Introduction
Orthodox Jews in Denver are similar in their nature and characteristics. They have their own sets of values and traditions unique to their historical origins. Being familiar with other cultures and subcultures helps us in becoming culturally sensitive and globalized individuals. Extensive research and exposure are required in order to gain such familiarities. One of the most popular Judaism institutions in Colorado is the Denver Academy of Torah. Jews may differ in the way they worship from other religious denominations since their beliefs differ from one community to the other.
The institution aims to teach Orthodox Jew in Denver the values of Judaism. In the light of the above essay, a discussion based on the subculture will be featured together with the Orthodox Jews in Denver, Boulder, their background information, and their religious beliefs.
Discussion
- Sub Cultures
- Judaism
Orthodox Jews or Judaism movement is not a single, unified movement campaign, but it is composed of various campaign movements adhering to similar principles. All Orthodox groups are similar in their beliefs and observances, having only minor differences in their details. Each Orthodox Jews movement also differs in their opinions on modern culture and opinions on the state of Israel (“Orthodox Judaism,” 2014.) Orthodox Jews movements all share the same feature: a dedication to Torah, both in writing and oral forms (“Orthodox Judaism,” 2014.)
Orthodox Judaism possesses the continuation of beliefs and practices of regular Judaism faith (“Orthodox Judaism,” 2014.) These beliefs and practices are acceptable by the Jewish nation at Mount Sinai, and are utilized successively that continues up to this day (“Orthodox Judaism,” 2014.) Jewish people originating from Mount Sinai, who immigrated to other world parts, continue to practice the Orthodox Judaism faith.
Orthodox Judaism adheres to the belief that both written and oral Torah are of divine origins, and is a representative of the world of G-d. This belief is similar to the belief of the conservative movement. The only difference is that the Orthodox movement believes in the whole and overall word of God. It does not adhere to any human influenced-beliefs (Jewish Virtual Library, 2014).
Orthodox Jews encourage the freedom to question what the G-d requires of its followers, and to answer those questions within the Orthodox Jew system. Orthodox Jews have preserved the Jewish theology “mystical foundations,” particularly in the Chasidic movements, in lesser degrees, in many Yeshiva movements, both Ashkenazi and Sephardi.
Orthodox Jew or Judaism is the branch of Judaism that fully adheres to the common Jewish practices and beliefs. Orthodox Judaism came into existence in response to the innovations in Jewish practice, in relation to the Reform movement. Orthodox Judaism believes that both the Torah (the first Jewish Books in the Bible), and the Oral Torah (i.e. The Interpretive Talmud) are authoritative in relation to Jewish principles.
In Denver, there are two Orthodox day schools, an Orthodox high school, a Bais Yaakov and Yeshiva, and many others as learning options, as well as availabilities of kosher food in many stores around the city (Garym, 2013). Jewish day schools are the milestone establishments of Denver’s commitment to improving Jewish education (Garym, 2013). Orthodox Jews can now avail of the education of their own choices, making Denver an ideal place for Orthodox Jew immigrants. Orthodox Jews can now likewise have the privileges, not to miss out taking the kosher foods (kosher foods are the foods, which conforms to the regulations of the kashrut as per the Jewish Dietary Law).
Denver has a long and legendary history of Jewish day school education, which goes all the way back to 1952 Since 1952; Jewish education has expanded and grown all throughout the. Authorities in Denver have worked closely with the Jewish community in order to establish a strong infrastructure of the building foundation of Jewish educational institutions. Denver is the home of the both the Eruv, and the Jewish community center (Garym, 2013). Students in Orthodox Jewish educational institutions learn the Orthodox Jew values while living in the United States.
Background on Orthodox Jews in Boulder, Colorado
Ten percent of Boulder’s population is of Jewish descent. Unlike similar-sized communities, Boulder is not plagued with communal politics (Satire, 2010). With this in mind, the population makes up the community of Boulder is famous for embracing culturally, and racial diversities. The Orthodox Jews distinct cultural characteristics are widely known, as they spread throughout the communities through the years. Orthodox Jew venues became common places for non-Orthodox Jews to visit to learn about the culture. Everyone in Boulder gets along, shares in simchas, and attends the shuls of one another. All of the rabbis in the city conduct regular meetings to talk about the latest and pressing issues. The rabbis try to find solutions to issues of utmost importance and concerns, before they get worse. Boulder is the birthplace of Renewal Judaism.
