NCM 120 group 9: AMERICAN JEWISH AND RUSSIAN JEWS CULTURE CARE

Jewish people are connected

by a common

history, ethical teachings, language of

prayer, and a strong sense of destiny.

In the United States, Jews came mainly from

Spain, Portugal,

Germany, and Eastern Europe,

resulting in a rich mix of

subcultures and religious groups such as

Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and Reconstructionist.

Jewish immigration to the U.S. occurred in three main waves:

Sephardic Jews from Spain and Portugal (1600s)

German Jews seeking freedom (1800s)

Eastern European Jews escaping persecution (late 1800s)

These groups shaped modern Jewish-American culture and formed four main religious branches:

Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and Reconstructionist.

Today, many Jewish Americans identify more with their___________ than strict

religion.

ethnic and cultural roots

Despite being only 3% of the U.S. population, Jews have greatly contributed to ________________, while still facing challenges of assimilation and

discrimination.

education, science, arts, law, and politics

Despite being only 3% of the U.S. population, Jews have greatly contributed to education, science, arts, law, and politics, while still facing challenges of

assimilation and discrimination.

____________ is the main language spoken by Jewish Americans.

English

Frequent use of ___________ to emphasize ideas.

hand gestures

_____________ can change meaning.

Tone and word stress

________plays a major role in Jewish life — often self-deprecating.

Humor

Humor used as a __________ during hardship.

coping mechanism

_____________ (e.g., "JAP") should be avoided.

Stereotypical or offensive jokes

__________________ communicate more like the general U.S. population.

Younger generations

Attitudes toward ______ vary by religious observance.

touch

________ prohibit touch between men and women who are not related or married.

Orthodox Jews

Includes handshakes or

casual contact.

Ask permission before any

physical touch.

Preserving life takes _____________— medical touch is allowed if necessary.

precedence

Older Jewish clients may appear __________, but this reflects

their cultural way of expressing feelings, not exaggeration.

overly verbal or complaining

Pain assessment may be challenging due to __________; nurses should

use patience and careful questioning.

emotional expression

___________ clients are often more acculturated and may express discomfort

less emotionally.

Younger Jewish

____________ is most effective through a question-and-answer approach and open discussion, as Jewish clients value analytical communication.

Teaching

_________- shaped by religious laws and modesty traditions.

Personal space

Orthodox Jews avoid physical contact with the _________ in public.

opposite sex

Men avoid gazing at or smelling women who are not their ________

wives.

__________do not touch wives in public or during menstruation.

Ultra-Orthodox husbands

Jewish clients prefer being around family or fellow Jews, especially when ________

ill.

_____________:Nurses should understand Judaic laws to avoid misinterpretation of client or family behavior, especially regarding modesty and physical contact.

Religious sensitivity:

____________: Ultra-Orthodox husbands may avoid physical contact or viewing the birth due to laws of separation, participating only verbally or spiritually through prayer. Childbirth practices:

__________: Orthodox men and women follow strict modesty rules—men wear yarmulkes and black coats; women cover their hair and dress conservatively.

Modesty and gender roles:

Male nurses should generally avoid caring for female Orthodox clients unless necessary for health reasons; care by _______ is preferred.

same-gender staff

_______________: Elderly Jewish clients in hospitals or nursing homes may adjust better when near other Jewish patients, as this provides comfort and cultural understanding.

Care environment

Family and Community:

The _______________ are the foundations of Jewish culture.

nuclear family and Jewish community

Families are _____________, with strong emphasis on education and maintaining Jewish faith and traditions.

close-knit and child-oriented

Historically __________, but modern Jewish families now share responsibilities more equally.

male-dominated

Mothers have traditionally been _________, acting as the cohesive force in the home.

protective and nurturing

Cultural Continuity and Identity:

Children are viewed as the__________, making religious education a top priority.

future of the Jewish people

The_______________________________ remains strong, rooted in religious commandments to care for others.

sense of community and helping one another

Historical events like the __________ and the establishment of Israel strengthened Jewish unity and pride.

Holocaust

___________ are more mobile, yet they still seek Jewish connections wherever they go.

Modern Jewish Americans

_______ activates strong family and community support; expect many visitors who may act as advocates for the patient./Illness

Jewish parents are deeply involved in their child's care and may appear demanding due to __________

protective instincts.

Nurses should respond with patience and understanding, recognizing that this behavior stems from __________

love and cultural values.

Encourage family presence and participation in care whenever possible, as this aligns with Jewish values of ___________

compassion and responsibility.

-Deep connection to over 5,000 years of Jewish history.

-Remember tragedies like the Holocaust to prevent recurrence.

-Rituals such as breaking a glass at weddings symbolize the destruction of the Temple.

-Annual recitation of the Kaddish prayer honors deceased loved ones.

Past-oriented:

-Strong focus on social justice and community service (tikkun olam - repairing the world).

-Practice charity (tzedaka) for both Jews and non-Jews.

-Value doing good deeds on earth rather than focusing on the afterlife.

Present-oriented:

-High importance placed on education—both religious and secular.

-Parents and communities view education as a duty for the child's and community's future.

-During illness, Jews worry about future implications for themselves and their families.

Future-oriented:

-Generally punctual for appointments.

-Social functions (e.g., weddings, bar mitzvahs) may start later—called "Jewish standard time."

