Do You Speak Jewish?

Myself and many others can attest to being asked this question at least once. But what does it really mean? Are they referring to Hebrew and just don’t know that’s what it’s called? Do they actually think there’s a language called “Jewish”? It’s a simple question, but there’s so much meaning behind it.

In my experience, I’ve never heard someone ask another person if they “speak Catholic” or any other religion. So why is it so common for Jewish people to be asked if they “speak Jewish”? Their intentions may not always be to hurt someone, but the question itself can be a form of antisemitism.

Antisemitism is a real and ongoing issue in our world today. Many teens and adults are harassed daily just because they are Jewish. It could be something small, like insulting their Star of David necklace, or something larger—like an entire group singling out Jewish individuals. So many assumptions are made when generalizing Jewish people:

• Big noses
  
  
• Rich
  
  
• Horns
  
  
• Curly brown hair
  
  
• Brown eyes
  
  

And the list of harmful stereotypes goes on.

One of the biggest assumptions I’ve encountered is that all Jewish people are Israeli or that we all speak Hebrew. While many Jews do speak Hebrew or are Israeli, not all of us fit into those categories. To me, being Jewish doesn’t mean visiting Israel all the time, speaking Hebrew at home, going to synagogue every week for Shabbat, or even wearing a Star of David necklace.

Being Jewish is about the culture, the holidays, the beliefs, the community—and so much more.

My family does not go to synagogue every Friday for Shabbat. I don’t always wear my Star of David necklace. We don’t speak Hebrew.

I am still Jewish.

So, if I’m asked that question again, my answer will be simple:

Yes, I speak Jewish—because my identity speaks louder than words.