Comments on: Why Do We Associate Jews With Money?

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 22:49:40 +0000

Just to add to the tech side, ask any VC where most of the tech innovation is coming from, and they will tell you Israel. The low powered intel chip in your laptop was designed and created there….

By: a.b. @ Modern Tightwad

a.b. @ Modern Tightwad — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 04:45:35 +0000

Even within the Jewish community there are big differences as well. My family was San Francisco Jewish, which was very different from New York Jewish, and my father grew up sort of Catholic in Crown Heights, which was Hasidic at the time. There’s also Orthodox, and now Jews for Jesus, each having different levels of adherence to tradition, but viewed with the same stereotypes.

Jewish grandmothers are the original social networking group. If your grandma finds out something, it goes through the community quicker than a facebook post, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

I really appreciated this article; not many people know about the history of Jews and Christians, and interest. A great example in how the Jews were viewed historically is Shakespeare’s “Merchant of Venice” with the Jewish moneylender “Shylock.” If you haven’t read it through, I think you’ll find it very interesting, particularly in the context of the post.
a.b. @ Modern Tightwad´s last blog ..Unemployment Ambivalence

By: My Journey

My Journey — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:30:18 +0000

I live in the Jewish capital of probably the world…long island (about 35 mins outside of NYC and NJ), I have always wondered where the basis of the sterotype came from. Great explanation
My Journey´s last blog ..VH1 Has Let me Down – Megan wants a Millionaire Pisses me Off

By: Ari

Ari — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:00:35 +0000

I have always wondered about this same question.

Thanks Weakonomist…and all subsequent commenters…for such a solid and enlightened argument kicking a centuries old stereotype down the road.

By: Sudeep

Sudeep — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:19:14 +0000

Hey ,
Interesting point of argument … I dropped by your comment on Zen Habit …
One thing that is very common in India is family business .. if your dad is a doctor the son is too .. if the dad is carpenter , the son learns too .. it was like that .. Why .. simple if I can get my dad’s cardiac issues in inheritance too as genetic imbalance .. then why could not I get his skills too ..
So yes with Jews they are all in money , which they are good in , and they know that .. Then what’s wrong in handling money with them..
Rather I would be a little skeptical if I do not deal in respect to money with some one else .. prefer a Jew there only ..
My thoughts ….
Sudeep´s last blog ..Some more thoughts on 8 Limbs of Yoga !!

By: Anna Jane

Anna Jane — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:30:12 +0000

An interesting topic to raise. During my years of growing up I’ve always heard that jews were “tight” with their money, never really believing the generalisation until I dealt with a large number of New York flights whilst working at the airport. When it came to overweight baggage, I always noted that Jews would never ever part with their money, insisting on removing baggage items instead.

In a way, I admire the jews for exerting such strict control over their finances. I for one have a tendancy to be really clumsy with money, so I often find them quite inspiring in a financial way!

By: Whitney Segura

Whitney Segura — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 05:32:31 +0000

Great topic and debate to base an article upon! I have always heard the stereotype my entire life, but I never really sat back and wondered why the whole stereotype of the Jewish people being greedy existed. I always thought that it had something to do with how the Jewish were portrayed in the Bible and the years surrounding Jesus’ life. I mean there was nothing but slavery back then and one of Jesus’ best friends gave him up to die on a cross for a few gold coins, that is pretty savage if you ask me. Excellent article, you have changed my view of Jewish people all together and I thank you for that!

By: Dave C.

Dave C. — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 17:07:32 +0000

Another good example of a prominent Jewish person in command of vast financial resources is Lloyd Blankfein, the current CEO of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

As far as the Jewish legacy of controlling money throughout history, I imagine it is probably a result of the close ties Jewish people share with each other. The history of persecution probably created a strong bond between the members of their population, and that bond undoubtedly lead to networks for profitable endeavors.
Dave C.´s last blog ..Mark Twain, And The Contrarian Attitude

By: MoneyEnergy

MoneyEnergy — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:52:50 +0000

Interestingly, I never grew up hearing or knowing about any so-called stereotype about Jews controlling money. Never knew any basis for it and it has always sounded strange that so many people would cling to or perpetuate such an idea. I also think stereotypes stick around because they provide heuristics for thinking – easy ways of dealing with large groups and complex problems. No need to think through current realities and relationships, just call up that label and be relieved of the responsibility! Thanks for a post that makes a bit of a wedge into this lazy tendency.
MoneyEnergy´s last blog ..When To Buy US Dollars and How to Take Advantage of the Canadian-USD Exchange Rate

By: JoeTaxpayer

JoeTaxpayer — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:34:54 +0000

You raise an interesting history.
It might be an interesting exercise to look at the average education level attained by by the typical Jew (which is no more pejorative than Christian or Muslim). You’ll likely find in a large enough sample population size that there will be a higher percent of Jewish doctors and Lawyers as well. This is consistent with their focus on education.

(FWIW – Madoff ripped off his fellow Jews as well as non-Jews. He is a disgrace to not just his own religion but to humankind.)
JoeTaxpayer´s last blog ..Your FICO score