Jew U degrees Ba Ma PHD

Welcome to Jew U - the Online Honorary Degree Program for Excellence in Jewish Educational Video Watching.

We offer three degrees-
Honorary BA BrachA degree
Honorary MA MAven degree
Honorary PHD Plenty Hochmah (wisdom) and Daah (knowledgeable)

Major Areas of Concentration include 1. Jewish Values 2. Understanding the Jewish people 3. Jews and others 4. Sabbath and Holiday 5. Synagogue, Prayer ,Ritual items 6. Lifecycle and Kashrut 7. Sacred texts and ideas 8. Weekly Torah readings 9. Israel 10. Societal Issues 11. Humor and Daily sermonettes

All students are required to take the common courses of:
Memorization videos (2) for Introduction to Judaism
Take the 100 Question exam and watch the 10 videos which answer them.

Requirements for BrachA BA degree besides the above common requirements:
1. Pick an area of concentration and watch all videos in that category.
2. Watch at least one other video from each are of the other areas.
3. Watch a minimum of 36 JewU videos

MA RquirementsSame as above but a total of 54 of JewU videos.

PHD
Same as above but a total of 76 of JewU videos.

Diplomas will be awarded.
Tuition: a committment of giving tzeddakah and/ or gmilut hasadim (good deeds) above your current levels must be made.

All videos in the curriculum can be seen at www.jonathanginsburg.net or go to youtube and search JewU.

"100 Questions" test
Every Jew Should requirement for JewU degrees
I The Bible
1. What is your Hebrew name and the Hebrew names of your father and mother? What do these names mean?
2. What is a Sidrah?
3. What is a Haftorah?
4. What are the three main divisions of the Hebrew Bible? What is the Hebrew name for the Bible? Why do Jews prefer not to use the term "Old Testament"?
5. Name the five Books of Moses. Describe what took place at Mt. Sinai. (Exodus Ch. )
6. Why was King David's reign considered such an important episode in Jewish history?
7. Who were the early kings of Israel and why was the country later partitioned into Israel and Judah?
8. Define a prophet. Name three important prophets.
9. What is the Talmud? Why was it called the Oral Tradi t i on?
I I The Synagogue
10. What are the three terms for a Synagogue in Hebrew and how does the modern synagogue live up to them?
11. Describe the Tailit and Tefillin and explain why and when they are worn.
12. How is a Torah written? How is it treated and why do we accord it so much respect?
13. What is an Aiiyah? On what special occasions other than Bar Mitzvah does one usually receive an Aiiyah?
I I I The Prayer Book
14. Define the terms S iddur and Mahzor.
15. What is the importance of the Shema and what do its three paragraphs say?
16. What is Shahar i t, Mi nha, Maar i v? What prayer is an indispensable pray


