JTA: The Global News Service of the Jewish People

• Share
• Email
• Print

Scarlett Johansson’s a Jew, too

By · March 23, 2008

Scarlett Johansson said she identifies as Jewish.

The actress said in an Israeli television interview broadcast Saturday that her mother is of Ashkenazi Jewish descent and brought her up with a basic observance of Shabbat and holidays such as Chanukah.

Johansson, 23, was speaking to Israel’s Channel 2 from the set of “The Other Boleyn Girl” along with her Israeli-born co-star Natalie Portman.

Unlike Portman, Johansson does not speak Hebrew and claims to know only a smattering of Yiddish.

According to Channel 2, Johansson’s father is of Danish descent and is not Jewish.

Click to login and write a letter to the editor or sign up for the Daily Briefing.

This article was made possible by the support of readers like you. Donate to JTA now.

Featured Content