The Unbearable Heaviness of Jewish Self-Hatred

Publication Date: July 2009

Publisher: National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership (U.S.)

Author(s): Walter Ruby

Research Area: Culture and religion

Keywords: Jewish Identification; Media; Identity Formation

Type: Brief

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

After finding out that Joey Ramone's real name was Joey Hyman, who was indeed a Jew who grew up in Forest Hills, New York, the author analyzes why the punk rocker, along with a myriad of other Jewish celebrities, changed his last name for something a little less Jewish. The author discusses that it may be a result of Jewish self-hatred, and analyzes why this self-hatred exists, and how to remedy it.