying. Orthodox Jews follow this way of life.

There are many religious festivals throughout the year. Some of the important ones are Pesach (Passover), Rosh Hashanah (the New Year),
Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) and Hanukkah (the Festival of Lights). The emblem of the Jewish people is the Magen David (Shield of David), also known as the Star of David.

How do you become a Jew?
Some Jews believe that you are Jewish if your mother is Jewish or you convert according to the Orthodox tradition. Others believe that you are Jewish if either your mother or father is Jewish, or you convert according to the Progressive tradition.

Why are the Jewish prayers in Hebrew?
Hebrew is the Biblical term for Israelite, and is the word used for the language of the Bible and of modern Israel.

Do Jewish people watch TV on Shabbat (the Sabbath)?
Some Jews do and some don't. Orthodox Jews set the seventh day aside for spiritual and physical rest based on the Biblical injunction: 'Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy'. Shabbat is a weekly reminder that God created the world and that it must be cared for in his spirit. Thus the usual everyday activities are replaced by a 25 hour period of prayer, study, festive meals and song.

What rites of passage are marked in Judaism?

• Brit Milah (the Jewish words for 'Covenant of Circumcision') is celebrated when a baby boy is eight days old, although this can be postponed for medical reasons. This is when the baby is named. Girls are blessed and named the first time the parents attend the synagogue after the birth. Children are often given a name in the memory of a deceased loved one. For more information on this look at BBC Religion - Birth rites.
• Bar Mitzvah (Son of the Commandment) is celebrated when a boy reaches the age of 13 and Bat Mitzvah (Daughter of the Commandment) and is celebrated when a girl reaches the age of 12. Both girls and boys are then obliged to keep the Commandments.