III The Prayer Book (continued)
17. What is the Hallel service and when is it recited? When is the Musaf recited?
IS. What is the meaning of the A1e n u prayer? Is it always recited only at the end of a service?
IV The Home
19. What is so special about being Jewish? What are your responsibilities along these lines?
20. What is a Mezuzzah? On which side of the door should it be placed? What does it signify?
21. What ritual objects are basic to making a home "Jewish"?
22. What does "Kosher" mean?
23. What does Ha 1achah mean? What role does it play among Jews today in the Orthodox, Conservative, Reconstruc-tionist and Reform movements?
24. What is the blessing that a Jewish woman recites over Sabbath candles and when are they kindled? What prayers does a father recite to his children and wife on Friday night?
25. What is Kiddush? On what occasions is wine used in Jewi sh ritual?
26. Recite the Hamotzi (Grace before meals). What isBirchat Hamazon? .........,....__„.._..
V Sabbath and Holidays
27. Why does the Jewish calendar change every year? What is the Hebrew word for calendar?
28. Name some Hebrew months of the year and the major holidays that occur during these months.
29. Why is the Sabbath (Shabbat) considered a cornerstone of Jewish tradition? How is it observed traditionally? Why does it have meaning for our society?
30. What is the Havdalah ceremony? What objects are used?
Sabbath & Holidays (continued)
31. In what ways is Yom Tov (the Festivals and High
Holidays) like Shabbat? In what ways does the >0 observance differ? Why do traditional American Jews observe the first two and last two days of Yom Tov unlike in Israel?
VI Sukkot - Simhat Torah
32. Why do we celebrate Sukkot and what is the significance of the Sukkah?
33. What are the four species used on Sukkot and what do they represent?
34. Why is Ecclesiastes (kohelet) read on Sukkot?
35. What is the Yizkor service and how often is Yizkor recited during the year?
36. Explain Simhat Torah and what Hakafot are. V I I Passover
37. What is the meaning of Pesach?
38. What is Hametz (unleavened foods) and what are the requirements for making a home ready for Passover?
39. Name some of the rituals of the Seder. What is the Haggadah?
40. Why is the Biblical book "The Song of Songs" read during Passover?
41. Why should the Holocaust be remembered? Do you think the Nazis should be forgiven?
42. What does "Counting the Omer" mean and what is Lag B'Omer?
VIII Shevuot
43. What does Shevuot mean and what is its significance?
44. Name the Ten Commandments and explain why they are still important to follow.
"100 Questions" - Page 4
»
v VIII S h e v u o t (continued)
45. Why is the "Book of Ruth" read on Shevuot? What is the attitude of the Book to the proselyte (i.e., a non-Jew who accepts Judaism).
IX Minor Festivals
46. What is Tisha B'av? What is its significance for us today?
47. What is the historical background of Hanukah?
48. In what order are the candles kindled on Hanukah?
49. What is the Megi11 ah or Scroll of Esther?
50. What is the story of Purim and how does it reflect Anti- semitism?
X High Holvdays
51. What is the meaning of Rosh Hashanah and what does the Ho 1y Day stress?
52. When is the Shofar blown and what does it symbolize?
53. What are some of the special prayers recited in the Mahzor on Rosh Hashanah?
54. Explain how Jews "confess" their sins, and how do Jews "repent"?
55. Why is the Sabbath between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur called Shabbat Shuva?
56. What is the importance of Yom Kippur and why do we fast?
57. What is the Kol Nidre prayer? What does it have to do with the theme of Yom Kippur?
58. What are some of the special prayers recited in the
Mahzor on Yom Kippur? Why is the Book of Jonah read
Yom Kippur afternoon? What is the Neilah Service?
XI The Lifetime of the Jew
59. Why is the ceremony of'Brit Milah" (circumcision) so significant for a Jewish boy?
60. When is a Jewish girl named?
"100 Questions" - Page 5 XI The Lifetime of the Jew (continued)
61 . What do we mean by performing a Mi tzvah? What do the terms Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah signify?
62. Why is it essential to continue Jewish education through our lifet ime?
63. Why do we insist that the meal following a Bar/Bat Mit'zvah or a wedding be part of the religious eelebrat i on?
64. Define the following terms relating to a Jewish Wedding: Huppah; Ketubah; Sheva Brachot.
65. Why do Jews break a glass at the end of a Jewish wedding ceremony?
66. Why do we stress s imp 1 i c i t y and economy in celebrating ahappy or a sad milestone in Jewish life? Give examp1es.
67. Do Jews believe in divorce? What is the meaning of Get?
68. What are some traditions regarding a Jewish funeral and a House of Shiva?
69. What is the most appropriate way to show sympathy for the bereaved?
70. Why do we recite the Mourner's Kaddish and when is it recited? Are there other types of "Kaddish"?
71. What do Jews believe about Heaven and Hell?
72. What is a Yahrzeit?
73. What is an unveiling? XI I Jewish Beliefs
7k. What do we mean about Jews being the "chosen people"?
75. Define Mess i ah and explain how Jews differ in their definition from Chr i s t iani t}'' s definition.
76. What is the Jewish view concerning Jesus?
"100 Questions" - Page 6
XII Jewish Beliefs (continued)
77. Should a Jewish home have a Christmas tree?
78. How does Judaism feel about Jews marrying non-Jews? Why is inter-dating risky?
79. Why is it important for a Jew to belong to a Synagogue? What does being "a good Jew" mean?
80. What does Tzedakah mean? Why is it important for a Jew to support all worthy causes?
81. What are the functions of a Rabbi and Hazzan? What does their training involve?
82. What is Orthodox Judaism and what is an Orthodox Jew's way of life? Identify the "Yesh1va. "
83. Explain Reform Judaism. How does Reform differ funda­mentally from Orthodoxy? Identify Hebrew Union College.
84. Describe Conservtive Judaism and what it stands for.
How should a Conservative observe the Mitzvot? Identify-the Jewish Theological Seminary. Describe Reconstruc-tionism and its Reconstructionist Rabbinical College.
XIII Jewish History
85. Who was Ezra and what was his importance in connection with the Torah?
86. Identify Hillel and the Pharisees. What are some of Hillel's famous sayings?
87. Who was Rabbi Akiba and what was his connection with the Talmud?
88. What is the meaning of Midrash?
89. Define the term Halachah.
90. Define diaspora, and draw a map showing chronologically the rise of large Jewish communities outside of Israel.
91. Who was Moses Maimonides? What did he write and why is he regarded as the foremost Jewish philosopher?
92. What is the importance of the guidebook "Shulchan Aruch"? Can a Jew live by it today?
"100 Questions" - Page 7 XIII Jew!sh History (continued)
93. What is a Hasid? What did the Hasidic Movement of the 19th Century contribute to modern Judaism? What is the Lubavitcher Movement?
94. What is the world Jewish population today? American Jewish population? Why are we so concerned about a declining Jewish population?
XIV Israel
95. What does Zionism mean and when did the movement begin?
96. What roles did Theodore Hertzl and Chaim Weizmann play in shaping the movement?
97. What is the Balfour Declaration and what did it mean to the Jews?
98. Who were great personalities in the State of Israel since establishment in 1948?
99. What kind of government does Israel have and what is its relationship with Jews in the Diaspora?
100. Explain the following:
UN Resolution 242
PLO
West Bank
Palestinian Autonomy
Peace Movement
PIuralism