"Jews are good at making money"
"Jews are good at studying"
"Jews dominate the world (?)"

These are phrases you might have heard at least once. Whether true or exaggerated, it is a fact that Jews in America feel like a special group.

I am an ordinary foreigner living in America, but every time I come across the name 'Jew', I wonder. What makes these people different?

The total population of the United States is about 330 million. Among them, there are about 7.5 million Jews, which is just over 2%.

In numbers, it may not seem like a lot, but their presence is almost top-tier. For example, over 20% of Nobel Prize winners are Jews, and the percentage of Jews in the top Ivy League admission rates is always high, and Jews are established in Wall Street, Hollywood, media, academia, law, and even politics.

At this point, the numbers may be small, but their influence is like that of the Avengers. There's even a joke that says, "Without Jews, the American economy wouldn't function."

It's a funny story, but it resonates with a somewhat bitter reality.

Why are they so serious about 'studying'?

In Jewish households, children are raised not with phrases like "You are smart, so you should study hard," but rather with, "The world will always see you as an outsider. So you must prove yourself."

This is not just a message to study well, but a teaching that is close to a survival strategy.

In fact, Jews have experienced expulsion, discrimination, and massacres throughout their long history.
Perhaps because of this, they place great importance on knowledge, skills, logical reasoning, and writing ability.
Talmud education, based on the Torah (Jewish law), is conducted through debate and discussion.
The point is not to determine who is right, but who can explain more logically.
This aligns perfectly with the elite education system in America.

Why is their economic power so strong?

Jews have lived in areas where land ownership was prohibited or restricted for a long time, so they naturally focused on professions that make money work for them, such as finance, trade, jewelry, and usury. While these are normal professions today, they were jobs that Christians avoided during the Middle Ages.

Jews took advantage of that gap.

And even today, that financial mindset continues. Jewish parents teach their children about saving and investing from a young age.  Thanks to this culture, many Jewish families are not just 'wealthy households' but know how to create, maintain, and grow their wealth.

So does everyone live so well?

Of course not. There are poor Jews and those who have failed.
In particular, there are ultra-Orthodox Jews (Haredi) living in some areas of Brooklyn, New York, and LA,
who adhere to traditional dress and laws, leading to minimal economic activity.
They have many children, and their studies are centered around religion. Therefore, they often receive government assistance and do not live abundantly.

So it is difficult to view Jews as a single image.
However, on average, they do stand out in terms of education, economic power, and social influence.

What is the position of Jews in American society?

America fundamentally respects religious and racial diversity, but anti-Semitism still exists.
Especially when political issues (like the Palestine-Israel conflict) arise, tensions run high.
However, the Jewish community has an incredibly strong sense of unity and a solid network among themselves.

Moreover, they have a very active culture of giving.
Successful Jewish businessmen often donate hundreds of millions of dollars to communities, schools, and hospitals.
It's not just about living well for themselves, but there is a strong philosophy of wanting the entire community to thrive together.

I learned one thing from observing their culture: "The weapon that can protect oneself in any environment is knowledge."

And that knowledge includes not just reading books, but also critical thinking, logical reasoning, the power to ask questions, and the strength of networks and solidarity.

The reason why Jews, who make up just over 2% of the vast country of America, are so strong is likely due to their deep history, philosophy, and tenacious survival skills.