Covering Judaism: A Guide for Journalists

Getting It Right

Judaism is one of the most covered — and most frequently misrepresented — religions in media. Journalists covering Jewish communities, holidays, Israel, antisemitism, or Jewish public figures regularly stumble over terminology, make false assumptions about uniformity, or apply frameworks from Christian contexts that do not fit.

This guide provides practical reference material for journalists who want to cover Judaism accurately and fairly.

Terminology: Words That Matter

Basic Terms

• Jewish (adjective/noun): The correct term for a person of Jewish faith or heritage. “Jew” (noun) is acceptable and not inherently offensive, but context matters — it should be used as a descriptor, not a pejorative.
• Judaism: The religion and civilization of the Jewish people.
• Synagogue: The Jewish house of worship. Also called shul (Yiddish, used in Orthodox and traditional communities) or temple (used in Reform communities). “Church” is never appropriate.
• Rabbi: A Jewish religious leader and teacher. Not equivalent to a priest — rabbis are scholars and community leaders who may marry, have no sacramental role, and derive authority from learning rather than ordination by a hierarchy.
• Torah: The Five Books of Moses; more broadly, all of Jewish religious teaching. Not interchangeable with “the Bible” — Jews refer to the Hebrew Bible as the Tanakh, which includes Torah (Five Books), Nevi’im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings).

Common Errors

• “Old Testament”: This is a Christian term. Jews call it the Tanakh or the Hebrew Bible. Using “Old Testament” implies it has been superseded by a “New Testament,” which is a Christian theological position, not a neutral description.
• “Judeo-Christian”: This term, while common, is contested. Many Jewish scholars consider it misleading, as it obscures significant differences between Judaism and Christianity and implies a shared tradition that is more complex than the phrase suggests.
• “Orthodox Jews believe…”: Do not treat any single denomination as representative of all Jews. Specify which community you are describing.
• “The Jews”: Avoid using the definite article in ways that suggest monolithic belief or action. Jews are a diverse group with widely varying views. “Jewish leaders said…” or “Some Jewish organizations argued…” is more accurate than “The Jews believe…”

Antisemitism

• Spell it antisemitism (one word, no hyphen, lowercase ‘s’). The hyphenated “anti-Semitism” is increasingly discouraged because it implies the existence of “Semitism” as a concept, which was invented by antisemites to give their prejudice a pseudo-scientific veneer.
• Antisemitism is hatred of or prejudice against Jews as a group. It is not criticism of Israeli government policy (though the two can overlap in ways that require careful journalistic judgment).

Jewish Denominations

Jews are not monolithic. The major denominations in the United States include:

• Orthodox: Strictly observant of traditional Jewish law (halakha). Includes Modern Orthodox, Haredi (ultra-Orthodox), and Hasidic communities.
• Conservative: Observes halakha but allows for historical evolution and change. Egalitarian (men and women participate equally in most rituals).
• Reform: Emphasizes ethics, personal autonomy, and social justice. Less bound by traditional halakha. The largest U.S. denomination by affiliation.
• Reconstructionist: Views Judaism as an evolving civilization. Small but influential.
• Unaffiliated / “Just Jewish”: A growing number of Jews do not identify with any denomination but maintain Jewish identity through cultural practices, family connections, or selective religious observance.

When covering a story about Jewish practice or belief, specify which community or denomination you are discussing.

The Jewish Calendar

Jewish holidays follow a lunar-solar calendar. Dates shift annually on the Gregorian calendar. Key points for journalists:

• Holidays begin at sunset the evening before the listed date (e.g., Yom Kippur listed as October 5 begins at sunset on October 4).
• The most significant holidays are Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), which fall in September or October.
• Passover (March-April) and Chanukah (November-December) are the holidays most familiar to non-Jewish audiences but are not the “most important” — that distinction belongs to Shabbat (weekly) and the High Holidays.

Covering Antisemitism

Red Flags for Antisemitic Tropes

Journalists should recognize (and avoid inadvertently amplifying) classic antisemitic tropes:

• Control conspiracies: Claims that Jews control banks, media, or governments
• Dual loyalty: Suggestions that Jewish citizens are more loyal to Israel than their home country
• Blood libel: False accusations that Jews use the blood of children in rituals
• Collective blame: Holding all Jews responsible for the actions of Israel, or any individual Jew responsible for the actions of other Jews
• Holocaust denial or minimization

When reporting on antisemitic incidents, describe the incident clearly, provide context, and consult with experts (ADL, AJC, or local Jewish organizations).

Covering Israel

Reporting on Israel involves some specific considerations:

• Israel and the Jewish people are not synonymous: Not all Jews support Israeli government policies. Not all Israelis are Jewish (roughly 20% of Israeli citizens are Arab).
• Zionism: The national movement for Jewish self-determination in the Land of Israel. It encompasses a range of political views, from far right to far left. Treating Zionism as a monolith is inaccurate.
• Terminology: “Occupied territories” vs. “disputed territories” vs. “Judea and Samaria” — word choices carry political implications. Be aware of the implications of the terms you use, and consider using multiple terms or explaining the debate.

Practical Tips

• Build sources: Develop relationships with rabbis, Jewish community leaders, and scholars across denominations. No single source can speak for all Jews.
• Verify transliterations: Hebrew and Yiddish words have multiple English spellings. Confirm the preferred spelling with your source (e.g., Chanukah vs. Hanukkah, Shabbat vs. Shabbos).
• Ask before assuming: If unsure about a practice, belief, or term, ask a knowledgeable source rather than guessing. Jews appreciate journalists who make the effort to get it right.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I capitalize “rabbi”? Capitalize when used as a title before a name (Rabbi Sarah Cohen). Lowercase when used generically (the rabbi of the congregation). Follow AP style.

Is it offensive to say “Jew” as a noun? Not inherently. “She is a Jew” is factual and neutral. However, context and tone matter — the word has been used as a slur, so be attentive to context. “Jewish person” is a safe alternative if you are uncertain.

How do I handle stories where Jewish community members disagree with each other? Represent the range of views. Judaism has a long tradition of legitimate disagreement (machloket). Quote multiple perspectives. Avoid presenting any one view as the definitive “Jewish position.”