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"Is this all real? Or has this been happening inside my head?"
The topic of this article is of a real-life subject that has been mentioned "in-universe" in a canon source. The Harry Potter Wiki is written from the perspective that all information presented in canon is true (e.g., Hogwarts really existed), and, as such, details contained in this article may differ from real world facts. |
Anthony Goldstein, a Jewish wizard
Judaism is the religion, philosophy, and way of life of the Jewish people. It is one of the oldest monotheistic religions, teaching the belief in one God, and strongly influenced the development of later Abrahamic faiths, including Christianity and Islam. The Torah is its foundational text and it encompasses the religion, philosophy, and culture of the Jewish people.[1]
History[]
A sign advertising a Hebrew bookshop in New York in 1926, illustrating the city's Jewish population
During Biblical times, the Israelites, an ancient Semitic people who preceded modern Jews, went to war against the Philistines. The Philistines hired a giant mercenary, Goliath, to fight for them, but he was ultimately slain by a young boy.[2]
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry taught students from multiple faiths.[3] This included Jewish witches and wizards, such as Anthony Goldstein, who was neither the first nor the only Jewish student in the school's history.[4][5] Abraham Ronen, Professor of Charms at Hogwarts, was probably Jewish because of his Jewish first and last name.
A sign in New York in 1932 that read in Hebrew: Jewish and American symbols and buttons
Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry also taught students from multiple faiths, including possibly Jewish witches and wizards, such as probably Porpentina and Queenie Goldstein, distant relatives of Anthony Goldstein. There were likely more Jewish students at Ilvermony than at Hogwarts, due to the larger Jewish population in America, New York specifically. In 1926, New York had at least one shop with a sign written in Hebrew and a bookshop specialising in Hebrew books, both of which presumably served the city's Jewish community.[6]
Behind the scenes[]
- Daniel Radcliffe, who is of Jewish descent, has stated "I am an atheist, but I am very proud to be a Jew. It means I have a good work ethic, and you get Jewish humour and you are allowed to tell Jewish jokes. For example: Have you heard how copper wire was invented? Two Jews are fighting for a penny. And so on."[citation needed]
- There are several Hebrew and Jewish names (or derived from the Hebrew name) in the Harry Potter universe such as: Hannah Abbott, Hepzibah Smith, Zacharias Smith, Jacob Kowalski, Amos Diggory, Michael Corner, James Potter, Molly Weasley, Abraham Potter, Jakub Gorski, etc.
Appearances[]
Goliath, an enemy of the people of Israel
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game) (Indirectly mentioned only)
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game) (Indirectly mentioned only)
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game) (Indirectly mentioned only)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Indirectly mentioned only)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game) (Indirectly mentioned only)
- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (film) (Indirectly mentioned only)
- J. K. Rowling's Twitter account (Mentioned only)
Notes and references[]
- ↑
Judaism on Wikipedia
- ↑ Famous Wizard Card (Goliath)
- ↑ "‘Harry Potter’ Author J.K. Rowling Opens Up About Books’ Christian Imagery" from MTV.com
- ↑
J.K. Rowling on Twitter: "OK, let me clarify that! Anthony isn't the first Jewish student, nor is he the only one. I just have reasons for knowing most about him!"
- ↑ J.K. Rowling on Twitter: ".@benjaminroffman Anthony Goldstein, Ravenclaw, Jewish wizard."
- ↑ Pottermore - Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Behind the Scenes Feature (see this image and this image)
