10. Noah Schnapp
Although the character Will Byers who Noah Schnapp is most commonly recognized for isn't Jewish, he is. Both of Schnapp's parents have Jewish heritage and he has both Russian and Moroccan Jewish roots. About two years ago he visited Israel, returning to the place where his Bar Mitzvah service was held. Noah does not hide his Jewish identity and has openly talked about it in previous interviews.
9. Mark Zuckerberg
Due to his last name, many could assume that the face behind Facebook is Jewish. Zuckerberg grew up in a reformed Jewish community and since then has grown closer to his religion. Many don’t know that Mark had a Star Wars-themed Bar Mitzvah and also that he belonged to a Jewish fraternity. He has not hidden his Jewish identity and has shared pictures of shabbat candles and various Judaic items on social media.
8. Daniel Radcliffe
“Harry Potter is Jewish?” I found myself saying this after researching for this article. Harry Potter was not written as a Jewish character but the British actor that grew up playing that role is. His mother is an Ashkenazi Jew, passing on her heritage to him. Radcliffe has made various humorous remarks regarding his religion and many sources say he identifies as an atheist but he connects to Judaism by blood.
7. Kate Hudson
A few years ago Kate Hudson revealed in an interview her connection to Judaism. She grew up in a very Jewish household with her grandmother who celebrated shabbat every week. Kate remembers being a kid and putting napkins on her head (as a kippah). Not only does she identify as a jew, she has played many Jewish roles in movies and TV shows. Hudson is very open about sharing her thoughts on religion.
6. Zac Efron
Zac Efron has many memorable roles in movies and TV shows but did you know he has Jewish heritage? Efron has admitted to not consistently practicing Judaism but still connects with the religion and culture. He celebrated his Bar Mitzvah. His father was born and raised Jewish which was carried down to his kids. The actor does not consistently talk about his connection to Judaism but still celebrates holidays with his loved ones.
5. Bob Saget
Everyone's TV dad, Danny Tanner, or Bob Saget, spent his whole life practicing Judisim. He grew up going to Hebrew school and spending time with his bubbe. Saget loved all types of traditional Jewish foods and according to several interviews, actor and comedian Bob Saget was one of the ‘most’ Jewish people you could ever meet. His memory will live on as a devoted jew as he was proud to be Jewish.
4. Timothée Chalamet
Timothée Chalamet grew up in an interfaith household. His mother is Jewish which makes him Jewish as well. Chalamet is not very open about his Judaic practices. Although his mother and siblings have posted various pictures on social media of menorahs and many other things of that sort.
3. Simon Cowell
Simon Cowell’s father was a religious Jewish man. His mother was not Jewish but supported Simon in whatever religion he wanted to practice. Although Simon himself does not actively practice Judaism he is very proud of his heritage. He has not been spotted at any gatherings involving Judaism, but he still would consider himself Jewish.
2. Drake
Most people are unaware of Drake’s Jewish heritage. He grew up as a reform Jew and was very active in his religion. Drake had a Bar Mitzvah which he celebrated in a nice Italian restaurant with his close family and friends. He regularly posts to social media of himself and his family participating in Jewish festivities, and overall Drake has made it very clear he is very proud to be Jewish.
1. P!nk
The famous singer P!nk was born to a Jewish mother and a non-Jewish father. She considers herself to be an “Irish-German-Lithuanian-Jew”. A few years ago a video was shared to social media of her and her family chanting the Hanukkah blessings. Many different sources state that P!nk is passing down her Jewish identity to her children and that the singer has done a great job keeping her kids informed. People spotted them at a holocaust museum where P!nk was educating her children about their ancestry.
How many of these celebrities did you know were Jewish?
Julia Feldman is a BBG from the South Jersey Region, and she is a dancer and cheerleader!
All views expressed on content written for The Shofar represent the opinions and thoughts of the individual authors. The author biography represents the author at the time in which they were in BBYO.