2005 Articles

The Nature of Being Ashkenazic

Pollack, Robert

In "The Nature of Being Ashkenazic," Robert Pollack explores the concept of Jewish identity, particularly within the Ashkenazic community, and the implications of recent genetic studies that suggest a link between Ashkenazic heritage and higher intelligence. Pollack critiques the notion that Jewish identity can be determined biologically, arguing that Judaism is not inherited through DNA but through cultural, religious, and historical traditions. He warns against the oversimplification of complex identities and emphasizes the importance of maintaining a broad and inclusive definition of what it means to be Jewish.