Do admissions regard Jewish as a race?

[ZacharyMD]

I've been wondering about this for quite some time. I am mostly Jewish by blood and I was wondering...is this something that you can put on an application as a race? I've heard "yes, you can" from some people but I've also heard from others that it isn't regarded as an "official" race.

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[notdeadyet]

I don't think I've seen it listed on any of the forms I've filled in for this process.

 

[MercuryX]

I don't think so. I think it's classified as a religion. Could you imagine, it'd be as crazy as having a "Christian" race.

 

[Pkboi24]

I'll be the first to admit. I can't even tell Jewish people apart from run-of-the-mill caucasians. Sorry, I don't suppose most non-Asians would be able to tell Korean from Japanese either.

 

[siinew]

I'll be the first to admit. I can't even tell Jewish people apart from run-of-the-mill caucasians. Sorry, I don't suppose most non-Asians would be able to tell Korean from Japanese either.

LOL, what's a run-of-the mill caucasian? I didn't realize there even was such a thing in this country any more.

And no, I don't think being Jewish qualifies as another race either, just to put in my .02.

 

[Law2Doc]

I've been wondering about this for quite some time. I am mostly Jewish by blood and I was wondering...is this something that you can put on an application as a race? I've heard "yes, you can" from some people but I've also heard from others that it isn't regarded as an "official" race.

No it's a religion. There are jews of many races.

 

[ClockworkDoc]

I'll be the first to admit. I can't even tell Jewish people apart from run-of-the-mill caucasians.

Mel Gibson Can!

 

[LizzyM]

I have never, in six years, seen it on an AMCAS application as a racial category. Religion doesn't show up on the application unless you make a decision to include extracurricular activities or mention it in your essay.

 

[allthaticanbe]

Just I quick question from an uninformed person.
When you say your Jewish by birth does that mean that growing up your parents never gave a choice, don't when your 13 you take classes and such and then choice wheter you want to commit or not?

Thanks

 

[Law2Doc]

Just I quick question from an uninformed person.
When you say your Jewish by birth does that mean that growing up your parents never gave a choice, don't when your 13 you take classes and such and then choice wheter you want to commit or not?

Thanks

Under the religion, you are jewish if your mother was, or if you have converted to it. At 13 there is a ceremony celebrating your becoming an adult, not to choose or commit to your religion. You were already in it from birth.

 

[dopaminesurge]

Under the religion, you are jewish if your mother was, or if you have converted to it. At 13 there is a ceremony celebrating your becoming an adult, not to choose or commit to your religion. You were already in it from birth.

Only for males.

Anyway, the question of whether or not Jewish is more than a religion is a very complex one. Certainly the nazis didn't care much if someone converted to christianity, right? They're still Jews irrespective of current religious beliefs or practices. I think there is, without a doubt, a component of nationalism to Jewishness beyond Judaism as a religion. When a small groups of people intermarries for several thousand years, it's inevitable. Furthermore, there are many people who identify as non-practicing Jews (myself included) and not many identifying as non-practicing Christians, Hindus, etc. And also, in answer to L2D's contention that there are Jews of many races - it's partially true, but the Priest's gene, for example, is found in Cohen Jews of all origins - and was used in identifying a Jewish tribe in Zimbabwe named the Lembe. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kohen#The_kohen_gene

As for racial identification, I generally check "other," because I'm genuinely uncomfortable identifying myself as white. I don't feel white.

 

[LolaGene]

I've been wondering about this for quite some time. I am mostly Jewish by blood and I was wondering...is this something that you can put on an application as a race? I've heard "yes, you can" from some people but I've also heard from others that it isn't regarded as an "official" race.

I think being jewish is more of an ethnicity which is a broader classification. According to a philosophy prof (who is jewish) Judaism is more concerned with orthopraxy which i see as having broader cultural implications other than religion. But that is just my personal view.

 

[xylem29]

http://www.answers.com/topic/albert-einstein (Religion section near middle to bottom)

According to Einstein, being Jewish is an ethnicity - so while he did not follow Judaism, the Nazi's still considered him to be Jewish.

Although I have no clue how anyone in Germany could tell if someone was Jewish or not - even in America, you can't always conslusively assume someone is jewish by their last name, and you'd think that there would be many pure german aryans with the name "stein" in their last names...

