Do Jewish people think about who is a Jew a lot?

Question

When I go to visit my older sister at NYU, all of the girls in her dorm ask me if I am Jewish. I'm actually not any religion at all, and I'm ethnically Italian and English.

There is this common room on her floor at the dorm., and when I was cooking dinner all of the girls were in there listing which celebrities were Jewish and who "looked it."

please answer if you are Jewish, do you often think about if another person is Jewish when you meet them? Are you really eager to know? if so, why?

I'm sorry if I'm being ignorant but my family is Catholic but when I meet someone I never think about their religion, I just want to know them as a person.
Also, I've never asked anyone what their religion is, certainly not when I first meet them. I have never cared about the religion of any celebrities . I'm not saying it is wrong, maybe it's a cultural difference?


ps the Jewish girls were very friendly but I just found it intrusive, I guess because I'm not used to it.

I asked my friend (who is Jewish) about this and she said it's because they are a minority & like to feel companionship.

I think that's great, but at NYU or in NYC they have a lot of companionship and also the girls were all together when they asked me, so I don't think they are lacking in friends.

Did I mention I don't mean to insult anyone Jewish?

Also, are they trying to convert you (I'm serious)?

Answer 1

Me too!! It seems jewish people are in love with being jewish. Liek they not only believe in their faith but they like to be "jewish people" like have a bunch of jewish friends and all

Answer 2

You are not ignorant by any means.

I am a clinical psychiatrist an I also hold a Ph.D. in religion. I don't reside in the United States and have been all over the world.

I am Catholic and when I was a young child because I lived in an area where there were many people of the Jewish faith I would go to the synagogue on Saturdays and to mass on Sundays.

There are eleven major religions in the world. When I travel as a volunteer doctor an I am in Asia I will attend a Buddhist Temple or a Mosque. (Learning experience & knowledge).

I have a star of David and a gold cross around my neck.

When I meet a person an if they are Jewish without my knowing, they will always say "I am Jewish". Like who cares!! Plus if you try and tell them that they are not a religion they will argue with you.

They fail to understand that your religion is not your nationality.

what more can I say!!

Answer 3

from my experience with Jewish people i find, that like alot of other "ethnic" or any other type of group that represents a "vast minority", especially one persecuted frequently, everyone sort of "knows one another" in a way that comes from being in a tight knit community. they all share, more or less, similar backgrounds due to the similarities in upbringing and values, etc. so, when asked whether you are one, and you are, there is an automatic entree' into a more open relationship from that moment. also, in the spirit of "Mediterranean types" generally, and perhaps your italian relatives tend in this direction, there is a warmth and friendliness that accompanies interacting with the Jews. being cool and tastefully "distant" is not a popular trait. perhaps a little too familiar for some--the british and nordic types, definitely, i'm sure. but for the "warmer" personality types it wouldn't be too much of a departure from what they're used to. on the "down side" it can be very intrusive, because they may want to know intimate details about your life, right from the outset. it isn't so much nosiness, as lack of repression, i think. anyway that's my experience. the Jewish folks seem, generally, very bright and well educated, creative and artistic, funny and warm, and successful in most of their endeavors. definitely not average, dull people. :-)

Answer 4

Well, I guess, if that's true, it's because there are so few of us in relation to the general public, that we tend to be more "comfortable" with each other...maybe that's why. No offense was intended by this. And it's absolutely not true that Jews try to convert anyone...that's the last thing a Jew would do! Conversion has to come from within and it's a difficult process to convert to Judaism.

Answer 5

Never gave it much thought - to answer your question, no... for me it's when I hear a last name or someone who fits the stereotype look that ISN'T is when I become eager to find out how they aren't... :)

Jews & Catholics have a lot in common - after all we have the born agains to tell us we're both going to Hell..

ps - Jewish Girls especially from NY are very intrusive, it's just how they are :)

Answer 6

I have to admit it is something I think about when I see/meet someone...I live in a Jewish neighborhood among Jewish people so I guess you could attribute it to that. I'm the same me to everyone but I see what you're saying. glad to hear it in such a rational manner

btw for anyone who's thought to be jewish jews are supposed to be pretty. doesn't extend to me for some reason :)

Answer 7

It's just part of being a minority. With some ethnicity's, it's easy to tell if someones a member or not. With Jews, you're going on looks, words, or names. Everybody does it. Your just looking for a common thread with you fellow man.

Answer 8

I'm always asked if I am Jewish too! I'm actually of English and French heritage, but for some reason I guess I look Jewish! LOL.

Answer 9

I'm Assyrian and we have a similar history and culture to the Jews and we do the same thing. We do often wonder who is Assyrian and who's not because of us being such a small minority, it's interesting to find one from the same group.

Answer 10

alrighty then im jewish the more observant type ... maybe they thought if u were jewish they could bring u to become more religious.. if thats not the case then tell them anyway u are not jewish .but thanks for asking and please i think its very intrusive when u ask those sort of questions of me thats all u gotta say. umm they also coulda been a certain sect of jews called Lubavitch if uer not familar wth such go to www.chabad.org just so uer familiar wth them more. i dont think they were trying to be rude just curious sorry ... anyways goodluck wth that. no sweety they werent trying to convert u we jews dont do that sort of thing not real jews anyway so uer ok dont worry.