The term culture is defined as “the thoughts, communications, actions, customs, beliefs, values, and institutions of racial, ethnic, religious, or social groups” (Potter & Perry, 2013 ). With the increase in culturally diverse populations in the United States, it is important for nurses to practice cultural competence. Cultural competence is the ability to acquire specific behaviors, skills, attitudes and policies in a system that allows “effective work in an intercultural context” (OMH, 2013). Being culturally competent is essential because nurses who recognize and respect patient health beliefs and practices are more likely to achieve positive health outcomes (OMH, 2012). Every culture has certain views and attitudes about health. Jews (also called Jews), in particular, have intriguing health practices and beliefs that health care providers need to be aware of. Regarding religion, the majority of the Jewish population practices Judaism. Judaism is one of the world's oldest religions, being more than three thousand years old (Schub T & Pravikoff D, 2013). A religious practice of the Jews is the circumcision of their children. The Jewish Written Law, or Torah, obliges the father to ensure that his son is circumcised on the eighth day of life. Although the topic of circumcision is somewhat controversial, Jews firmly believe that the ritual is created by God Himself and that “He certainly knows what is good and what is not good for us” (Rich TR, 2011). In addition to religious practices, Jews tend to have a day of rest, also known as the Sabbath day. During the Sabbath, Jews avoid any form of work, including driving, walking, and even refraining from pressing the bedside button in a hospital setting (Schu... middle of card...). .r family members Finally, Jews often use humor as a strategy to communicate with others, or may use it as one of their coping mechanisms; however, references to concentration camps and the Holocaust are inappropriate and should be avoided in conversations (Schub T. et al., 2013). Works CitedThe office of minority Health (2013). Retrieved from http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/templates/browse.aspx?lvl=2&lvlID=11Rich, TR (2011) Birth and the first month of life. Retrieved from http://www.jewfaq.org/birth.htmReferenceSchub, T., Pravikoff, D. (2013). Nursing reference center. Retrieved from http://web.b.ebscohost.com/nrc/detail?sid=11630b6a-4c3e-4f8b-8720-f72335626365%40sessionmgr111&vid=5&hid=112&bdata=JnNpdGU9bnJjLWxpdmU%3d#db=nrc&AN. =T707443