Choose one of these two questions to answer:
QUESTION 1:As Toledo Rabbi Weinstein once mentioned and as data bears out,Jews have won Nobel Prizes about 100 times more often than average per capita, since Jews represent only .2% of the global population but 22% of Nobel Prize winners. Write an essay that explores this phenomenon by answering these questions:
(1) For starters, why might the global Jewish population be this small today?
(2) In one paragraph each, develop three different hypotheses about why Jews have won more Nobel prizes than average per capita based on what you know about:
i. Jewish history
ii. Jewish practices
iii. Jewish sacred texts OR Jewish beliefs
(3) Close by responding to your 3 hypotheses: which do you take to be the most plausible and why? Are there any life lessons here? Explain.
QUESTION 2: There is a new thing happening: some Jews are starting to practice both Judaism and Buddhism at the same time, and calling themselves "Jew-Bu's." Given your understanding of Buddhism and Judaism, how do you think combining these two religions in one's life might work? Answer by exploring:
(1) What beliefs and/or practices between Judaism and Buddhism are similar (if any)?
(2) What beliefs and/or practices between Judaism and Buddhism conflict (if any)?
(3) What beliefs and/or practices between Judaism and Buddhism are different but complementary (if any) -meaning you could believe and/or practice them both at the same time, even though they are different?
(4) Based on 1-3, describe a day in the life and mind of a Jew-Bu with as much detail as you can.
(5) Assuming for a moment that you were going to be religious, do you think it would be better to live your life combining two religions or practicing just one at a time? Why?