Turnbull, I dont think you are 100% correct. I don't believe "Jewish" is technically a "religion". I am under the impression that "Jewish" is a culture based on Judaism. I know this might sound like splitting hairs, but I think the name of the religion is Judaism. Of course within Judaism, I believe you have different sects, such as reformed, conservative, orthodox. Not being Jewish, I am not 100% sure if I am correct. Maybe one of our Jewish friends can set the record straight.

Now I'm confused!! I too, always thought Jewish was a culture or ethnicity. I know of course anyone can choose to be of Jewish faith, but then of course there is Jewish food, which indicates it's an ethnicity/culture .

I guess it seems funny that we refer to someone as Jewish, like James Caan, and don't refer for instance to Mel Gibson as "he's Catholic". Also how come then some can tell by last names if it is Jewish, just as we know many Italian, Irish or many other ethnic sounding names? Boy, I feel pretty dumb for not knowing!

TIS

Johnny and TIS: Judaism is a religion, and a practitioner is Jewish, just as Catholicism is a religion and a practitioner is Catholic. What you might see in America as "Jewish culture" or "Jewish food" is associated with Jews of Eastern European extraction. But they are far from the only ethnic group who are Jewish.

Here's an analogy: much of what non-Catholic people in America popularly associate with "Catholic" or "Catholic culture" is associated with Irish Catholics, mainly because the Irish were the first large Catholic immigrant group in America. The St. Patrick's Day parade, eating cod and boiled potatoes, being involved in local politics, going to Catholic schools--these are things that many people think of as "Catholic" when in fact the impression was mostly made by Irish Catholics (not Italian and Polish Catholics, who are much more numerous). When people think of Islam, they thing of Arabs and their culture and background: desert, camels, tents, checked headdresses for men, etc. In fact, there are far more ethnic Asian and Pacific Islanders who are Muslims than Arabs. Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world, followed by Pakistan. Neither is an Arab country.

TB,

I think I understand, and I know this is off the plane ticket topic, but this is really "new" to me.

So in other words, when I was walking in NYC last September and went by an area with many synogogues, and many men wearing the yarmulkes (? thought it was "Yamika", but looked it up) those people are not necessarily of Arab descent, but could be of several different ethnicties, that happen to be of Jewish faith? And many of the foods I might know as "Jewish" food is not necessarily Arabic food but could be of any of those groups you mentioned that have a Jewish faith community? Just to straighten this out in my head. Don't know any Jewish people in my area of California.

TIS

I'm replying by PM because we're cluttering up this topic.
Never thought something as simple as Carlo's plane ticket would generate so many (and so varied) responses.

Not necessarily oh great one. The yarmulke is sometimes referred to as a "skull cap". If you seen a man wearing a red one, he could be a Catholic Cardinal, and if you see a man wearing a white skull cap, well lo and behold you have seen the Pope.

Turnbull, you have shown another side of your knowledge. Besides the GF films, mob lore, and antique automobiles, you are also a scholar of religions of the world.

You are 100% correct in stating that Catholicism in this country, is based largely on Irish Catholic culture. In fact its due to this fact, that "Catholics can't sing" True! I read a book a few years ago, called "Why Catholics cant sing". Because Irish Catholics were greatly persecuted in Ireland, their Masses were very quiet, so they wouldn't be caught. This is in contrast to say Italian and German Masses, where there was much singing.

I might also add that a person that practices Catholicism besides being a Catholic, is also a Christian, something that Catholics don't also say, mainly because I guess they don't want to be lumped in with other Christian religions.

Wow look how far off topic weve gone!I'm going to send a PM if I have any other questions, which I do.