Posted by: Riikka

23 Mar 2008

(3 Comments)

Many have expressed interested in learning more about Scarlett’s Jewish background and whether or not she identifies herself as Jewish. Here’s a new article courtesy of JTA, that will perhaps answer to some questions.

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.

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