Dr Jana DeBenedetti blows the Jewish shofar at cmhs

Dr Jana blows the shofar at cmhs
Originally uploaded by trudeau.

Jewish studies were terrifically enhanced when Dr Jana DeBenedetti spoke to classes at Cmhs. "Dr J," a Magnet parent as well Hebrew scholar, as spoke to hours 2, 3 and 4. The theme that emerged from her explanations was the commonality of Judaism, islam and Christianity. She showed the classes Judaica: a shofar (ram's horn trumpet), 2 menorahs, talit (prayer shawl), yarmulke and other items.

In my notes:

Dr Jana DeBenedetti, 10-11

- Jewish symbol: 7 branched menorah / 8 plus 1 is the Hannuka menorah.
- Torah: 5 books mnemonic: “General Electric lights never dim.”

- Jewish congregations
Orthodox - strict observance of the ancient laws. Ex: Hassidim.
Conservative - moderate strictness.
Reform (liberal; most American Jews are Reform and do not follow kosher or attend the synagogue regularly).
Non-religious

Similarities between Arabic and Hebrew (ancient communication written w hammer & chisel, right to left)
- right to left
- no vowels
- similar sounds (shalom, salaam).
Sims between Islam and Judaism -
- dietary guidelines
- prayer

*bar (“son of”) mitzvah (“commandment”) or bat (“daughter”) mitzvah
- yarmulke, aka kippa

Kosher review -
- the word Unclean does not mean “dirty,” but means “taboo.”
- acceptable animals: chew their cud and have cloven hooves.
- slaughter must be by knife, followed by draining of blood and packing in salt (kosher salt - large flakes).
- not OK: pork, horse, cat, dog.
- no predator fowl.
- fish must have fins, scales (no catfish).
- no shellfish (oysters, clams, mussels)
- no crustaceans (crawfish, lobster, shrimp)
- separate dairy and meat in kitchen prep and in meals.

BC has another name: BCE - Before Common Era
AD also has another name: CE - Common Era, aka Anno Domini (year of our Lord)
3 different calendars: Jewish, Christian, Muslim.

Klezmer music - jazzy Jewish pop.