Chronicle poll results: Categorizing Judaism
We asked our readers how they would primarily categorize Judaism. Here's what they said.
Last week, the Chronicle asked its readers in an online poll the following question: “How would you primarily categorize Judaism?” Of the 254 people who responded, 46% said, “a religion”; 34% said, “a people”; 11% said, “an ethnicity”; and 9% said, “a civilization.” Comments were submitted by 73 people. A few follow.
We are a people with a civilization, an ethnicity and a religion. To call Judaism “a religion” is to buy into others’ attempts to reduce us and make us more malleable.
It’s easy to say “ethnoreligion,” but the truth is, it’s a family. Most are born into it, some join through other means. It comes with practices and customs, and even if you’re thousands of miles away from home, there is a kinship with those you meet.
It is a religion which is defined by social justice, lifelong learning, and the directive to help repair the world — and my goodness, does the world of 2026 need repair!
We are a people with a shared ancestry and system of beliefs.
It is all of the above and no one thing primarily. That is what is so difficult.
Per Dara Horn: Judaism predates the idea of religion or ethnicity. We are a people — Am Yisrael.
It’s impossible to categorize Judaism. It’s really all of the above, and then some. Maybe a “tribe” would work.
Judaism is not just a religion; it is so much more. And you can’t say ethnicity, because there are Jews from all over the world with different customs and favorite foods. Civilization, if you look up the definition, doesn’t work either. That’s why I said “a people.”
Judaism is a religion. We Jews are a people.
Judaism is a complex set of communal and individual constructs that defines and supports a civilization that exists alongside with, and to some extent, influences other civilizations.
Mostly a religion, plus ethnicity, plus civilization.
It’s very difficult to categorize. We Jews are a people, a culture, and a religion all rolled into one. I don’t think you can separate one from the other. PJC
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