- History of Denver Academy
This Academy of Denver works on the principle of beliefs. Working with the students will enable it nurture the DAT graduate students to enable them possess strong philosophical beliefs in respect to inherent values of education. The school beliefs on the G-d 13 principles, belief in Torah aswell illustrated define revelation, belief in the authority of Rabbis for transmission of the society. In addition, the society (Denver Academy) beliefs in love for the Torah learning, understanding that all the people are created in the image of and likeness of the G-d, and they deserve respect, as well as kindness. In this society, they belief that Americans have given the freedom and spiritual benefits to the Jews, and they have the privilege as well as the responsibilities of repairing and improving the world.
After a successful graduation, a DAT graduate will be embodied with a number of values and behaviors. Develop an aspiration of becoming a Torah Jew in observations, strive to achieve personal growth, respect, and tolerance as well as embody honesty and kindness for the students. It will help them to have and identify the relevant people of Israel and the whole world. Lastly, this system will make the graduates feel responsible to others in the whole world.
The graduates will possess some specific goal sets of knowledge relating to the Torah studies in the oral tradition. They will have to develop as well as understand the Jewish Law, Hebrew language; have prayer for the book in their Jewish history, and the Israel as the whole state. The objective of the Denver Academy school is to ensure that their graduates possess good communication and the oral skills as an appreciation of literature as they develop the ability of evaluating information in a critical manner. They will have been imparted with good techniques of educational science, social studies, and literatures that will allow them develop their advanced degrees.
- Lifestyle of Denver Academy of Torah- Denver
One of the greatest schools in the Torah is Denver school with exclusive female members from the Jewish community. Management prepares the students to live their best lifestyles like creating homes for them in the secular world. The parents of the children have also in culminated usage of modernity as well as religiosity for the children. This improves their lives in the religious setups. This school has produced the best successful women since 1968, with over 800 graduates getting good careers to help their communities
One of the inherent values of this institution is the adherence to the belief in Torah as Divine Revelation. Reading the first five books of the Jewish Bible widens the knowledge and awareness of Torah students of the traditional beliefs of Hebrew. They are able to become aware of the moral principles as permitted in the Hebrew traditions. As a result, they are likely to avoid committing sins, as it will run in violation to the Hebrew rules. The Jewish Bible bears similarities with the contents in the Christian testament. In other words, both the Jewish Bible and the Christian testament require its followers to observe dignity, integrity, kindness, and understanding.
Torah significantly adheres to the belief of introspection (“Why a DAT Education,” n.d.). Introspection allows oneself to reflect if one has adhered to the required moralities of the Torah and the Jewish Bible. Introspection allows the follower to assess all of the past deeds and actions that he/she has accomplished. Introspection also allows the follower to assess on which areas in his/her faith would need improvements, to enhance loyalty.
- Community/ Subculture Functions
The institution encourages the extension of practice of Judaism within family affairs and homes. The institution enhances the strengths of family ties outside the school premises by encouraging moral principles of Torah and Hebrew within family units. As long as families and their subcultures adhere to the moral principles of the religion, they are able to hold their relations based on morally accepted principles as detailed in the Jewish Bible.
Loving one another in this sub-cultural artifact as you would love one is the basic premise principle of the Torah and Jewish Bible, as similar to the principle of Christianity. Torah believers believe that individuals should put themselves in the shoes of their fellowmen. Doing so would enable them to realize the experiences and emotions of others, thus, compelling them to treat others just as how they would want to be treated. Selfish intentions would not be visible, once individuals treat others right and in accordance to the Jewish Bible.
The management of Denver Academy of Torah is the one involved in overseeing that the mission of the school is enforced through the hiring of and in collaboration with the Head of School; the supervisors make sure that their members are in unification in strong faith in Torah and the Jewish Bible. This is such a case, as the supervisors need to be sure that the Torah teachings are appropriately in distribution to its student body.
- Importance of Worldwide Sub-Cultures
The sub-cultural differences such as the ones that practice Orthodox Judaism may prove to be a struggle for most believers, who live outside of the country where the religion originated, Israel. Believers of this religion living overseas, at times helps them to understand their discrimination from others adhering to the major religion in the countries, which they live. Some non-believers of Orthodox Judaism cannot relate to the traditions of the religion. At times, they do not understand the reason of so much importance signifying the Jewish Bible, when people can lead clean lives without thoroughly reading it.
