Location:  Los Angeles, CA ... Wilshire Blvd Temple, Museum of Tolerance

Description:

Los Angeles has a vibrant and influential Jewish population, and this experience provides the students with an up close view of this culture.  The students spend a weekend looking at various aspects of the Jewish culture.  Guided by Dr. Swanson, the Biblical and Theological Studies professor, the students examine the religion, history, and food of the Jewish people.  The weekend begins with a Friday night service at a Jewish temple.  This is a Shabbat service that the Jewish people use to welcome in the Sabbath.  Students are prepared for this service in their Old Testament class by Dr. Swanson, and they spend time reflecting on the significant similarities and differences between Judaism and Christianity.  On Monday morning, the students tour the beautiful Wilshire Blvd Temple, one of the most famous Jewish religious sites in Los Angeles.  They also eat at an authentic Jewish deli, sampling distinctly Jewish dishes.  The afternoon is spent visiting the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles.  The week is also enhanced by having one of the founders of Jews for Jesus as a guest speaker in chapel.

The students are challenged to study and reflect upon the Jewish culture.  The old testament history of the Jewish people is the same as the Christian history, but the differences in these two religions are profound.  In order to  witness to them, we need to know what they believe and be comfortable  communicating with them.  This is what is accomplished during this Jewish Awareness 4-W Experience.

Read more about this 4-W Experience here

Pictures from this 4-W Experience: