Are Jews Rich?

Antisemitic tropes about Jewish wealth have been around for centuries. While there are some truly wild conspiracy theories out there, this does beg the question: Are Jews rich?

While not ALL Jews are rich, Jewish people are statistically overrepresented among the wealthy.  This may be due to the overall Jewish value of education and a tendency to gravitate towards more urban environments which offer greater opportunities for economic advancement.

Historically, Jews have experienced periods of great economic instability. However, these challenges have fostered a culture of resilience and entrepreneurial perseverance that remains evident today.

Big Ideas

1. The line between antisemitism and philosemitism is sometimes unclear.
2. The material success of some Jews is explained by historical and cultural circumstances. 
3. Judaism values wisdom, community, and tradition over material success. 

Essential Questions

1. Is it antisemitic to ask: Are Jews rich?
2. How does understanding Jewish history enable us to better understand contemporary Jewish society?
3. Does society place too much emphasis on material wealth? Are there other values which are more important?

video Transcript