Difference between Hebrew, Israeli, and Jew? What do you call an American born guy with Jewish parents from?

Question

Israel who doesn't practice Judaism?
To clarify, his parents are Jewish both religiously and ethnically. He is Christian.

So he's not Israeli because he's America born; he's still Jewish?

Sam... it is very confusing and I'm already caught! I just don't want to offend anyone when I define him. I'm also curious myself.

Answer 1

"Hebrew" is an ancient name for the Jewish people. An Israeli is someone who is a citizen of the modern state of Israel. A Jew is more complex. There are two parts to being Jewish: an ethnic element, which is the same as any other ethnicity, and a religious element. There is a Jewish people, and their religion is (by and large) Judaism. As for what to call your friend, most Jews would consider a Jew who converted to Christianity to be a soft of traitor to his people and thus beyond the pale. But according to Jewish law, he is a Jew, and would be free to renounce his errant ways and return to the religion of his ancestors when he so decides.

You're correct. He's not Israeli, because that would mean he's a citizen of Israel (he can always claim Israeli citizenship if he really wants it). But he's still a Jew.

Answer 2

Hebrew- Old style, biblical term for a Jew. Also, the name of a language that the Bible was written in originally.

Israeli- Anyone who is a citizen of the modern State of Israel. 80% of Israelis are Jewish.

Jew- a member of the Jewish people. A Jew is anyone whose mother is Jewish or who has converted to Judaism according to the dictates of Jewish law.

Answer 3

A Jew is someone born to a Jewish mother, or who converts to Judaism.

An Israeli is a citizen of the State of Israel (there are non-Jewish citizens of Israel, too).

"A Hebrew" is another world "a Jew" but with a more ancient connotation.

Originally there were 12 Jewish tribes in Israel. 10 tribes were "lost" leaving behind the tribe of Judah. "Jew" is really short for "Judean" or someone from the tribal land of Judah. From the time that the only intact tribe was Judah, "Hebrew" and "Judean" became synonymous for practical purposes.

Answer 4

I'd call him American unless he told me a preference. If I were asked his religious affiliation I'd say Jewish if I knew this to be the case.

There are, actually, Americans. We are of many and, really, any race. We tend not to match in skin colour or ancestry beyond American. We are still, though, American.

Your friend, it would seem, is an American Christain. If he wants to be reffered to in any other way I'd suggest you ask him.

No matter what others may say there is nothing wrong with admitting to be an American, especially if we are born and raised here. No matter our political (or otherwise) views we can't do much to change anything to which we refuse to belong.

Hebrew is a language and Judaism a religion. There are so many people that speak the one and/or practice the other born in so many different geographical locations with so many different genetic backgrounds.

Israel is a place. People born there or having citizenship there may claim to be Israeli. Could be they had ancestors who immigrated there from, well, anywhere.

And to all the people I know who say they are Italian: You weren't born there. Heck, your great-grandparents weren't born in Italy. Two of you have vactioned in Italy. I, as far as I know, have no direct Italian ancestry. I'm as Italian as you and you are as Irish as I. We're american. Live with it!

Answer 5

Being Jewish comes from the Mothers side.
If your mother is Jewish then you are Jewish. It doesn't matter what your father is.
So if his mother is Jewish, then he is Jewish.
And according to Judaism, one cannot convert to any other religion. The saying is "Once a Jew, always a Jew".
Such a person's conversion would not be recognized by the Jewish people.
He's obviously confused and you run the risk of getting caught up in his identity crisis.

Run!!!

Answer 6

Because of the displacement of Jews in biblical times, someone who is "Jewish" may be from any country. Typically, Jewish people come from Central European countries and Russia. The formation of the Jewish state gave them a homeland to return to but did not create another kind of Jew. As for this person who has two Jewish parents but is a Christian? That's his choice, not his heritage. In order to actually be a Jew, your mother has to be Jewish. You CANNOT be a Jew if your mother isnt one. Bottom line is that it really doesnt matter. If this is someone you like somehow, it should be the last thing on your mind. And if it is someone you are going to base your decision to like or not like on whether he is or isnt a Jew, I suggest you do him a favor and leave him alone.

Answer 7

He is an Israeli-American if ya wanna get pc about it. Personally I think ppl should not worry so much about nametags of society and concentrate on who THEY are as a person.....

Answer 8

he's american.