Cultural Diversity

Cultural Diversity ELDER Project Fairfield University School of Nursing Jewish and Islam Religions Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of Nursing Grant#D62HP06858

Judaism and Islam Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participants will be able to …. • Compare and contrast the belief systems of Judaism and Islam. • Discuss the role of religion, traditional health care beliefs, social values, and family structure of Judaism and Islam and the impact these factors have on health care. • Identify specific culturally sensitive practices that can be incorporated into your work with Jewish and Muslim patients. Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of Nursing Grant#D62HP06858

Judaism and Islam Introduction: • Judaism and Islam are known as Abrahamic faiths since they trace their lineage from Abraham in the Torah (the Five Books of Moses) • Both accept the idea of one creator and the importance of written scripture. • Both religions are very rich and diverse with numerous cultural inferences. • Although they do share some similarities, many differences exist in their practices and beliefs. • The backgrounds of these different groups have influenced the way they respond to illness and other life crises. Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of Nursing Grant#D62HP06858

Judaism History: • Jews were dispersed after an insurrection against Roman authority and lived all over the world until founding the State of Israel in 1948. • Much of Jewish history has been marveled by persecution by other societies, from ancient Egypt and Babylon to the expulsion of the Jewish people from Spain in the 15th century and the Holocaust of World War II. • They developed various subcultures with distinct histories, languages, religious practices, customs and cuisine. Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of Nursing Grant#D62HP06858

Judaism History: • Groups within the U.S. include: • Orthodox (believe Jewish law is unchanging and mandatory), • Conservative (believe God’s laws change and evolve over time), • Reform and Reconstructionist (laws are guidelines that the individual can choose to follow or not). • Many Jews are also secular or atheist and for them, Judaism is a culture rather than a religion. Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of Nursing Grant#D62HP06858

Judaism Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of Nursing Grant#D62HP06858

Judaism Origin of Name: Derived from the Hebrew - Yehudim or Judah. Founder: Abraham Estimated Followers: • 14 million • 12th largest religion in the world • The majority of the Jews live in the United States and Israel. Original Language: Hebrew Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of Nursing Grant#D62HP06858

Judaism Holy Book: • The Hebrew Bible - Tanakh, the Old Testament: inclusive of the Torah (Five Books of Moses). • The Talmud is an oral tradition explaining and interpreting the Tanakh. • It includes the Mishnah, a code of Jewish law Clergy: Rabbis, Cantors House of Worship: Synagogue (aka: Temple, Shul) Main Day of Worship: • Sundown Friday night to sundown Saturday night. • All holidays begin the night prior in this manner Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of Nursing Grant#D62HP06858

Judaism Rituals: • Circumcision of the newly born Jewish male, • Bar/Bat mitzvah- ceremony marking the coming of age (13) for Jewish boys (bar) and girls (bat) mitzvah, • Shabbat observance, • Prayer - held in high regard, the Jewish prayer book is called the siddur. Religious Law: • Halakhah, which covers prayer and ritual, diet, rules regulating personal status and observances of holidays. Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of Nursing Grant#D62HP06858

Islam History: • Began in Mecca and was developed from the Judeo-Christian tradition and cultural values of Nomadic Bedouin tribes of Arabia. • Islam spread to North Africa, Europe into Central Asia, as it expanded the new Islamic societies and adopted many of the customs they encountered. • There are two main denominations: • Sunni (90%) and Shi’ite (10%) • Muslims in the U.S. come from many different cultures and schools of thought. Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of Nursing Grant#D62HP06858

Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of Nursing Grant#D62HP06858

Islam Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of Nursing Grant#D62HP06858

Islam Origin of the Name: Derived from an Arabic word for submission. Founder: Mohammed Followers: • 1.57 billion • Second largest religion in the world Original Language: Arabic Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of Nursing Grant#D62HP06858

Islam Holy Book: • The Quran or Koran which was revealed to the prophet Mohammed over a period of about 20 years. • It is believed to be the final revelation given by Allah to mankind. • The Hadith is a collection of traditions/sayings of the prophet Mohammed and functions as a supplement to the Quran, giving guidance to Muslims for daily living. Clergy: Imams House of Worship: Mosque Main Day of Worship: Friday Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of Nursing Grant#D62HP06858

Islam Religious Law: Sharia – the code of conduct Rituals: • Five important rituals (the pillars of Islam ) which include: • Shahadah -profession of faith, • Salat – • Prayer 5 times a day on a prayer mat facing in the direction of Mecca. • Prayer includes movements such as bowing, prostrating and sitting. • It can be done in bed or sitting if the person is ill. • Zakat –alms giving • Sawm –fasting during the holy month of Ramadan • Hajj – • The annual pilgrimage to Mecca. • Required once in a lifetime if physically and financially able. Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of Nursing Grant#D62HP06858