Time habits:

Jewish clients may show strong emotional expressions (____________).

joy, sorrow, anxiety

They often become __________ when unwell or awaiting diagnosis.

anxious or impatient

Nurses should demonstrate:

______- to handle emotional intensity calmly.

Patience

_________- to build trust and reduce anxiety./Honesty

________ - to help the client feel cared for.

Genuine concern

Older Jewish clients tend to express more ___________; younger ones are often more ________ due to assimilation.

outward anxiety, restrained

Many Jewish people tend to be _______ about life

fatalistic

They may believe that they do have some control over their health, but ___________

God has the final say

This belief is apparent during ____________ (the New Year and the Day of Atonement)

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur

Jews pray to be written in the _____________ for another year

Book of Life

Jewish people have a religious requirement to maintain the health of the body as well as the soul, dating back

to the __________.

Torah

Many of the 613 biblical commandments appear hygienic; ____________

and other books are devoted to control of disease./Leviticus (12-14)

The ______- stresses exercise, enough sleep, breakfast, and proper diet.

Talmud

Physicians are held in high esteem; in biblical times, ________ were physicians.

priests

When ill, it is a duty to go to a _______, and the family ensures the person goes.

physician

__________ stated a person should not settle in a city without a physician.

Talmudic scholars

Jewish people show a __________ of health care control, believe physicians cannot heal without client participation, and may question diagnosis or treatment.

higher internal locus

If not agreeing, the client is expected to seek knowledge of another physician; obtaining a second opinion is a ___________

religious dictate.

Health is one of the most frequent topics; older Jews may see good health as exception rather than the rule, viewing life as a __________ between illnesses.

temporary lapse

_________ is important; each family member protects and warns others, making client teaching easier and involving the whole family.

/Prevention of illness

There is increased interest in alternative or collaborative health care, including fat content of food, herbs, and the rise of healing centers in San _____________, with healing services in temples throughout the U.S.

Francisco and New York City

When a member of a Jewish family is ill, the whole family suffers and helps the person __________

feel better.

Complaining expected and accepted, especially in the older generation, giving _____________________

relief, communication, assistance, and family solidarity.

In hospital, clients may act as at home and complain, cry, moan, groan to ___________.

seek sympathy

If the client does not _________, a family member will do so as responsibility.

verbalize pain

______________ give detailed responses about pain, illness, anxieties, and relationships, with probing needed.

First-generation Jewish Americans

___________ are less expressive but still believe it is wrong not to express feelings.

Later generations

If complaining does not work, crying may be used as expression of __________.

frustration or pain

With acculturation, women may cry but men adopt the American view that crying is improper. For Jews, pain and discomfort are __________ that health care must be used.

warnings

Jews have higher physician utilization rates, often getting___________, checking literature and the Web, and asking recommendations.

second or third opinions

The physician is seen as ______________, but the client final judge of health.

consultant and advisor

Once opinion is accepted, the client will cooperate with therapeutic measures but expects an individualized regimen, wants details of treatment, side effects, and drug names, and is not content with ___________

vague answers.

They observe _________ carefully, may adjust or reject medication without consulting the physician. Thorough explanations are essential.

drug effects

Future-oriented Jewish clients may fear _________, making them hesitant to take analgesics.

addiction

Jewish-Americans are well educated and well read on _______________

health, diet, prevention, and regimens.

In the past, Jewish children were less active, focusing on intellectual pursuits due to fears of abduction. Today, children join sports and parents engage in ____________

jogging, tennis, aerobics.

Maintaining certain laws is part of wellness behaviors in ____________ people. Many laws are in everyday habits because they are good hygiene or medically prudent.

Orthodox Jewish

1. Hand washing on awakening, after elimination, hair cutting, touching vermin, or proximity to a dead human

body.

2.Weekly baths and having breakfast.

3.Avoid unclean vessels or unclean hands when eating or drinking.

Good hygiene

Maintaining a ______ diet can be challenging for Jewish clients in the hospital, especially if there is no kosher food supplier nearby.

kosher (kasher, "fit, proper")

Kosher meat is ______ to remove blood, which can be problematic for clients on a low-salt diet unless the meat is soaked in water to reduce salt content.

salted

When kosher food is unavailable, nurses can offer ______ with fins and scales or dairy products if allowed by the client's diet.

fish

Meals should be served on ______ plates with plastic utensils to avoid mixing meat and dairy.

paper

If kosher food cannot be provided due to medical or dietary restrictions, the client may choose to ______ the restriction since preserving life overrides dietary laws, as directed by a rabbi.

waive

Two major Jewish holidays that require special care consideration are ______ and Passover.

Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)

During Yom Kippur, Jews ______ for 24 hours, but if fasting is medically unsafe, the law requires them to break the fast to protect their health.

fast

Passover, celebrated for eight days in spring, commemorates Jewish freedom from ______.

Egypt

Passover requires foods that are kosher for Passover, also known as ______.

kasher le-pesah

During Passover, foods containing ______, grains, or grain by-products are forbidden.

leavening

Some medications made with starch or ______ alcohol may also be restricted during Passover.

grain

Clients may refuse such medications unless they are irreplaceable and medically ______.

necessary

Nurses should be aware of these restrictions to provide culturally sensitive and ______ care.

safe

The use or nonuse of ______ is dictated by Jewish law, which requires one to "be fruitful and multiply."

contraceptives