Members of Whose Tribe?

The 'Code Switch' episode 'Members of Whose Tribe?' delves into the complexities of Jewish identity in America, particularly in the context of race and ethnicity. Hosts Gene Demby and Shereen Marisol Meraji explore the multifaceted nature of Jewishness, which encompasses religion, race, culture, and ethnicity, making it difficult to categorize. The episode opens with an acknowledgment of the anti-Semitism present at the right-wing rally in Charlottesville, which leads to a broader discussion about how Jews fit into America's racial landscape.

The narrative unfolds with Leah Donnella, the episode's guest and Code Switch's 'resident Jew,' sharing her personal experiences as a racially black and religiously Jewish individual. She confronts the common misconception of being 'half-Jewish,' which is often tied to the idea of Jewishness as a racial or ethnic marker, particularly as a subset of whiteness. The episode challenges the notion that Jewish identity can be neatly divided into percentages, as suggested by popular DNA tests.

Experts in the episode discuss the historical context of Jewish identity, which has been shaped by both internal self-perception and external categorization, often by non-Jews. The term 'Jew' itself has a complex history, originating in early Christian writings to delineate the 'other.' This external imposition of identity has long-lasting repercussions, influencing how Jews have been treated and perceived throughout history, from ancient times to the rise of race science in Nazi Germany.

The episode also covers the gradual assimilation of Jews into whiteness in America, particularly after World War II, when anti-Semitism became socially unacceptable. However, this assimilation into whiteness has been accompanied by a struggle with the privileges and prejudices that come with being seen as white. The episode concludes with a discussion on the recent spike in anti-Semitic incidents in the U.S., which has prompted American Jews to grapple with their identity in new ways.