Orthodox Jews undergo difficulties in being able to find fellow believers while living overseas. They need to advertise the formation of their clubs in various mediums and the only help is in the study of their subcultures. These mediums include, but are not limited to, newspapers, magazines, flyers, and online materials. Orthodox Jews need to make efforts to relocate to areas in foreign countries where minority cultural and religious groups mostly reside.
Conclusion
People all over the world need to unite to accept cultural and religious individualities and differences. The world will be much friendlier place to live in if people are able to live in harmony. Biases and discrimination only make the individuals alienated and strangers to each other. The Orthodox Jews have troubles in finding the most applicable mingling people who also belief in God. From the findings so far, Torah and the Jewish Bible believes in an existing God, who rules the universe. Some of the people who do not believe in God’s existence have the tendencies of mocking other religions in the globe.
According to the functions of Orthodox, the Judaism requires that the Hebrew synagogue to be attended by their followers in the honor of God. They do it by adhering to the Genesis book in the Bible as they promote their religious believes.
Appendix
Interview Questions
- What motivates members to belong to these religion and not others?
The faith on Torah and the Hebrew bible motivate members to belong to the religion. Prayers conducted on a regular basis also motivate them to enhance their faith in their God.
- What artifacts are present, how are they typically used, and what significance is attached to them (clothing, bible torah, and synagogue).
Bible, clothing, and synagogue are the artifacts present. They signify the belief in one God and morality by the Orthodox Jews.3. Where does the group gather and why (school and synagogue)?
They gather at Orthodox Jews educational institution to learn about the religion. They pray to their God at the synagogue.4. Does this group seems to define itself in opposition to other groups, and if so, why?
This group is in opposition against religions such as Muslim and Buddhism. These religions Gods are different from those of Muslim and Buddhism.5. What are the culture's most symbolic or significant rituals? Why is meaning assigned to them?
The clothing and the Hebrew bible as used in prayers are the culture’s most symbolic or significant rituals. These rituals symbolize the faith in God of the Orthodox Judaism.
6. How do they conduct their religious proceedings and what encourages them to do it?
They conduct their religious proceeding as normal on a regular basis, and they uphold the normal ways of operating without messing up. They belief in their G-d at all times
7. What are the common differences of their religion with those of other believers in the world?
They have different ways of worshiping, which is not the same as the other religions. They belief in G-d while the other religions belief in God or others in Muhammed.
8. How do they welcome visitors, who wish to transfer their membership to their churches? In what ways do they encourage the new members?
New members have no strict ways of joining. They have to register and be welcomed to the church leaders. They will be allowed to learn for themselves as they visit the church each time
9. What are the similarities between their church and other churches? If any what are they?
They both belief in something that is supernatural. They hold church proceedings similarly as they are led by someone at each step. They have specific days of worshipping and during those e times, members are encouraged to come for worshipping in large numbers.
10. Do they face any problems regarding religious worshiping from either the government or any other individuals who may be against their religious beliefs? If any, how do they handle the differences?
It is normal that every religion must face challenges from individuals worshipping other religious churches. Sometimes the government may reject such worships so that they follow their own. Problems are quite many, but with worshipping, it is not worthy to get problems when it comes to worship their believer.
References
Denver Academy of Torah. (n.d.). Leadership and Faculty. . In Denver Academy of Torah. Retrieved from http://www.datcampus.org/about/leadership-faculty.html
Denver Academy of Torah. (n.d.). Why a DAT Education. In Denver Academy of Torah. Retrieved from http://www.datcampus.org/about/why-a-dat-education.html
F. Satire. (2010, January 27). Boulder, Colorado Has My Most Ideal Jewish Community [Frum Satire]. Message posted to http://www.frumsatire.net/2010/01/27/boulder-colorado-has-my-almost-ideal-jewish-community/
Garym. (2013). Denver, Colorado. In Orthodox Union. Retrieved from http://www.ou.org/community/communities/denver-colorado/
Jewish Virtual Library. (2014). Orthodox Judaism. In The American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise. Retrieved from http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/Orthodox.html
Pantheos Library. (2014.) Orthodox Judaism. In Religion Library. Retrieved from http://www.patheos.com/Library/Orthodox-Judaism.html
