ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Jewish studies

Jewish studies is like going to school to learn about all things related to Jewish people and their religion. Just like how you go to school to learn how to read and write, Jewish studies helps people learn about the history, culture, language, and beliefs of Jewish people.

So, let's start with history! When you learn about Jewish history in Jewish studies, you get to know about the people who lived a long time ago and how they lived. You learn how they used to dress, what they used to eat, and how they used to celebrate their important holidays. You also learn about the struggles and challenges that Jewish people faced in different times and places.

But Jewish studies isn't just about history. You also learn about culture, which is like learning about the things that make Jewish people special and unique. This might include things like music, art, dance, and literature. You might learn about famous Jewish writers like Sholem Aleichem or Isaac Bashevis Singer, or about famous Jewish musicians like Leonard Cohen or Bob Dylan. You might even get a chance to taste some Jewish foods like bagels, matzo ball soup, or challah bread.

Jewish studies also includes learning about religion, which is like learning about a set of beliefs that people follow. Judaism is the religion followed by Jewish people, and when you study Jewish religion, you learn about things like the Torah (which is like a holy book), synagogue (which is like a place of worship), and prayer (which is like talking to God). You might also learn about how Jewish people celebrate holidays like Hanukkah or Passover, and what special foods or rituals are associated with those holidays.

Finally, when you're learning about Jewish studies, you also get to learn some Hebrew, which is the language spoken by Jewish people. Hebrew is a really old language that dates back many thousands of years, and it's still an important language for Jewish people today. You might learn how to write some Hebrew letters, or how to say some basic Hebrew words or phrases.

Overall, Jewish studies is a really fascinating subject that teaches you about the history, culture, language, and religion of Jewish people. It's a great way to learn about a group of people who have had a really important impact on the world we live in today!