Culture and religion – information for service providers
OMI works with key religious leaders to update the information sheets on culture and religion.
Western Australia is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multicultural society. Religious freedom and mutual respect for different religions is an integral part of our shared culture and is an important underlying principle of multiculturalism and democracy.
Service providers who recognise, value and promote cultural and religious diversity can address more fully the needs of their clients. Respecting the roles of religion in various cultures is part of courteous, ethical and professional behaviour, which promotes a just and equitable society.
The information sheets (below) aim to raise awareness and understanding of religious and cultural practices in the Western Australian community to assist service providers in the government and nonprofit community sectors in improving service delivery.
Culture and religion information sheet
Contents
Introduction
Western Australia is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multicultural society. Religious freedom and mutual respect for different religions is an important underlying principle of multiculturalism and democracy.
Service providers who recognise, value and promote cultural and religious diversity can address more fully the needs of their clients. Respecting the roles of religion in various cultures is part of courteous, ethical and professional behaviour, which promotes a just and equitable society.
This information sheet aims to raise awareness and understanding of Jewish religious and cultural practices to assist service providers in the government and nonprofit community sectors in improving service delivery.
Background and origins
Judaism originated with the biblical patriarch Abraham (approximately 1800 BCE). Abraham established a covenant with God that was confirmed with the reception of the Torah (the Law including the Ten Commandments) from God through Moses to the Jewish people at Mount Sinai (approximately 3500 years ago).
Key beliefs
For those who subscribe to the orthodox belief in Judaism, the central text is the Torah: the five books of Moses – the Law, containing 613 commandments expounded on by the Talmud, the Oral or Rabbinic Law. Judaism believes that God is one, has no form, created the world, is eternal and is still actively involved in world affairs. Moses is the main prophet. The Law can never be changed. There is defined reward and punishment. There is an afterlife and when the Messiah eventually comes, there will be a resurrection of the dead.
The great majority of the Western Australian Jewish community is affiliated to orthodox Judaism which is the subject of this information sheet. A smaller number in the community is associated with the reform or progressive practice of Judaism. This varies from orthodox practice in a number of respects.
Demographics
There are more than 100,000 Jews in Australia, approximately 7000 of whom are in Western Australia. Jews in Western Australia mainly live in the metropolitan area and originally came from Europe, the United Kingdom, Israel and South Africa. The community has expanded rapidly in recent years both in population and facilities.
Greeting
The following sensitivity needs to be observed on greeting or introduction:
- Some observant orthodox Jews do not shake hands with members of the opposite sex. Some, when a hand is offered, will shake hands to avoid embarrassment to the person offering.
Names and titles
- Although Jewish people are given Hebrew names at birth, for example David ben (son of) Abraham or Sarah bat (daughter of) Abraham, most Jewish people use their given names followed by their family name or surname.
- Jewish clerics are addressed with the title Rabbi followed by their family name.
Seating
The following sensitivity needs to be observed in seating arrangements for interview purposes or hosting official functions:
- Observant orthodox Jewish men should not be seated between two women, nor should a woman be seated between two men.
- Observant Jewish men and women also prefer not to be placed in a situation where they are alone with a member of the opposite sex in a room with the door closed.
Dress and appearance
The following dress codes apply:
- Although in Australia the vast majority of Jews look and dress like other Australians, some observant men will be bearded and wear a kippah (skullcap) or hat at all times.
- Some married orthodox Jewish women also cover their hair with a sheitel (a wig), a hat or scarf.
- Jewish women observe a code of modesty. Generally, observant orthodox Jewish women do not wear trousers, and wear dresses to below the knees and blouses that cover the elbows.
Body language and behaviour
Non-verbal communication has a powerful effect on relationships and effective service provision. Non-verbal signals acceptable in one culture may be completely unacceptable or even offensive in another.
All body language and behaviour should be modest and proper among observant Jewish people.
Food, drink and fasting
Recognising appropriate foods and beverages is essential in responding to the needs of religious communities. When hosting people from different religious and cultural backgrounds, as a matter of good practice, always serve a selection of vegetarian and meat foods on separate trays. A variety of non-alcoholic drinks should also be available at any official function. The following issues relating to food, drink and fasting should also be understood:
- Orthodox Jewish dietary laws require that only proper ritually slaughtered meat may be eaten.
- Only fish that have both fins and scales are permitted.
- Any food that contains substances extracted from forbidden meats or fish, for example oil and gelatine, is prohibited.
- Observant orthodox Jews do not mix meat and milk (or any dairy product).
- Observant Jews have a number of fasts during the year associated with various festivals and historical events.
Religious festivals and days of significance
The following key religious festivals and significant cultural and religious days are celebrated:
- Observant orthodox Jews will undertake no secular activities from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday. This is the Sabbath. No travelling by any vehicle is allowed except for the saving of life.
- The same applies to the first two and last two days of the eight-day festival of Passover-Pesach (in March or April), the two days of Pentecost Shavuot (in May/June), the two days of Jewish New Year Rosh Hashana (in September/October), the Day of Atonement Yom Kippur and the first two and last two days of the eight-day festival of Tabernacles Succot (usually occurring in October).
- During Passover, observant Jews eat only specially prepared food and have even stricter dietary requirements than the rest of the year.
Language and communication
Language and communication issues include:
- Jewish people usually speak the language of the country in which they live, although the language of prayer is Hebrew.
- It is Western Australian Government policy to provide competent interpreting and translating services to clients who are unable to communicate effectively in spoken or written English.[1]
- Government agency staff can contact the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on telephone 131450.
Family and marriage
The differing family characteristics of different religious groups should be appreciated. These include:
- The family is an extremely important unit in Jewish life. Respect for parents and grandparents is stressed. Many of Judaism’s rituals reflect this emphasis.
Medical
- When matters of health are involved, particularly where there is a danger to life, most of Judaism’s rituals are set aside in the interests of the patient’s wellbeing.
Death and related issues
Death and the grieving process are significant for all religious communities. Some sensitivities include:
- For the Jewish faith, the body at death must be treated with the utmost reverence as it was the body that housed the soul in life.
- The Jewish Burial Society, known as the Chevra Kadisha (Jewish Brotherhood), carries out the holy task of preparing the body for burial.
- Out of respect for the dead, autopsies must be avoided and the body should be buried as quickly as practicable.
- Orthodox Jews do not permit cremation.
- Where possible, it is important that the Jewish dead are handled only by members of the Jewish faith.
Counselling/interviews
- It does not matter if the interviewer is not of the same gender as the interviewee. If they are of different genders, they should ensure during the interview that the door of the interview room is kept open.
Further enquiries
This information sheet has been produced by the Jewish Community Council of Western Australia with the support of the Office of Multicultural Interests.
For further information please contact:
- Rabbi DY Freilich Perth Hebrew Congregation
- Correspondence can be forwarded to:
President
Jewish Community Council of Western Australia (Inc)
80 Alma Road
Mt Lawley WA 6050
Phone: (08) 9328 6116 or 0407 516 254
Email: jccwa@bigpond.com
Updated: February 2012
(Endnotes)
