This course starts with the question 'Who are Jews?', exploring diversity in Judaism. It enters into Jewish texts (Tanakh, Torah, Mishnah) and Jewish ways of reading and interpretation (Midrash, oral Torah). Students will study major Jewish holidays (the calendar, shabbat, high holidays, pilgrim festivals, secondary festivals -chanukah, purim, yom ha?atsmauth, yom yersushalaim, days of mourning, fasting days), as well as the topic of Jewish life-cycle (birth, adulthood, marriage, divorce, illness, dying). Furthermore, the course enters into Jewish daily life and ritual practice (rising, praying, eating, sexuality, the house). It puts Jewish beliefs, in perspective, and discusses the theme of Jewish History.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) awards credits based on the ECTS system. Contact hours listed under a course description may vary due to the combination of lecture-based and independent work required for each course therefore, CEA's recommended credits are based on the ECTS credits assigned by VU Amsterdam. 1 ECTS equals 28 contact hours assigned by VU Amsterdam.