Writing Prompt:
Read the short chapter on Judaism by Werczberger and Guzmen-Carmeli. After a brief introduction of Jewish beliefs, scriptures, and history, the authors go on to describe in-detail three group rituals and three individual practices drawn from the Jewish tradition. What life event(s) have you personally experienced that could be commemorated using one or more of these rituals? Describe some details from your experience that will help the reader understand its impact on you. Then, describe the relevant ritual(s) in your own words and explain how it could commemorate, help, or address your experience. Remember to use scholarly citations and include a bibliography.
As you plan your reflection, do not simply summarize the chapter. Rather, draw interesting connections between what you have read in this chapter and something you have experienced in your life. This is the perfect opportunity to combine your conceptual and your narrative writing skills into a unique and creative reflection.
Here are two examples to help you start thinking:
Perhaps you recognize the ways that religious or philosophical study and debate brings you fulfillment and peace similar to what is described as resulting from Torah study?
Perhaps one of your loved-ones has died and you recognize that the Jewish Shiva ritual includes helpful or relevant elements that could address your loss.
Broaden your perspective to think of your own example(s). You may choose to write about any type of life experience(s) that you have undergone that you believe specific Jewish rituals or practices might help a person to process, understand, accept, or even celebrate! As you write, you may want to review the sections of the chapter that consider the socio-psychological significance of each ritual, because these sections provide vital clues to the way that specific rituals and practices meet the needs of Jewish people.
Writing Prompt:
Read the short chapter on Judaism by Werczberger and Guzmen-Carmeli. After a brief introduction of Jewish beliefs, scriptures, and history, the authors go on to describe in-detail three group rituals and three individual practices drawn from the Jewish tradition. What life event(s) have you personally experienced that could be commemorated using one or more of these rituals? Describe some details from your experience that will help the reader understand its impact on you. Then, describe the relevant ritual(s) in your own words and explain how it could commemorate, help, or address your experience. Remember to use scholarly citations and include a bibliography.
As you plan your reflection, do not simply summarize the chapter. Rather, draw interesting connections between what you have read in this chapter and something you have experienced in your life. This is the perfect opportunity to combine your conceptual and your narrative writing skills into a unique and creative reflection.
Here are two examples to help you start thinking:
Perhaps you recognize the ways that religious or philosophical study and debate brings you fulfillment and peace similar to what is described as resulting from Torah study?
Perhaps one of your loved-ones has died and you recognize that the Jewish Shiva ritual includes helpful or relevant elements that could address your loss.
Broaden your perspective to think of your own example(s). You may choose to write about any type of life experience(s) that you have undergone that you believe specific Jewish rituals or practices might help a person to process, understand, accept, or even celebrate! As you write, you may want to review the sections of the chapter that consider the socio-psychological significance of each ritual, because these sections provide vital clues to the way that specific rituals and practices meet the needs of Jewish people.
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