The Jewish community is one that involves an extremely rich and complicated history. Judaism has existed not just as a religion, but as a celebrated way of living — to distinguish between the culture and the religion is impossible.

“It has been said that Judaism is a way of life,” said Rabbi Ben Edelstone of The Jewish Student Experience. “[It is] more than just a religion, and even the casual observer can sense that to be true. Much of what we do can only be truly appreciated as part of a larger framework.”

Much of what people know about Judaism comes from popular culture — think Adam Sandler’s Chanukah song or Ben Stiller as a rabbi — and history class. However, less seems to be emphasized on the celebration and joy within Judaism and more on the persecution of the Jewish people throughout history.

Jewish traditions and stories include a sort of mysticism around them.

One tradition is that of Shabbat: the “day of rest.” This occurs weekly, beginning Friday night at sundown and ending Saturday night at nightfall.

“Shabbat ... reminds us that G-d created the world in six days and rested on the seventh,” Edelstone said. “We celebrate it by taking a break from our weekday activities. We eat three meals ... complete with wine, challah (bread) and several courses. Guests at our table have remarked that it is like Thanksgiving every Friday night.”

During this time, depending on the denomination, people generally take time away from their daily lives to be with friends and family and enjoy good food, pray and study.

“We don’t ‘work.’ Work here is defined by creative activity. We remove our creative hand in running the world in order to see things continue without [us] and [see that] it’s okay,” Edelstone said. “I don’t have to control the world all the time. During the week we are doing, on Shabbat we are being ... We are able to refresh and face the coming week with new energy. Every human being needs a bit of that!”

On Saturday morning, many attend their local synagogues to listen, pray, honor the Shabbat and feel connected to the community.

“On Shabbat, you will typically hear ‘Shabbat Shalom’ (Sabbath of peace) or Gut Shabbos (Good Sabbath, in Yiddish),” said Ron DeChene, a convert to Judaism who is involved at Congregation Beth Shalom. “During the holiday you can hear ‘Chag Sameach’ (Holiday of Joy) or ‘Good Yontiff’ (Good Holiday, again in Yiddish). On other days you may hear ‘Shalom Aleichem’ (Peace to you) or just ‘Shalom.’”

Congregation Beth Shalom, located five minutes from the UW, emits a welcoming atmosphere for people of all backgrounds to come worship, pray and learn. Shabbat involves reading from several Jewish religious texts, including the Talmud and the Torah.

Members usually sing the texts together in Hebrew. Luckily for those who cannot read or understand Hebrew, there is an English translation, allowing newcomers to follow along.

An important part of Shabbat also includes wearing certain articles of clothing, including the kipah, a small skullcap, and the tallit, the prayer shawl, said Muriel Dance, a director at the Center for Continuing Education at Antioch University, who is also involved at the Congregation Beth Shalom.

“In an egalitarian synagogue, there is no difference between what a man and woman wears,” DeChene said. “A man is required to wear a head covering while in the synagogue, based on tradition. He is also required at times to have a garment that has a set of ritual fringes called tzitzit. The larger community can see that they are on ‘prayer shawls’ and believe those to be important, but it is the fringes that matter. Anyone, man or woman, who has synagogue responsibility or honor must wear those items.”

Being part of the Jewish community involves discipline and critical thinking, which starts at a young age. This is evidenced through Bar Mitzvah for boys and Bat Mitzvah for girls, which usually happens around age 12 or 13. It’s often seen as a coming-of-age ceremony.

Ani Rebecca Schroeter began studying for her Bat Mitzvah last February.

“Every Tuesday, after I went to Hebrew school, I would go to my tutor’s house and we would work on learning new prayers and practicing the ones I already know,” said Schroeter, a 13-year-old attending Seattle Girls School. “In reformed synagogues, you don’t start studying until sixth months before.”

This process challenges the adolescents to open their mind and relate the texts to current day events.

“I think one of the most challenging parts was writing my davar torah,” Schroeter said. “It takes a lot of work and research to find a question and what different rabbis have to say about it.”

Schroeter discussed the plagues of Egypt, and asked why G-d continually punished Pharaoh and not entice him with rewards to let the Jewish people go.

She compares this to present day terrorism and kidnapping situations. If by giving in to terrorists and rewarding them, will this escalate future situations?

“I had to read my Torah portion in English about five times to really come up with a thorough question,” Schroeter said. “I decided on that one though because I could relate to it.”

Besides reading from the Torah, Schroeter also had to practice carrying the Torah.

“It is difficult to hold a 5- to 10-pound Torah in one arm while carrying a sheet of paper that says what you have to sing,” Schroeter said. “Meanwhile, you’re walking around the synagogue with people saying ‘Mozel Tov’ and patting you on the back ... very tricky.”

While the ceremony isn’t required, the hard work teaches responsibility and gives a sense of community.

“It’s definitely a huge achievement,” Schroeter said. “I for sure feel like I’m a Jewish woman.”

[Reach reporter Doris Wu at features@thedaily.washington.edu.]