 

[BloodySurgeon]

http://www.answers.com/topic/albert-einstein (Religion section near middle to bottom)

According to Einstein, being Jewish is an ethnicity - so while he did not follow Judaism, the Nazi's still considered him to be Jewish.

Although I have no clue how anyone in Germany could tell if someone was Jewish or not - even in America, you can't always conslusively assume someone is jewish by their last name, and you'd think that there would be many pure german aryans with the name "stein" in their last names...

Hello Mr. Stein. Is it ok if you pull down your pants and face us. Thank you. Well, he's a JEW.... Sorry, here at NAZIville we dun think you have what were looking for.

I dun think they care what religon you are in, just the fact that you are willing to accept theirs. j/k. All jokes aside, you have no worries, there is no ultimate jewish race cuz its not a race and there is nowhere to list as such.

 

[Silver4]

Ugh. Judaism is a religion with a strong cultural component. Anyone can convert to Judaism (it's a long and complex process but it certainly can be done.) You can't convert to a race. Unless you're Michael Jackson (ooh snap, can o'worms...)

There are groups of Jews that you'd never realize were Jewish if you went solely by the stereotypes, such as Ethiopian Jews and Indian Jews (a large number of whom are currently moving to Israel, fyi.)

And, by the way, the Germans conducted a survey of "pure" aryans and Jews before the war. It found that the percentage of Jews with blond hair and blue eyes was statistically equivalent to that of aryans. Oops.

So, while it's always fun to play a rousing round of "who's a Jew?" during awkward silences at interviews- usually better to wait until school representatives are out of the way, and, in case you're wondering, my all-time high is 10/12- you can't claim to be a different race on your application unless there's some other kind of ethnicity dancing around your veins.

 

[dopaminesurge]

Ugh. Judaism is a religion with a strong cultural component. Anyone can convert to Judaism (it's a long and complex process but it certainly can be done.) You can't convert to a race. Unless you're Michael Jackson (ooh snap, can o'worms...)

There are groups of Jews that you'd never realize were Jewish if you went solely by the stereotypes, such as Ethiopian Jews and Indian Jews (a large number of whom are currently moving to Israel, fyi.)

And, by the way, the Germans conducted a survey of "pure" aryans and Jews before the war. It found that the percentage of Jews with blond hair and blue eyes was statistically equivalent to that of aryans. Oops.

So, while it's always fun to play a rousing round of "who's a Jew?" during awkward silences at interviews- usually better to wait until school representatives are out of the way, and, in case you're wondering, my all-time high is 10/12- you can't claim to be a different race on your application unless there's some other kind of ethnicity dancing around your veins.

Yes, but I'm telling you there was an entire Sub-Saharan tribe identified as Jewish by genetic markers... Like, there's at least an argument here that's not quite as easy to dismiss as you suggest.

 

[DrZeke]

Only for males.

Anyway, the question of whether or not Jewish is more than a religion is a very complex one. Certainly the nazis didn't care much if someone converted to christianity, right? They're still Jews irrespective of current religious beliefs or practices. I think there is, without a doubt, a component of nationalism to Jewishness beyond Judaism as a religion. When a small groups of people intermarries for several thousand years, it's inevitable. Furthermore, there are many people who identify as non-practicing Jews (myself included) and not many identifying as non-practicing Christians, Hindus, etc. And also, in answer to L2D's contention that there are Jews of many races - it's partially true, but the Priest's gene, for example, is found in Cohen Jews of all origins - and was used in identifying a Jewish tribe in Zimbabwe named the Lembe. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kohen#The_kohen_gene

As for racial identification, I generally check "other," because I'm genuinely uncomfortable identifying myself as white. I don't feel white.

Dopamine, I'm right there with you on this one 🙂. I agree, and also put other... white shmite 😀

 

[nrut88]

Being Jewish is NOT a race. A race is something that people can tell by looking at you. And if not that then has affected your life in some way no other person could experience unless they were that race. People can never tell if someone is jewish unless they verbally say they are to whom ever. People can convert to judaism and it does not change what race they are. The reason people think it's a race is because B.C.E. they were a different religion than the pagans were and because there were so few they were exiled for being different. Over many years this has altered many people's view points on religion and race. A prime example of this altered mind set is the Nazi's. Being jewish is just like being a christian, musslim, or bhuddist. This is why being jewish does not have anything to do with what race you are.