Judaism and Islam Important Dates and Holidays: • Both religions follow the cycle of the moon (Lunar calendar) to determine when a holiday will occur, thus each year the holidays begin differently on the Gregorian calendar. • The Jewish calendar is adjusted each year to correspond with the seasons by adding a leap year occurs every few years. • The Islamic calendar does not adjust, thus holidays will appear at no certain time during the Gregorian calendar. Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of Nursing Grant#D62HP06858

Judaism Important Dates and Holidays: • Pesach (Passover) – • Eight day celebration in commemoration of the escape of the Jewish people from Egypt. • Ritual dinner is conducted (Seder) that avoids bread and grain products in memory of the urgent departure from Egypt. • The name originated from the 10th plague that God sent upon the Egyptians killing the first born. • Israelites marked their homes with blood of sacrificial lamb and the angel of death “passed over” them, sparing their children. Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of Nursing Grant#D62HP06858

Judaism Important Dates and Holidays: • Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) – • Occurs in September/October. • It is a celebration of the Jewish New Year and a time to reflect on the past year. • Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) – • Special day of fasting and repentance to reconcile with the creator all mistakes over the last year. • Second holiest day of the Jewish calendar. • Occurs ten days after the first day of Rosh Hashanah. • Purim- • Commemorates events in the Book of Ester in the Hebrew bible which describes how the Israelites avoided extermination. Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of Nursing Grant#D62HP06858

Judaism Important Dates and Holidays: • Hanukkah- • Eight day festival of lights that is celebrated by lighting candles each night. • It celebrates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabean Revolt; it is considered a minor holiday. • Occurs sometime in November/December. • Shabbat- • Holiest day of the Jewish calendar: day of rest and spiritual enrichment. • Represents the 7th day of creation when God rested from his work. • Observed from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of Nursing Grant#D62HP06858

Islam Important Dates and Holidays: • Ramadan- • Holiest period in the Islamic year signifying when the Qur’an was revealed to Muhammad. • Followers do not eat or drink anything from dawn until dusk. • They may consume a pre-dawn meal before fasting during the day. • Usually occurs in the 9th month of their calendar year. • Eid al-Fitr- • Festival of breaking the fast that is celebrated on the final day of Ramadan where the fast is broken and people gather in the community to celebrate with a community meal. • The head of each household pays annual alms to a charity of their choice. • May see decorations and gift giving being done. Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of Nursing Grant#D62HP06858

Islam Important Dates and Holidays: • Eid al-Adha- • The festival of the sacrifice. • It occurs during Hajj (pilgrimage) that celebrates the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son Ishmael. • Al-Hijra- • First day of Islamic New Year celebration. • Marks the end of the period of persecution in Mecca and the transition to a recognized faith community in Medina. • Milad al-Nabi- • Celebration of the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad. • Some sects do not celebrate this day. • Ashura- • Day of mourning the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Muhammad. Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of Nursing Grant#D62HP06858

Family Judaism Islam • Strong family ties. • Grandparents are respected and offer financial support to young families and become dictators of family matters. • Grandmother is in charge of household chores. • Male parent has the authority in family matters. • Emphasis is on respect for older people. • Children have special responsibilities towards their parents. • Communal obligation to care for the elderly. Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of Nursing Grant#D62HP06858

Diet and Food Judaism Islam • Practice kosher laws or Kashrut, which describe how meat needs to be prepared (slaughtered) according to Jewish law. • Can only eat meat from animals that part the hoof and are cloven-footed and chew the cud, such as cattle, sheep, and goats. • Other types of meat such as pork and rabbit are forbidden (traif) • Sea creatures with fins and scales are allowed, but shellfish and crustaceans are not. • Most non-predatory fowl like chicken and turkey is allowed. • Can only eat eggs from kosher fowl • Follow a halal diet, they will not consume the following: • pork, • alcohol, • animals that were dead prior to slaughtering, • animals that have not been slaughtered according to Islamic rites, • blood or blood products, • carnivorous animals, • birds of prey, • land animals without external ears. Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of Nursing Grant#D62HP06858

Diet and Food Judaism: Islam: • All fruits and vegetables are kosher, but must be washed thoroughly. • Cannot cook or eat dairy products with meat. • This is based on a biblical law that prohibits boiling a kid in its mother’s milk. • Use separate dishes, utensils, and pots for meat and dairy dishes. • Also wait a number of hours after eating meat before consuming any dairy products. • Practice ritual hand washing with associated blessings over various foods. • Followers will not take any medications that contain alcohol or pork by products unless they are life-saving drugs with no substitutes. • Will wash hands before and after meals. • Use of the right hand to eat and drink. • If they need to be fed, use the right hand if you have to touch the food. • Either hand is appropriate to use if using utensils. Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of Nursing Grant#D62HP06858

