I'm jewish, what to do when people joke about my religion?

I am jewish and I feel helpless when I here people makin jokes on jewish people. if I confront them im afraid they will hurt me. what do I do? what do I say? Do I leave them alone?

b1ff - I agree with you, to a point. 'jokes' directed at jews, african americans, homosexuals, muslims etc. are very different than jokes about short/tall people, smart/dumb people, etc...
jokes about jews, african americans, homosexuals, muslims etc. have the added baggage of hate crimes associated with them.
I can't remember a time in history where the tall or short people were rounded up, imprisoned and killed. where their children were made into soap, where their skin was made into lampshades.
as an older jew, first generation post-holocaust, there is not much funny about jewish jokes. my grandparents were imprisoned and tortured until they were gassed to death. you need to remember that the holocaust happened less than 65 years ago. it is still very fresh and real to us.

we try to 'laugh off' the joke but we always remember that behind each joke is a little truth.
and we will always remember that it was an easy thing to round us up, and kill us.

so, when I hear a jewish joke, made by a non-jew, I might try to laugh or ignore it, but deep down, I remember my grandparents and it doesn't seem so funny...
and depending on who is telling the joke, or saying something hateful, sometimes it is a little bit scary.

Some people are just plain ignorant, and mean. Many people experience pain, from others, however, this does not make it right. Sometimes confrontation works... other times, a soft answer.. turns away wrath... I am sorry for your pain... and I wish you the very best...

I guess that you should be strong in your beliefs, if it is just simply a quick snide remark- I would ignore it. but if they become persistant in their efforts to truly degrade you- I would confront them with as much ferocity as I could muster, and show them the error of their ways.

If you don't want to say something, then don't, but don't let whatever they say upset you, they're just being stupid and ignorant.

I have a similar problem as an atheist. People who don't know I'm an atheist will often say ugly things or send ugly emails saying how evil we atheists are or how we hate America. I simply reply by saying, 'I'm an atheist. Do you think I'm like that?'

This usually makes them feel guilty and realize that they are spreading lies and hurting people. Every time I have gently confronted them like this, they have stopped.

Good luck!

I was raised in the jewish faith but I no longer attend temple except for the high holy days. my son is jewish and was on this site. he left and has never returned because of some of the comments.
I am sorry you have experienced this. people can be cruel. I would be happy to receive a funmail from you and we can discuss this more.

I hate to sound so harsh, but get over it. People tell jokes, they make comments, that's all they are, jokes and comments. Why would you take them to heart when the person saying them doesn't, it just shows weak charecter.

Everyone in the world is mocked about something; tall people, short people, fat people, skinny people, blonds, red heads, red necks, smart people, dumb people, whites blacks and everything inbetween.

It is nothing but a joke until you are offended by it, therefore it is you making the insult.

I think you should tell those who are mocking the Jewish faith in front of you that you are Jewish. I would think that they would be embarrassed by their own words. If you do in fact feel threatened of bodily harm perhaps you are surrounding yourself with people who you should be avoiding.. I also think that sometimes we have to 'let it go' or learn to accept that sometimes, it's just not worth it. Stay Strong, be proud of your faith and culture and try to ignore a lot of the nonsense.

some people just speak without thinking let them know it bothers you and then leave it up to them to change, just don't let it change you or cause you to hide as if you are afraid. People who talk like that are usually having problems with their own identity and so they have to bring others down to make themselves feel on the same level. it is sometimes never solved for them. I admire your question it opens our eyes to be careful what we say.

my primary photo is not so funny...

the caption is -
Circa 1935: two Jewish pupils are humiliated before their classmates. The inscription on the blackboard reads 'The Jew is our greatest enemy, beware of the Jew'.

If the people who are teasing you are christian?

You worship Jesus right?

He was a Jew you know!

Roses are red.
Violets are blue-ish
But for the Resurection
We'd all be jewish.

Shalom

jews don't worship jesus.

sorry, sorry..
I think that I read you answer wrong. those are questions to ask the gentiles..
I get it.

I think it depends on the joke. Some ethnic jokes are harmless, some are just disgusting hate speach. I am Irish, and would never be offended with a joke like: What is an Irish seven course meal? A six pack and a potato. Its funny and harmless.

But I have heard some really disgusting eithnic jokes that only truly racist people would think were funny. People who tell those kind of jokes should be called on it every time. I know I do.

every time you hear some one joke about your religion tell them that you are jewish ,they will feel bad and just be sure inside that your religion is great whatever it is ,people all the time make jokes about jewish and muslims and thats for sure disrespectful, and that doesn't mean that your religion isn't good but it means that those people are not well educated cause every religion is great in its own way, iam a muslim and every time some one make ajoke about my religion I feel pity on him that he know nothing and that he is such insensitive person to direspect aholy thing like religion, chin up you are worth respect and be proud of what you are,good luck.

Buddhist saying:

'If one does not accept the gift, who owns the gift?'.

If ya can't Beat 'em... Join 'em !!

As a Proud JAP (Jewish American Princess)... 'Trust Me'... it's the best way to diffuse the situation. I was bartending in Florida (the 2nd 'homeland' of My Peeps). Oy... at the snowbirds who think they are so clever !! HA !! It never failed that someone would have to TRY to 'get' me with one of their 'tired old JAP-jokes'. I got a book called, '101 Tasteless JAP Jokes'... memorized the book !! (really stupid jokes...easy to learn) When some Ya-ho would say'How can you tell when a JAP has had an org**m??'... I would smile and say... 'I usually drop my nail file'. I ruined their punchline... and took the wind out of their sails !! They sit there looking dumbfounded.

Humor works so much better than fighting, or allowing yourself to become about it. Don't take things so seriously. Lighten up... learn jokes about other religions, ethnic groups, etc... and when someone starts on you... let the good times roll !!