 

[nrut88]

Even if it was possible for Judaism to be a race, it's a dead race. IF it was a race, there's a little jewish in everyone.😉

 

[Eric Lindros]

"Jewish" is not a race, its a religion. wtf are people even arguing this. 😕

 

[nrut88]

Let's all claim Jewish as a race on our AMCAS applications! YAYYYYYYYE!!! Gotta fill them quotas lol.😀

 

[nrut88]

"Jewish" is not a race, its a religion. wtf are people even arguing this. 😕

Thank you Eric. Preach on.

 

[Eric Lindros]

As for racial identification, I generally check "other," because I'm genuinely uncomfortable identifying myself as white. I don't feel white.

Honestly, if you are white (you are according to the picture thread)................. its ok if you feel that way but this is a bonehead move as far as medical school admissions are concerned. I would say the average adcomm member would look at your application and say, "wtf is wrong with this person" and skip over your file. Honestly, why would you hurt your chances like that.

 

[caroladybelle]

Being Jewish is NOT a race. A race is something that people can tell by looking at you. And if not that then has affected your life in some way no other person could experience unless they were that race.

This is why being jewish does not have anything to do with what race you are.

I'll try to remember that the next time one of the local KKK/Christian Identity/Aryan Nations/NAAWP members gives me evil eye when I care for them, and refers to me as a mud person or K%^&. Or the ones that used to treat me like crap in High School.

You cannot necessarily tell what race someone is by "looking at them". There are plenty of "whites" that if you know their heritage, are by majority percentage - black. I know plenty of Native Americans (my adopted sister - documented 7/8ths) that don't "look Indian".

While we're at it, do Hispanics look differently? Not really.

Why don't we eliminate these little check boxes and just be people. In another 20 years or so, the mixture will be so diverse, you won't be able to classify anyone....except maybe those people out on the compound in Idaho with giant swastikas on the door and the burning cross in the yard.

 

[nrut88]

Honestly, if you are white (you are according to the picture thread)................. its ok if you feel that way but this is a bonehead move as far as medical school admissions are concerned. I would say the average adcomm member would look at your application and say, "wtf is wrong with this person" and skip over your file. Honestly, why would you hurt your chances like that.

Yeah... Dopaminesurge... Your about as white as they come... IF AT ALL JUDAISM IS A DEAD RACE.

 

[nrut88]

I'll try to remember that the next time one of the local KKK/Christian Identity/Aryan Nations/NAAWP members gives me evil eye when I care for them, and refers to me as a mud person or K%^&. Or the ones that used to treat me like crap in High School.

You cannot necessarily tell what race someone is by "looking at them". There are plenty of "whites" that if you know their heritage, are by majority percentage - black. I know plenty of Native Americans (my adopted sister - documented 7/8ths) that don't "look Indian".

While we're at it, do Hispanics look differently? Not really.

Why don't we eliminate these little check boxes and just be people. In another 20 years or so, the mixture will be so diverse, you won't be able to classify anyone....except maybe those people out on the compound in Idaho with giant swastikas on the door and the burning cross in the yard.

If I'm not mistaken I think your confusing Judaism with being "middle-eastern" -- it's cool though, you're right. In about 20 years it will be pretty mixed. Regardless if you were made fun of in highschool (everyone gets made fun of at some point) it doesn't matter be proud of who you are. I've never seen an hispanic who didn't look remotely hispanic and I've never seen a black person that you couldn't tell had another race in them. Judaism on the other hand. No one can or ever could tell. Sorry.

 

[jstuds_66]

"Jewish" is not a race, its a religion. wtf are people even arguing this. 😕

Bull.... Judaism is the religion. I understand why so many people get confused because Jews are typically defined as either descendants of Judah or as people who practice Judaism. However, Muslim is not a religion, so why would you call Jewish a religion? Muslims practice Islam. Jews (or Jewish people) are either descendants of Jews, or people who practice Judaism.

Along with previous posters, I would term it as more of an ethnicity than I would a race.

 

[Misfit!]

But even if Jews are genetically distinct, they are Semitic people (which also includes many Arabs) - and that is technically CAUCASIAN. I don't see how choosing "other" applies in any case (unless you are a Jew from some non-white continent). I think its misleading. But if you specify that "other" is Jewish, I'm sure the adcomms probably go right back and mentally classify you as caucausian either way.

 

[Eric Lindros]

Bull.... Judaism is the religion. I understand why so many people get confused because Jews are typically defined as either descendants of Judah or as people who practice Judaism. However, Muslim is not a religion, so why would you call Jewish a religion? Muslims practice Islam. Jews (or Jewish people) are either descendants of Jews, or people who practice Judaism.

