Jew

A Jew is a person who identifies with the Jewish people or who follows Judaism, or both. Jewish identity can be religious, ethnic, cultural, or a combination. People may be considered Jewish by birth, through descent from Jewish communities, or through conversion to Judaism.

The term "Jew" derives from Latin Iudaeus, via Greek Ioudaios, ultimately linked to the ancient tribe of Judah. Historically, it referred to inhabitants of the Kingdom of Judah and, later, to all Israelites in the diaspora. Judaism is the monotheistic religion of most Jews, rooted in the covenant between the God of Israel and the people as described in the Torah.

Jewish life encompasses a range of practices and denominations, including Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and secular or cultural Judaism. There are Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Mizrahi, and other Jewish communities, each with distinct languages and customs such as Hebrew, Yiddish, and Ladino.

Historically, Jews originated in the ancient Near East, formed the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, and developed a diasporic presence after successive conquests. The 20th century saw the Holocaust, a genocide targeting Jews. In 1948, the State of Israel was established as a Jewish-majority country. Today, about 14 to 15 million Jews live worldwide, with large communities in Israel and the United States.

Jewish culture includes religious holidays such as Passover and Hanukkah, life-cycle events such as circumcision and bar/bat mitzvah, and a long tradition of scholarship in theology, philosophy, and the arts. Antisemitism has affected Jewish communities at various times and continues to be addressed through education and policy.