Modesty/Dress Judaism: Islam: • Jewish modesty (tznuit) is not just about how a man and a woman dresses, but how they behave. • Modesty implies a sense of humility and downplaying one’s attributes. • In the more traditional groups, women will cover their torso up to the neck, along with their arms and legs when in public. • Muslims also practice modesty (hejab) when in public or when they are in the presence of non-family members of the opposite sex. • Modesty is described as one of the five pillars of faith which includes restriction on dress, privacy and mentioning of anything related to bodily functions. • Modesty of dress includes: • Clothing must cover the entire body, including the neck and head. • Clothing should not be form-fitting, sheer or eye-catching. • Men keep the area between their navel and knees covered. Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of Nursing Grant#D62HP06858

Modesty/Dress Judaism: Islam: • Keeping covered is a way of separating oneself from regularity or mediocrity and increasing the individual to a higher level of respect. • It is also a way to protect their inner sense of who they are. • Orthodox women cover their hair as well – either with a scarf or a wig. • Orthodox men wear a hat or skull cap called a yarmulke/kippah • Orthodox men and women will sit separately in public. • Orthodox women do not wear pants. • Women only expose their face, hands and feet. • A veil may be worn as a symbol of modesty. • A locket containing religious writings is sometimes worn around the neck in a small leather bag. • It is kept for protection and strength and should not be removed by healthcare workers without permission. • Body exposure can prevent some from seeking health care. • Eye contact is not made between members of the opposite sex. • Touching is also not allowed between opposite genders. Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of Nursing Grant#D62HP06858

Judaism and Islam Note: • Both religions prefer the same gender healthcare practitioners in order to follow rules of modesty. Healthcare workers should ask permission to uncover parts of the body out of respect. • They should also knock on the door before entering in order to provide the patient time to cover themselves. Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of Nursing Grant#D62HP06858

Illness Judaism: Islam: • View illness as a part of a natural order that God sets in motion, but does not control. • They recognize that illness and suffering can strike anyone. • They believe in actively seeking healing through medical treatment. • Prayer is also an important means of healing. • They believe that visiting the sick is an important element of healing. • Their custom of performing a good deed (a mitzvah) is viewed as a religious obligation in which the community is supposed to comfort and care for the sick. • Do not have any specific codes for medical treatment of physical illnesses in the Qur’an. • The Islamic tradition recognizes the difference between health and illness as balance or imbalance. • Historically there has been a close relationship between religion and medicine and its practices. • Muslims use home-made herbal and medicinal tonics, dietary restrictions and amulets to ward off bad spirits. Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of Nursing Grant#D62HP06858

Illness Islam: • Male circumcision, cupping, bloodletting, cauterization and ligation can be used. • The contemporary Muslim approach to healthcare is based strongly on preventative measures such as personal hygiene, dietary restrictions and avoidance of addictive habits like smoking or overeating. • Some Muslims may perceive a sudden death or illness as a sign of punishment or test from God. • They tend to find strength in prayer and meditation. • Spiritual healing is sought by reciting from the Qur’an. Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of Nursing Grant#D62HP06858

Judaism and Islam Conclusion: • Religion, like culture, consists of patterns of beliefs, values and behaviors acquired by members of a society. • There are different interpretations of principles and meanings within all religions. • Diversity in America includes the rich heritages and cultures that are seen in our population, that make up our country and coexist to create a nation. Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of Nursing Grant#D62HP06858

Reference • Christianity in View. Retrieved March 6, 2011 from http://christianityinview.com/xncomparison.html. • Healthcare Providers’ Handbook on Muslim Patients. Retrieved January 9, 2011 fromhttp://www.health.qld.gov.au/multicultural/support_tools/islamgde2ed-s2.pdf • International Strategy and Policy Institute. (1999). Guidelines for Health Care Providers Interacting with Muslim Patients and Their Families. Retrieved February 26, 2011 from http://www.ispi-usa.org/guidelines.htm. • Taheri, N. (2008). Health Care in Islamic History and Experience. Retrieved January 9, 2011 from http://ethnomed.org/cross-cultural-health/religion/health-care-in-islamic-history-and-experience. • The Muslim World. Retrieved April 15th, 2010 from http://btw.imb.org/news_map.asp • Religion Statistics: Jews by Country. Retrieved April 15th, 2010 from http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/rel_jew-religion-jews • World Muslim Population Density. Retrieved April 15th, 2010 from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/globalconnections/mideast/maps/muslim.html Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of Nursing Grant#D62HP06858

Power Point Presentation Created by: Joyce Cunneen, MSN, RN Fairfield University School of Nursing ELDER Project Education Coordinator Monica Starr, BSN, RN Fairfield University School of Nursing ELDER Project Program Coordinator Supported by DHHS/HRSA/BHPR/Division of Nursing Grant#D62HP06858

Cultural Diversity