Along with previous posters, I would term it as more of an ethnicity than I would a race.

Being "Jewish" = Caucasian. End of story. To put "other" when you are Caucasian is borderline stupididy in this process. It would be better to just not answer the question at all.

 

[Newton Bohr MD]

Being "Jewish" = Caucasian. End of story. To put "other" when you are Caucasian is borderline stupididy in this process. It would be better to just not answer the question at all.

you are ignorant! so ethiopians and indians and people from zimbabwe are caucasian??? IMHO "Jewish" should be a seperate ethinicity form "White American"... The Jewish ethnicity posesses the same amount of diversity as "hispanics"...

 

[proline]

Race is an optional box - if there is so much concern about what race you are, why not just leave it blank?

 

[proline]

We're all member of the human race. And the above members are right, in twenty years from now, we'll be so blended in this country, so it's stupid have a race box anyway.

 

[deuist]

Your views on Judaism as an ethnicity does not apply to the AMCAS. For medical schools, there is no "Jewish" option under race. You must select Caucasian, African, Hispanic, Middle Eastern, or whatever else is available on the check box.

 

[mvenus929]

I disagree with all those that say it's a religion. It's not. There are many atheist Jews, so if it was just a religion, then these people wouldn't be considered Jewish anymore.

Yes, there has been a great deal of intermarriage over the years, so I'm not sure being Jewish can be classified as a race. I would, though, consider it an ethnicity, comparable to my English and German backgrounds. If you don't feel comfortable filling in 'white' in the race box, just leave it blank. It'll save you the trouble later.

 

[Eric Lindros]

you are ignorant! so ethiopians and indians and people from zimbabwe are caucasian??? IMHO "Jewish" should be a seperate ethinicity form "White American"... The Jewish ethnicity posesses the same amount of diversity as "hispanics"...

😕 wtf

 

[Towelie]

Here's a question: who cares whether we consider being Jewish a race or not? I'm Jewish, and I don't even know what I consider it. It's not like it makes any difference.

 

[geno2568]

pre WW2 this was quite common......it's because schools had a Jewish Quota, as part of the Numerus Clausus. However, because this was used to limit the amount of Jews entering the class, it was very antisemitic, and most schools abandoned this practice by the 50's.

(i love Wikipedia)

 

[Newton Bohr MD]

pre WW2 this was quite common......it's because schools had a Jewish Quota, as part of the Numerus Clausus. However, because this was used to limit the amount of Jews entering the class, it was very antisemitic, and most schools abandoned this practice by the 50's.

(i love Wikipedia)

good point... if jews are not counted as white then, anti-semetism will rise...For example, it is rumored that jews (who are counted as white) make up 30 percent of harvard and other ivy league schools... Thus, I think the current way of counting jews as white is good b/c it reduced hate...👍

 

[Newton Bohr MD]

😕 wtf

my opinion is that "Jewish" is an ethnicity which very differnt cultural practices form the "white American" ethnicity!!! You have your opinion and I have mine...

 

[DrZeke]

Might I remind you that your race status, is something that you feel you want to report, and it's what you IDENTIFY as. So, if you don't feel comfortable calling yourself CAUCASIAN, because you are Jewish, then you can put OTHER. In no way to we cheat the system, and schools don't even give a crap about the other category. It's just a comfort thing. Like many people said...Judaism is not just a religion, it's an ethnicity, and with it comes some serious culture.

So, who cares if I or Dopamine put "other" on our app. It's our choice to pick something that we are comfortable with, and schools don't have some "other" quota or something. If I checked off African American because I was just trying to gain some type of diversity for my application, that would be wrong, because I am not African American, and do not identify as such. Not only that, but people get in trouble when they have African American heritage, but do not look "black". I have heard of students being grilled about their race, because of this. Although that may be wrong of the interviewer...my point here is that nobody ever got asked about "OTHER" as far as I know. And no interviewers have turned around to me, and said....well then WTF are you?

 

[babycapybara]

I feel a bit like jessy_erin but i would still consider myself white for these applications. white means caucasian which does not mean blond haired blue eyed. just because someone wasn't a dumb blonde cheerleader in school and doesnt identify with that, doesn't mean they are not white!!

on a related topic: is it ok for a blue-eyed blonde haired 4th generation american whose last name happens to be garcia to classify themselves as hispanic?

