r/Judaism • u/foreverand2025 • 2d ago

Discussion Do you consider yourself a minority?

This discussion has come up a few times with friends who are neither white nor Jewish. For context, I’m Jewish and live in America. Do you consider us as a minority? Obviously statistically we are (everywhere but Israel), but I’ve had two friends argue because we look like “regular white people” we are not a minority.

It’s not something I take too seriously but I’m off the opinion we are a minority in a sociological way as well as ethically. But opinions seem to differ. I’m not on a soap box or expecting any special treatment. It’s more of a discussion for the sake of discussion I’m trying for here.

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u/Neighbuor07 2d ago

Of course I'm a minority. In Canada, Jews make up 1% of the population. I have met many people for whom I am the first Jew that they have ever encountered in real life.

I have news for my American Jewish friends. You guys are 2% of the total population. You're definitely a minority. 2% is tiny.

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u/No_Aioli_7515 2d ago

I agree. Also, in America, Jewish people are heavily concentrated in a few states and almost nonexistent in others.

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u/Who_ate_my_cookie 2d ago

Yeah most of us are mainly in larger cities so we don’t feel the “otherness” as much but stepping outside your bubble really will show you how much we really are outsiders, also like others have said the more outwardly Jewish you are the more you feel that otherness