Why do people claim to be half-Jewish?

Question

Judaism is a faith not a race. You're either a Jew or you're not!

Answer 1

I know what you mean and don't get it either, i know someone whos grandmother was Jewish and he says that he is quarter jew?!

Answer 2

You're right that Judaism is not a race - If you doubt this, just look at the racial differences between Ethiopian Jews, Indian Jews, Spanish Jews, Ugandan Jews, German Jews and Russian Jews. Also consider converts of all races, including Asian and Scandinavian African-American folks. There are Jews of all races.

However, Judaism is more than a faith - It is a culture, or a set of cultures, that have developed around the faith.

While it is true that technically according to halacha one is either a Jew or not a Jew... When it comes to ethnicity, that is not true. One can be ethnically partly Jewish.

Many people DO think of Jewish as a race even though it's technically not one, so they think of "half-Jewish" the same way as they'd think of "half Chinese". This is problematic, but this is how some people think of things.

It is also worth pointing out that a person whose father is Jewish and was raised with Jewish customs and faith and culture in their home, while not halachically Jewish is CERTAINLY culturally Jewish... and it would make sense they would try to find a way to explain their relation to Judaism (i.e. "half Jewish").

Answer 3

They're trying to play a race card that doesn't exist. Or maybe he just practices the faith half the time.

There was a guy at work here in the U.S. who claimed to be half- Jewish and half Catholic. He also claimed to be direct descendants of French and Scottish royalty, had a town in Ohio that was named after his family, owned a 200 acre farm in the country, spoke fluent French, travelled to Scotland and England often to visit relatives. Yet, he drove around in a beat up Fiero, once had his water shut off because he didn't pay the bill and never, ever had a telephone.

Once a friend of mind sent me a tin of Treacle and some chocolates which I picked up from the post office on the way to work. As it was hot in the car, I took it inside my workplace.

I showed him the can of treacle. He said, "Oh TREE-ACH-ELL." He wasn't half anything but 100% complete a** h***. Unfortunately, there's too many liars just like him out there.

Answer 4

Ah, if only life were so simple.

The people I have known who considered themselves half jewish had one parent who was a jew.

I think many would argue with your idea that a faith rather than a race is involved.

Answer 5

People get mixed up with Israel and Judaism,your right you either jew or not??!!I know a girl who claims to be half Sikh and half Muslim,like how does that work?

Answer 6

Jewish is also a race.

Most of the Jews wandering around today are descended from one of the Twelve Tribes of Israel.

Clearly there's a lot of difference between an Ashkenazi in Poland (all two of them) and an Ethiopian Jew, but there is a descent.

You get the fact that you're Jewish from your mother and your tribe from your father. Nobody except the orthodox ones pay real attention to that, but that's also how someone could be half Jewish.

Answer 7

I think when people are saying that they are meaning one side of their family is of the Jewish faith, not how much of a Jew they are themselves.
It is basically using the term Jew as one would a race or ethnicity (i.e. half English, half Dutch etc.).

Answer 8

You are right but i kinda see what people mean.

For example my friend's mother's side are Jewish and his Father's side Christian (although his dad converted so he could marry his mum), he is a Jew entirely but still celebrates christmas, easter etc as well as all the jewish festivals.

It may be him being greedy.

But yeah I agree with you that people can't be half Jewish.

Answer 9

No, actually, Judaism is unique in that it is both a religion and an ethnicity.
A person can be Jewish ethnically, but follow a different religion. For example, Christian Jews are called "Messianic Jews" from the root word Messiah.
Many Jewish people today are atheist or agnostic.

Answer 10

See: Last..Ent's answer.

But as to your question it likely can't be answered because the "people," doing the claiming likely have various rationale for claiming same and therefore one shoe does not fit all.