 

[Eric Lindros]

Might I remind you that your race status, is something that you feel you want to report, and it's what you IDENTIFY as. So, if you don't feel comfortable calling yourself CAUCASIAN, because you are Jewish, then you can put OTHER. In no way to we cheat the system, and schools don't even give a crap about the other category. It's just a comfort thing. Like many people said...Judaism is not just a religion, it's an ethnicity, and with it comes some serious culture.

So, who cares if I or Dopamine put "other" on our app. It's our choice to pick something that we are comfortable with, and schools don't have some "other" quota or something. If I checked off African American because I was just trying to gain some type of diversity for my application, that would be wrong, because I am not African American, and do not identify as such. Not only that, but people get in trouble when they have African American heritage, but do not look "black". I have heard of students being grilled about their race, because of this. Although that may be wrong of the interviewer...my point here is that nobody ever got asked about "OTHER" as far as I know. And no interviewers have turned around to me, and said....well then WTF are you?

Unfortunately not everyone feels that same way as you (including some adcomm members - remember they are human and have opinions too), and while I'm not saying its wrong to think this, its foolish to put any more risk in your medical school application when its hard enough to get in already. I would suggest sucking up your "discomfort" and putting caucasian if you look caucasian, that's all. And they don't necessarily have to ask you about it to have an opinion on it

 

[Law2Doc]

because Jews are typically defined as either descendants of Judah or as people who practice Judaism.

I think Judah was the leader of but one of the tribes. You can be a descendant of any of those tribes to be Jewish, not just his. His name was used for the religion, but his tribe does not encompass the whole religion. I think the ethiopan jews the the like tend to be considered members of "lost tribes".

 

[Newton Bohr MD]

Unfortunately not everyone feels that same way as you (including some adcomm members - remember they are human and have opinions too), and while I'm not saying its wrong to think this, its foolish to put any more risk in your medical school application when its hard enough to get in already. I would suggest sucking up your "discomfort" and putting caucasian if you look caucasian, that's all. And they don't necessarily have to ask you about it to have an opinion on it

I agree... Just check your race as white... I think that if you checked your race as other on the census and wrote in Jewish you would still be counted as white...

 

[MedvacMoney]

I thought hitler took care of that?😕

 

[DropkickMurphy]

I've been wondering about this for quite some time. I am mostly Jewish by blood and I was wondering...is this something that you can put on an application as a race? I've heard "yes, you can" from some people but I've also heard from others that it isn't regarded as an "official" race.

I think the last time it was considered an "official" race, it earned people an one-way train ticket to Poland.

 

[Cirrus83]

lol, not in the US, no.

Funny thing was that someone put in Jew as the race for something at work (you could fill in whatever-which was bad because there were some fairly creative new races filled in like "Californean"), and I was like "that's not a race" but then my supervisor pointed out that it can also be an ethnicity thing, but then I pointed out that it's not always true, plus we're in NYC so half the city is Jewish, so it'd be fairly silly if you separated them out as a separate race.

Anyways, just wish people would give up on the whole race thing anyways, but people are lame 😡

Oh well, fear not people, soon the robots will take over the world and they won't really care what race you are since they'll enslave us all. Yay!

 

[Cirrus83]

I agree... Just check your race as white... I think that if you checked your race as other on the census and wrote in Jewish you would still be counted as white...

Not neccessarily...not all Jews are white. European Jews and people descended from them are obviously going to be pretty white but that doesn't mean that all Jews are white, lol. You could even be a Chinese Jew (although, admittedly exceedingly rare).

Plus, anybody can technically convert to Judaism if they're hardcore enough, so really it's fairly pointless to use Jew as a racial classifier. It's not really a very popular thing for people to do, but people do convert every now and then.

 

[BloodySurgeon]

According to Borat, Jews have magical powers and can lay eggs or metamorphosize to roaches to enter your room at night. But also, according to borat women should be in cages and be a man's love slaves. Not everything Borat says can be true.

[Truth]: Jews don't lay eggs or go through metamorphosis.

Dunno why this thread is going on. You all are either racists, anti-semetic, or really really dumb. Personally, i'd say a combination of being dumb and bored.

 

[jbrice1639]

Being "Jewish" = Caucasian. End of story.

what the hell are you talking about? there's a whole mess of black, asian and hispanic jews that would probably like to put their foot up your ass for that comment...