Judaism is the oldest religion of the western world. Both Christianity and Islam have their roots in Judaism. Jewish people are also known as Hebrews and Israelites in the Old Testament. Their story begins in Genesis, the first book of the Old Testament. Abraham is the patriarch of a nomadic tribe. In about 2200 B.C., he and his family move across Mesopotamia from Ur to Haran towards Canaan. Canaan, the Promised Land, is the land G-d promises Abraham because of his faith and trust in G-d. At that time, most people believed in many gods, but Abraham believed in the G-d of the Old Testament. The Old Testament calls the sons of Abraham G-d’s Chosen People.

Abraham and his family arrived in Canaan, which is the land east of the Mediterranean Sea and known as Israel today, but referred to as Palestine by the Arabs.  Abraham’s grandson, Jacob, had twelve sons, and they represent the 12 tribes of Abraham: