Unity, diversity and difference

The Jewish cultural heritage paints a diverse and pluralist landscape of culture deriving from the formation of the Jewish nation in biblical times through life in the Diaspora and the modern state of Israel.

Such a rich heritage carries connotations deriving from the history, language, literature, music, philosophy, sociology as well as the economics and politics of Jewish communities. It also derives from the special ties to Israel inasmuch as the Jewish people hold dear, the special relationship between the land of Israel and themselves.

Through these courses we learn that Judaism is not only a religion, but an orthopraxy – guiding in both practice and belief- not only
retaining linkage to the Jewish people’s land of origin, but encompassing the continued traditions of the study of Jewish texts, the practice of community charity, the reverance for keeping feasts and religious beliefs and practices.

Courses within this category teach us also about cultural phenomena that are characteristically Jewish without being religious and of variations of Jewish culture unique to their distinct communities.