5 Surprising Facts About Jews | Unpacked

Who are the Jewish People, really? With only 15 million Jews worldwide, opinions about them are plenty, but understanding is rare. Because beyond the stereotypes and assumptions, there’s a rich diversity within Judaism that defies simple categorization.

Here are 5 surprising facts about Jewish identity - including unique cultural practices, diversity of physical appearance, the importance of debate in shaping Jewish beliefs, and why “conversion” is less about changing beliefs and more about joining a family connected across both time and space.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:32 Global Jewish diversity
01:18 Jewish diversity in Israel
02:02 Being Jewish is an ethnic and cultural identity
02:52 Questioning and debate is central to Jewish education
04:32 Anyone can become Jewish
07:14 Hebrews = Israelites = Jews (sort of)
08:47 The Jewish People are a family

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Recommended video—Are Jews Indigenous to Israel? | Explained

Let’s connect:
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Image and footage credits:
Warner Brothers
20th century studios
Vice
National Geographic
Hot
IsraelChanel
NBC
Nissim Black
I24
Netflix
Yes TV Shows
HBO
Eden Alene
Eurovision
Sony pictures classics
British Pathe
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
United Artists
Nefesh b’Nefesh
Universal Pictures
Focus Features
Action Bronson
Paramount Pictures
Amazon
FX
Miramax
A24
Paramount Vantage
Walt Disney
Columbia Pictures
Summit Entertainment
Artisan Entertainment
Polygram Filmed Entertainment
AFP
Peacock
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Executive Producer:
— Barry Skolnick
Co-Executive Producer:
— Shmuel Katz
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Translation credits:
Portuguese: Saymon Pires

About Explainers: From ancient Jewish traditions to the modern State of Israel, we explain it all. Diving into anything and everything related to Jewish culture, history, and even religion.
Understand Jewish holidays, Israeli politics, Jewish diasporic communities, and more. Learn about Judaism in pop culture, debunking myths about Jews, and explore obscure Israeli landmarks. We’re asking questions as basic as “What is the Talmud?”, and as obscure as “How did hip-hop boost Kosher wine sales?”, and everything in between.

About Unpacked: We provide nuanced insights by unpacking all things Jewish. People are complex and complicated — yet we’re constantly being pushed to oversimplify our world. At Unpacked we know that being complex makes us more interesting. Because of this, we break the world down with nuance and insight to drive your curiosity and challenge your thinking.

#identity #culture #family

[Kalibobo-wo]

I'm from a South Pacific island country. I humbly stand with the Jewish people forever. You people are uniquely intelligent and a blessing. Shalom. This message is powerful and educational. I learnt a lot. Thank you.

[Donn]

"Our strength is not in numbers, but in our deep connection to each other."

[ashextraordinaire]

Still blows my mind that there are people who've never met a Jewish person. I've always had Jewish friends, classmates, and neighbors. I love Shabbat dinners and Purim services and every night of Chanukah. Can't imagine a life without Jewish people and culture!

[TonyEl-hayek-xr]

As a Christian Lebanese myself, unfortunately what we hear about our Jewish brothers and sisters is mainly from Islamic sources which is the opposite of what they really are...God's chosen people..God bless Jerusalem

[AmaliaCelce]

As a Jewish female (15) it is important for me to say that this man is the epitome of Judaism. His thoughts, his beliefs, and his actions. Thank you for showing the world who Jews really are ❤

[jjohnson-stoker]

I'm not Jewish, but I will stand with them and Israel forever.

[Hadassah-qz]

I am a Jew from both paternal and maternal lineage. And I am also a Taiwanese Chinese.

[sherrycohen]

Being Jewish is being part of a global support group. We do celebrate together, mourn together, pray together, and disagree together. I wouldn't want it any other way. Love your videos and IG posts.

[bbenezra]

Thank you for your video. As a Mizrachi Jew with roots in a Yemenite family, I used to feel a sense of inferiority, especially living in Western society in the United States. However, understanding and embracing who I am has given me the strength to hold on to my identity.

[saeedmozaffari]

I admire the Jewish nation and civilization from Iran.

[douwe]

I had discovered in march that I have a Jewish ethnicity ( and more of course ) so it’s kinda nice to know more about my Jewish background☝🏻

[micmars]

I was raised Roman Catholic 12 years of school, became a nondenominational bible believing Christian and left after studying the Torah to connect myself to the Jewish faith and Hashem. Rabbi Tovia Singer was a big part of my crossing over, keeping Sabbath and my Journey.

[bradleypierce]

My paternal grandmother was a Holocaust survivor. She was German Jewish, and fled Nazi Germany in 1938. Although I am a Christian, Judaism, and the Jewish people will always have a special place in my heart. ❤🇮🇱

[thinadlamini]

I'm South African and I admire Jewish people.

[BinyaminShkedi-rrbl]

I am an Orthodox jew and i admire your work keep doing what your doing♥️

[shilatzrihan]

Wow, this is the video I’ve waited for.
And as a Jew, and a Isrealy; this video is SO SO SO important these days, to show people what we REALLY are and not what what the antisemitic people are saying!!
I’m also looking here in the comments how they support Isreal, it is really warming my heart to see comments like that. It was very important for me to see these comments and this video, it is very heartwarming to see it in times like that, that we have supporters❤
Thank you for sharing this video, it made me happy!! 😄🙏🤗

[situmaderrick]

As a Christian this channel has helped learn so much about Jews. And I’ll be the first to admit that Judaism is not for every one. Nonetheless, my respect for practicing Jews has trippled.

[benschaeffer]

I've NEVER been PROUDER to be Jewish than I am RIGHT NOW.

I grew up in NYC (the LARGEST Diasporan Jewish Community outside of Israel itself) in a fairly secular (but descended from Chasidim) family.

[Gannicus-USA]

You always speak so nicely. You’re a great ambassador for our community!

[loveinaction]

I’m Canadian and respect the Jewish people and from my ancestry I have 11% Jewish in me a great grand mother many generations back from Ireland. 🇨🇦🇨🇦