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Interview with a

If you decide to interview a rabbi, try to set up an appointment of at least 30-45 minutes in length. Ask the rabbi if it is possible for you to record the interview. Make sure that your phone or camera is working properly. Don't try to write down everything that the rabbi is saying; you won't his responses accurately, your interview will not have a natural flow and you may run out of time. You should be taking notes of certain things that he says so you can follow up on them later. If the rabbi asks that you not record the interview then you will have no choice but to right out all of his responses. Remember that your intent is to try to find out what the role of the rabbi is, what his religious views and beliefs are and what it means to be a Jew. You are not primarily interested in knowing what he thinks about what you believe in. Imagine a Muslim interviewing you and being intent on trying to find out what you think about Muhammed, Ramadan and Purda. You would find it strange that they would be asking you about religious matters that you may not have given much thought to or know very little about. A rabbi will actually know quite a lot about Christianity, however, your task is to find out as much as you can about their work, their faith () and their culture.

Possible Questions 1. Could you please tell me about your background? Where were you born and where did you grow up? 2. What factors or influences led you to deciding to become a rabbi? 3. What training and education is required to become a rabbi? 4. Is this your first congregation? What can you tell me about this congregation? 5. What does it mean to be a Jew? 6. What are the most important aspects of Judaism? What is the difference between the laws found in the and the ? 7. For us as Christians, the is very important. We believe that God speaks to us through his word and that we can know how to live by reading the Bible and carefully studying or reflecting on what it says. What is the Jewish understanding about the importance of their scriptures, the Torah? What is more important the Torah or the ? Can you explain what is contained in the Talmud? 8. What is the Jewish understanding of God? Who is God? 9. What is the Jewish understanding of the afterlife? Is there a heaven or hell? 10. What is your understanding of the idea of a Messiah? Who will that person be and when will the Messiah come? How will we know when the Messiah is here? As a Christian I believe that Jesus was the Messiah or Saviour but I know that you don't accept that he was. Can you just explain your understanding of who Jesus was and why you can't accept him as the Messiah that the Hebrew prophets anticipated? 11. Is there a concept of salvation in Judaism? Can a person be "saved", or is that just a Christian belief? 12. Were any of your family members victims of ? Would you mind sharing with me how that event has affected you and your feeling about God and the role of the Jewish people in this world? 13. What aspect of your faith, culture or history is most misunderstood and not appreciated by those who are not Jewish? 14. What is your view on the current situation in ? Is there any hope for peace? What will it take to bring about peace between the and the Palestinians? 15. If I were a Jewish young person, what would I be expected to do to develop a good identity as a Jew? Are Faith and Culture separate within Judaism or are they tied together? 16. As a Jew do you have a strong desire to live in Israel? Can you explain the intense, emotional attachment have for the ?