Studying Judaism

This volume in the Studying World Religions series is an essential guide to the study of Judaism. Clearly structured to cover all the major areas of study, including historical foundations, scripture, worship, society, material culture, thought and ethics, this is the ideal study aid for those approaching Judaism for the first time. Studying Judaism offers readers the chance to engage with a religious tradition as a diverse, living phenomenon. Its approach is critical in two major respects: its use of the dimensional approach to the study of religions as an interpretive framework, and its focus on matters perceived as problematic by insider and/or outsider commentators, such as gender, demography, geo-politics, the museumization of Jewish cultures and its impact on religion and identity. This book is the perfect companion for the fledgling student of Judaism.

Then today we have the phenomenon of secular Judaism, that is of ethnic Jews who have and wish to maintain a living attachment to the Jewish community, but  ... However, conversion to Judaism involves time and effort: study, worship and practice in the context of an active Jewish community. Judaism is a religion of people ...