JUDAISM

FOUNDATION

Judaism is the oldest monotheistic religion, and the history of Judaism cannot be separated from the history of the Jewish people. Moses initiated Judaism about 1300 BC.

TEACHINGS

According to the teaching of Judaism there is no set of beliefs upon the acceptance of which the Jew may find salvation. This basic teaching is further underscored by the threefold function of the synagogue as a "house of study" (for learning of Torah), "house of prayer" (for worship of God), and "house of assembly" (for the care of community needs).
In its modern expression Judaism is also shaped by the following traditional beliefs:

* Man is pivotal in the universe. He sees himself as partner with God in the unending process of creation. "God needs man as much as man needs God."

* Man is a responsible moral agent, fully accountable for his acts. He is free to shape his own destiny.

* Human progress is possible as man realizes the great potential within him. The nature of man is basically good, or neutral, free from the encumbrance of original sin. Thus man may be optimistic and hopeful about his future.

*This – worldliness is a distinguishing mark of Judaism. The Hebrew Scriptures focus more on earth and man than upon heaven and God. Hence, lengthy speculation about the afterlife and otherworldy realities has never occupied a major position in Jewish thought.

* All of life must be regarded as sacred. Man is to seek to imitate God in sanctifying his every action. Time must be imbued with the seeds of eternity.

* Man is to pursue peace, justice, and righteousness. Salvation is dependent upon the betterment of society through good deeds. Historically, Jews have seen the Messiah as God's anointed human representative (not a God - man) who would usher in a golden age of societal and spiritual redemption. Today, however, Reform Judaism teaches that the Messianic Age will appear when humankind collectively, by its acts, reaches a level of true enlightenment, peace, and justice.

NUMBER OF ADHERENTS

This is the top 10 largest national Jewish populations:

USA: 5.602.000
Israel: 4.390.000
Russia: 1.450.000
France: 640.000
Canada: 350.000
United Kingdom: 320.000
Argentina: 250.000
Brazil: 150.000
Australia:  92.000
South Africa: 70.000

GROWING OR DECLINING

The worldwide Jewish population is 13.3 million Jews.  Jewish population growth worldwide is close to zero percent. From 2000 to 2001 it rose 0.3%, compared to worldwide population growth of 1.4%.
Approximately 37% of worldwide Jewry lives in Israel. Israel's Jewish population rose by 1.6% the past year, while the Diaspora population dropped by 0.5%.
Europe, including the Asian territories of the Russian Republic and Turkey, accounts for about 12 percent of the total. Fewer than 2 percent of the world’s Jews live in Africa and Oceania. 
What it means that Jewish population is declining