mixed Jewish Heritage in the Middle East: An Insider’s Perspective from a Mizrahi Jew

In this article, we delve into the experiences of a Mizrahi Jew who is mixed with Ashkenazi and non-Jewish ancestry. Through personal insights, we explore the origins and integration of Ashkenazi Jews in the Middle East and the challenges and unity among Jewish communities.

Introduction

My maternal lineage traces back to Ashkenazi roots, while my father's heritage is rooted in Juhuri Kavkazi Jews. Following Edot HaMizrach, I believe I am well-equipped to address the question of whether Ashkenazi Jews are considered foreign to the Middle East.

I firmly believe that Ashkenazi Jews are not foreign to the region, as they are primarily of Middle Eastern origin, specifically from the Levant and modern-day Israel. The notion that they are foreign arises more from external perceptions rather than their actual historical and cultural ties.

Origins and Integration

The idea that all Jewish people since AD73 have been mixed with non-Jewish individuals is deeply ingrained. Whether by force or consensually, this mixing has occurred, and we can trace this blend of ancestries. This reality has fostered a sense of unity among Jewish communities, especially in the context of avoiding hierarchies of authenticity.

Historically, Mizrahi Jews are notorious for their mixed heritage, which includes Arab, Persian, Kurdish, Armenian, Turkish, Berber, and many other influences. Similarly, Ashkenazi Jews are also a mixed group with roots in European backgrounds, including non-white European groups and Gypsies. The idea of distinction between these groups is more of an external perception rather than a core reality.

Community Dynamics and Integration

We generally see ourselves as one unified people, with divisions existing more in the form of food practices, such as eating peanut butter during Passover, and secondary languages. Mixed marriages are not rare, reflecting the diverse cultural backgrounds within the Jewish community.

As a convert, my family chose Ashkenazi practices due to my wife and our teachers. However, we have attended both Sephardi and Mizrahi dominant synagogues and have been welcomed. My secondary language is Spanish, reflecting the diverse linguistic landscape within the Jewish community.

Challenges and Unity

The perception of Ashkenazi Jews as foreign to the Middle East is a contentious issue. It is often viewed as an external perspective rather than a reality rooted in history and cultural ties. The question of authenticity and origins is seen as a strange and somewhat divisive notion within Jewish communities.

I have encountered only one instance where an elderly man mistakenly thought I was of German origin, but I firmly believe this is more of an external observation rather than a reality. The community has largely accepted this diversity, as exemplified by a positive experience I had with an older rabbi who respected my decision and we ultimately became good friends.

Conclusion

Our Jewish communities, both within and beyond the Middle East, are deeply intertwined and diverse. The notion of Ashkenazi Jews being foreign to the region is more a matter of external perception than a reality. Mixed heritage, whether Ashkenazi or Mizrahi, is a fundamental aspect of the Jewish experience, fostering unity rather than division.