As I was browsing articles on Harry Potter, I came across an item from last year where Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter of the silver screen) reveals that he is Jewish, or at least halakhicly so.
Radcliffe tells the Australian “Today Show:”
“My mum was of Jewish blood and my dad was protestant,� he said.
He then proceeded to reveal further details of his family background. “So I grew up in a very,� and then changed track to talk about religion in general. “I’m very interested in religion as something to study. But I’m not a religious person in the slightest.� (MORE)
I then began to find a few articles from Jewish organizations about this discovery including the Chicago Federation’s tween spotlight.
Why is that we are so eager to seek out Jewish celebrities? It’s clear that Radcliffe doesn’t have a connection to Judaism, same as the majority of the people listed in any of Adam Sandler’s Hanukkah Songs. But we love the fact that they are Jewish.
Why? What does this say about Jewish identity in today’s society?
