The Jewish communal place of worship is the synagogue, where prayer takes place facing Jerusalem. The Torah scrolls are the holiest objects in a synagogue and are kept in an alcove called the Ark. The spiritual leader of a synagogue or community is usually a rabbi (teacher).

Observant Jews pray three times a day, although spontaneous prayer may be offered at any time. God accepts prayer in any language, however, Hebrew is the usual language of Jewish prayer.

Shabbat (Sabbath) is a day of rest, or absence of work, lasting from sunset on Friday to nightfall on Saturday. Friday night dinners are one of the most observed Jewish practices, with many non-religious families gathering together to share a meal. While not all Jewish families observe strict Sabbath practices, for many, Sabbath candles are lit before sunset at a family gathering in the home, and prayers of sanctification are recited over wine and bread. Sabbath services and celebrations are held in the synagogue.

Rosh Hashana (New Year) is the anniversary of Creation when God reviews the world and examines the deeds of mankind. The shofar (a ram's horn) is blown as a call to spiritual wakefulness. Rosh Hashana is a two-day festival spent in prayer at the beginning of the month of Tishrei (which falls in September or October). The days between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are known as The Days of Awe or the Ten Days of Penitence and are a time for personal resolutions and healing relationships.

Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) is a 25-hour fast and period of abstinence, primarily spent in prayer, seeking forgiveness for sins against God. However, for sins committed against others, forgiveness must first be sought from the injured party before asking for divine pardon. Prayer, repentance and charity lead to forgiveness from God, while restitution is also required to achieve forgiveness from other people. Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the Jewish calendar.

Pesach (Passover) lasts eight days and marks the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. On the first two nights of the festival a home ceremony called a Seder takes place with prayers and food which symbolise the bitterness of slavery and the sweetness of freedom, and the story of the exodus from Egypt is related. Matzah, unleavened bread (flour without yeast), is eaten on Pesach to recall the “bread of affliction” which was eaten in Egypt. Leavened bread or other leavened food may not be eaten during the eight days of the festival. Pesach falls in the month of Nissan, which corresponds to March or April.

Shavuot (Weeks) is the festival when Jews mark God's giving of the Torah and the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai. It is an occasion for renewed dedication to the Torah. It falls seven weeks after Pesach. The period of 49 days between the festivals marks the transition from slavery to the freedom to serve God. Shavuot falls in the month of Sivan, which coincides with May or June.

Yom Ha'atzmaut, Israel's Independence Day, is observed as a festival, with the traditional Song of Praise reserved for festivals.

Days of Mourning include the Fast of Av on which the destruction of both Temples is remembered, and Yom Ha'Shoah, a day of remembrance for the victims of the Nazi Holocaust.

Simchat Torah (Celebration of the Torah) is a time of rejoicing over the completion of the annual cycle of reading the Torah and the beginning of a new annual cycle.

Chanukah (Festival of Lights) is an eight-day festival marking the victory of Judah the Maccabee in the 2nd century BCE over the Hellenic oppressors who had conquered Judea and defiled the Temple in Jerusalem. Judah, in rededicating the Temple, found only one day's supply of sacred oil from which to light the Menorah. The miracle of Chanukah is that the oil burned for eight days, symbolising the survival of the monotheistic Jewish tradition against the onslaught of paganism. Hence Jews today light a chanukiah (candelabrum) every night for eight nights. Chanukah falls in Kislev (November or December).

In many Jewish communities, there are specific clothing practices for boys and girls, which can vary depending on the level of religious observance, cultural traditions, and regional customs. Clothing norms help maintain a sense of Jewish identity and respect for religious traditions.

Jewish dress codes, particularly within religious communities, emphasize modesty (called tzniut in Hebrew) for both men and women. For women, this often means wearing clothing that covers the arms, legs, and neckline, and sometimes covering the hair with a scarf, hat, or wig (sheitel) after marriage. For men, modesty typically involves wearing a kippah (a skullcap, sometimes called a yarmulke in Yiddish) as a sign of respect for God, along with long trousers and sometimes a suit or jacket for formal occasions.

It is important to note that not all Jews follow these dress codes, and the level of adherence varies widely depending on the denomination and personal beliefs. It is also increasingly common for younger Jewish people to wear a symbolic magen david (Star of David) either as a necklace or other jewellery, as a religious item.

Jewish dietary laws (Kashrut) state that observant Jews eat only kosher ('proper') foods, as defined in the biblical commandments. All plants are kosher, while kosher meat must come from a permitted animal, bird or fish.

Permitted animals must have split hooves and chew their cud, such as cows, sheep, goats and deer. Permitted birds include chicken, duck and turkey. Permitted fish must have fins and scales. Forbidden foods include pork and its products, birds of prey and shellfish. Also, milk and meat products may not be eaten together.

Animals are slaughtered by a specially trained person in a specific manner that is as pain-free and humane as possible. Kashrut also requires the preparation of food using kosher equipment and utensils, which must not be used for non-kosher food. Observant Jews will therefore not eat food prepared in restaurants or homes that are not kosher.

Fresh fruit, vegetables, and water are kosher.

During World War II, Jews were targeted based on their religious and ethnic identity, which resulted in the genocide of 6 million Jews. This event is referred to as the Holocaust.

Many Australian Jews have a connection to the Holocaust and Jewish students may be affected by the teaching of topics related to the Holocaust, or by related discussions which may arise at school.

The Holocaust may be addressed in various subjects across the curriculum, including History and English. Discussions about the Holocaust may also arise in programs or activities focusing on antisemitism, anti-racism and related issues focusing on world events.