18 Jewish Celebrities You Might Not Know Are Members Of The Tribe – Women’s Health

Posted By on September 2, 2021

Christine Giordano

Just like everyone else in the world, celebrities come from a breadth of different backgrounds. And while you might think you're privy to the in's and out's of their very public lives, there's still a lot you probably don't knowincluding their faiths and the way religion may (or may not) impact them.

Some celebrities readily share what it was like growing up with certain religious or cultural influences, while others tend to be more private about those details (and understandably so!). For example, comedic writer and actor Seth Rogen openly explores his relationship with Judaism (among other things) in his memoir, Yearbook. However, you might not know that other stars, such as Daniel Radcliffe, come from a Jewish background as well. And some artists, including Ilana Glazer from Broad City, for example, put their Jewish upbringings at the forefront of their art. Like most things, the way religion fits into someone's life isn't one-size fits all.

Whether you're just curious about the personal history of celebrities, or if you're Jewish yourself and want to know which stars are also members of the tribe, check out these list of 18 Jewish celebs who have have spoken about their relationship with the culture and religion. From Maya Rudolph and P!nk to Mila Kunis and Dan Levy (just to name a few Jews!), you'll discover some big names with big accomplishments who serve as reminders to why representation is still so important.

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1Ilana Glazer

If you've ever watched her hit show Broad City, you'll know that Ilana Glazer has been making art about her Jewish identity for yearsand it was deeply appreciated by fans of the show.

2Sarah Silverman

Comedian and actor Sarah Silverman has been super open about being a Jewish actor in Hollywood. "The parts I get to play, you're either a sassy friend of the main character who's just in charge of expositionor you're that guy's sleazy book agent, or scumbag executive," she said in an interview on the Howard Stern show, about her frustrations with being typecast.

4Seth Rogen

"Being Jewish is complicated," Seth Rogen said in an interview with Marc Maron. "And being a famous Jewish person is, in some ways, a little bit more complicated," he noted, stating it can sometimes be tough to balance preserving Jewish history, culture, and values while "keeping an eye toward" the progressive causes he's passionate about.

5Rashida Jones

Yes, Rashida Jones also has roots in the Jewish community. "I am a product of slaves," she told Net-a-Porter in 2018. "I am also a product of Jewish immigrants and Holocaust survivors. I have a responsibility to represent those things. The possibility of me being alive is so slim," the actress said.

6Mila Kunis

In 2018, actress Mila Kunis, who has a Jewish family background, spoke with Dax Shepard about how she and husband Ashton Kutcher observe Shabbat in their own way with their kids. On Friday nights, their family rule is that they all eat dinner together: "We're all just going to talk," she said. "We're going to talk about the week... We're going to reconnect."

7Barbra Streisand

Singer and actress Barbra Streisand has always been open about the way her Jewish background influenced her life. "I was raised in a religious home," she told Refinery29 in 2019. "The Sabbath was always honored, candles were lit. My grandfather went to synagogue every Saturday and he would take me along."

9Beanie Feldstein

Actress Beanie Feldstein and her brother, Jonah Hill, were raised Jewish. She was recently cast to play the lead in Funny Girl on Broadway, a show about Jewish actress and comedian Fanny Brice, which is a dream come true. Beanie's been emulating Barbra Streisand (who played Fanny on Broadway and in the film adaptation) since youth, per this Instagram post.

10Jack Black

Jack Black was raised Jewish and attended Hebrew school throughout his childhood. "I had my bar mitzvah, and then I immediately bailed on the whole enterprise," he said in 2018 while being interviewed on the H3 Podcast. He noted that while he no longer practices the religion, he still remembers some of the Hebrew he learned in school.

11Adam Sandler

Comedian and actor Adam Sandler has been super open about his Jewish upbringing and faith over the years, and being Jewish has played a part in many of his iconic roles. It's even influenced his music careerwho could forget his iconic Hanukkah song, "Eight Crazy Nights"?

His wife, Jacqueline Samantha Titone, even converted to Judaism before the two married in 2003.

12Daniel Radcliffe

Though he currently identifies as atheist, Daniel Radcliffe's family has a Jewish background. "There was never [religious] faith in the house," Daniel told Parade in 2012. "I think of myself as being Jewish and Irish, despite the fact that Im English."

13Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman was born in Israel, and she's spoken openly about her faith, culture, and what it means for her to be Jewish today. "My great-grandparents were killed in the camps, and my grandfathers younger brother was shot in Poland during the war," she told Harper's Bazaar UK in 2019, speaking on the importance of her family's history.

14Dan Levy

Because of his interfaith family (his mom is Protestant and his father is Jewish), Dan Levy has said before that he practices both religions. His show, Schitt's Creek, also pays homage to interfaith families on multiple occasions.

15Troye Sivan

Troye Sivan grew up in a conservative Orthodox Jewish community in Australia, and he still values the role religion plays in his life today.

"To be completely honest, I could do without saying the prayers and whatever, but getting the family together and not turning on our phones for a Friday night, connecting, is something I really cherish," he told Vice in 2016.

17Jeff Goldblum

Yes, Jeff Goldblum has a Jewish background, though he's said in a PBS interview that while he enjoyed studying the Torah (which inspired him to become an actor), he encountered a bunch of bullies while attending Hebrew school. (Don't worry, though, his mom taught him how to fight them off.)

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18 Jewish Celebrities You Might Not Know Are Members Of The Tribe - Women's Health

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