The Differences Between Ashkenazi and Sephardi Jews

Oftentimes, Jewish people depicted in the media typically appear to be of European descent, yet most Jews don’t fit into this category. 

While the two largest groups of Jews in North America are Ashkenazi Jews from countries like Germany, France and Eastern Europe, and Sephardi Jews from Portugal and Spain, there are also Mizrahi Jews from the Middle East, Ethiopian Jews, and so many more across the globe. 

Although there are many differences between these groups such as the languages they speak, the foods they eat, or even the Jewish customs and traditions they keep, they all share the core connection of Judaism and are a part of one peoplehood. 

This video was co-produced by Z3 project and OpenDor Media.

Big Ideas

1. Ashkenazi and Sephardi Jews have a variety of both similarities and differences. 
2. Jews are a diverse people with varying customs, cultural expressions and ideologies.
3. Despite the differences amongst different Jewish communities, the Jewish people are one people.

Essential Questions

1. What does it mean to be part of one people?
2. How can we build unity between the various communities within the Jewish world?
3. How can we learn from various Jewish communities around the world and their diversity?

video Transcript