Do Jews in Europe and The United States have middle eastern origins or no?

Answer 1

Hey JO, if you trace back 2000 years, then of course all jews everywhere have Middle Eastern origins.

However, it is common not to trace back that far, but divide jewish people into Sefardim (those coming from Arabic countries) and Ashkenazi (those coming from Eastern Europe).

So for example, those jews that were living in Spain in the middle ages, came from Morocco, and are called Sefardim. With the Inquisition starting in 1492 (after the catholic kings overtook the muslim rule and all non-catholics were chased) these jews moved up north, for example to liberal Amsterdam - but were still Sefardim.

With the progroms in Eastern Europe, many of the Azkenazi jews moved to more liberal Western Europe as well.

Thus creating a jewish community that exists of both Sefardim and Ashkenazi.

Result : mixture. Some will be of Middle Eastern origin, some not.

Answer 2

Technically, we're all descended from Abraham, who was Middle-Eastern. (Except converts, of course).

But that was 4000 years ago. Jews tend to take on the races of their host countries, so most Jews in Europe and America are Caucasian.

Answer 3

I suppose if you go back far enough everyone has middle eastern origins.

Answer 4

I know Jews that have African origins.

Answer 5

Probably but it would go back centuries.

Answer 6

Some do, some don't.