I'm a little Greek and a little French and mostly American.
Somehow, I get asked if I am Jewish a lot.
My last name is sort of vague (in ethnicity) as is my first.
So, I'm wondering I would love to know what the process is for Jewish people to find out if you are also. I'm serious, since I get asked this a lot, I find it really interesting.
A lady where I work is Jewish and she says it comes down to this:
1. does the person look sort of, even a little, Mediterranean
2. look for Italian or Greek or Spanish last name. If so, you are out of luck (most likely not Jewish).
3. look for a common Jewish first name such as Miriam or Ariella.
If the first name is Latin sounding, out of luck.
4. throw out clues in the conversation and see what happens.
I kind of feel it's strange for her to have a process like this. Isn't that sort of racial profiling? but I suppose it's for good not evil.
Anyway, I'd love to hear people's thoughts & have a nice night & weekend.
2006-08-25 15:58:30 · 9 answers · asked by faith c 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
They're looking for a match for a nice Jewish boy they know! Yeah, we're a very inquisitive bunch (I'm Jewish.) Like you said, it's all very benign. You have a nice weekend, too.
2006-08-25 16:10:44 · answer #1 · answered by banjuja58 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your advice was pretty good. It typically begins with a someone having a name like "Goldberg" and that is a dead give-away that you are of Jewish ancestry or decided you liked the name. Then there are the first names which are certain, gentiles have names like Miriam but if you say Chana instead of Hanna or a name in Yiddish or even a real Israeli name such as Ronit. There is a Jewish look that changes from country to country. There are also things that a person will often say in a conversation casually because they are Jewish, for example, how they say God or call Saturday Shabbat and then there are many who speak Yiddish or Hebrew.
2006-08-29 12:01:45 · answer #2 · answered by Scane 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are no hard and fast rules. My jewish law, if your mom was jewish, you are too! There are some common last names (mostly from Europe) that are telltale signs, but it's not always easy. My last name is Spanish but I am jewish, and people tell me I look Italian!
2006-08-28 09:37:28 · answer #3 · answered by Big Larry 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your friend is absolutely right. Her "rules" are actually what every Jewish person thinks to himself during a conversation to a stranger who has the "potential" of being Jewish.
Appearance, last and first name, personal "Jewish" details- yeah, she summed it all up.
2006-08-27 07:36:51 · answer #4 · answered by yotg 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think we are just trying to find more, a homing instinct if you will.
(weird smiley imagined here)
really, Alexander (Greek) can be a Jewish name, as can Italian names. Just not often.
Ever take up a hobby and get excited when you randomly met someone who did it too?
Imagine your social life being like that!
2006-08-26 12:39:08 · answer #5 · answered by readstoomuch 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
im not jewish but my sister is dating a jew. if the person talks about how he is jewish nonstop then ur talking to a jew. at least thats what he does.
2006-08-25 16:02:23 · answer #6 · answered by god_of_the_accursed 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
i've never actually thought about that. ive never really wondered what religion someone was while first meeting them. usually it just comes up in conversation
2006-08-25 16:02:20 · answer #7 · answered by . 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ask if they'd like a ham and cheese sandwich...
2006-08-25 16:55:23 · answer #8 · answered by christopher s 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
just tell them your a pig farmer
2006-08-25 22:43:42 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