2007-02-12 10:54:59 · 14 answers · asked by ? 2 in Social Science ➔ Anthropology
The short answer is no. I don't think there are "definitive" Jewish features that are universal, but I do think there are some features Ashkenazy Jews sometimes have - narrow faces, pouty lower lips. Sephardic Jews are usually Arab-looking, meaning essentially Mediterranian olive-skinned, dark hair, etc. But there are many people with Jewish ancestry who, if I hadn't read or heard that they were Jewish, it never would've occurred to me. Natalie Portman, Paul Newman, Gwyneth Paltrow...
2007-02-12 11:21:53 · answer #1 · answered by goblue_1967 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There is a jocular couplet:
"And the Lord said unto Moses
All the Jews shall have long noses."
There's some truth in it. Visit a Jewish gathering and you will see a lot of people with long narrow noses.
It's a distinctive trait that would be rare to find in a Gentile.
But plenty of Jews don't have that or any other obvious distinct feature. Genetically, many Jews are "just" Ukrainians, or intermred with Ukrainians, descendents of those who became Jews because their king in the northern Black Sea region adopted Judaism as his state religion.
And both marriage into and conversion to Judaism have been permitted in various countries and historic time periods. So while some subgroups such as the Cohenim have very distinct genetic markers, Jews as a whole do not.
2007-02-12 21:49:54 · answer #2 · answered by MBK 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You can't tell if a person is a Jew by the way they look. Judaism is a religion originating from the Hebrews ( which is a race). Not all Hebrews are Jewish and not Jews are Hebrews. So, you can tell if someone is a Hebrew ( they'd be mediterranian looking ) but, not if they're Jewish.
2007-02-14 14:50:02 · answer #3 · answered by digitalginga 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You cannot. A "Jew" isn't even a race of people, therefore you cannot distinguish them from other people. This question is like asking "how can you tell if someone is a christian from looking at them?" It doesn't work that way because It is a RELIGION, not a RACE. The stereotypical jewish follower is middleastern of decent, therefore displays the characteristics of a middleastern person.
2007-02-12 21:41:40 · answer #4 · answered by indyisking 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You can't really.Look at Paul Newman and look at Howard Stern.Both are Jewish but one fits the stereotype more than the other.I had a friend for years who I thought was Jewish.I stereotyped him,I never asked him.I thought ,"Hmmm curly hair ,big nose,not very sports minded",turns out he was a Lithuanian Catholic and I was sort of bigoted in my thinking.
2007-02-13 10:32:15 · answer #5 · answered by AngelsFan 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The short answer is you can't. Jews, including myself, come in all races and colours. The only real way to spot is a Jew is a Yarmulke, Peyot (Long curly side burns), or a prayer shawl. Other than that, we look just like everyone else. And why does it matter?
2007-02-13 01:50:54 · answer #6 · answered by Yitz Ben-Yishmael 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Ask them if they are Jewish and if their lips move and form the word yes they probably are. Apart from that there is no way.
2007-02-13 00:51:35 · answer #7 · answered by John B 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Why does it matter, being Jewish isn't defined by what you look like...the ignorant jokes mae by the othe people are just that ignorant....Really it shouldn't concern you what Jewish people look like...
2007-02-12 19:54:58 · answer #8 · answered by beans 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Well, they all have biblical names, like David. And then you look at a picture of Sammy Davis, Junior. He was a Jew. Hope this helps!
2007-02-12 22:51:26 · answer #9 · answered by Konswayla 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You cannot.
There are jews with blonde hair and green eyes, blonde jews, brunette jews, black & latino jews.
2007-02-16 16:13:39 · answer #10 · answered by Croa 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