07 - Jews, in Israel & the Middle East

Get to know the Jewish people in 4 parts - learn, see, act, pray!

1 - Learn

The Jews are an ancient people from the Middle East, with their roots in what is now modern Israel. They trace their ancestry to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who are well-known figures in the Old Testament of the Bible. The Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament, is their holy text and seen as God’s instruction to them.

A long time ago, during the “Golden Age” of Israel, Kings Solomon and David led the Jewish people. But after that, the Babylonians invaded, and many Jews were forced to leave their land. Over the years, other groups like the Persians and the Greeks also influenced Jewish history.

Today, Jewish people live all over the world. Around 7 million live in Israel, making up most of the population there, and about 8 million live in other countries. Since Israel was founded in 1948, many Jews have moved there—more than 2 million in the first 50 years!

The people of Israel are very young - over 25% are under 15 years old. They also live long lives, with women living about 85 years and men living around 81 years on average, some of the highest in the world.

Jews in Israel speak many languages. Hebrew and Aramaic are often used for prayers, but people also speak languages like Yiddish, Russian, Ladino, and others, depending on where they or their families came from.

Since 1948, Israel has experienced many wars and conflicts. Some of the most recent ones include the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, which started in 2023. These events continue to affect the region.

2 - See

3 - Act
Create a donation shoebox to participate in Tzedakah

Craft

Go To Activity

4 - Pray
  • With over 25% of Israel’s population being under 15 years old, pray that this younger generation would grow up with wisdom, strong values, and opportunities to contribute positively to their communities and beyond.
  • Lift up the ongoing conflicts, asking for an end to violence, the restoration of peace, and healing for all.
  • Ask God to guide the leaders and neighbouring nations, giving them wisdom to pursue decisions that foster reconciliation, peace, and justice.

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