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I went to a Kadima-USY regional event yesterday, which meant, for a day, the Islands of Adventure theme park was overrun by Jews. As you can imagine, there were many Jew jokes flying around- mostly from Jews themselves, but a few whispered thing by other park-goers. As a result, it got me thinking about Jewish stereotypes, and then to pose the question in the title of this thread.

What is the most annoying (often extremely off-target) stereotype about Jews?

Personally, I think it's so aggravating when everyone assumes Jews are a bunch of cheapo cheapskates. Yes, I cut out the coupons from a newspaper or magazine and use them. I'm sorry if I find two seconds of my time worth the money I'll save cutting out the coupons. It doesn't mean I'm a penny-pinching, money-hoarding b*****d. I don't automatically buy anything just because it's on sale, and I will spend a ridiculous amount of money on something if I want it bad enough (re; my pending purchase of an extremely expensive Coach purse). Yes, I like to save money when I can, but it's not as obssessive or creepy or over-the-top as people stereotypicalize. I think I just invented a verb.

Many consider Jews to be a largely manipulative group.

That's partly modern Israel's fault, though, not their own.

At my school, the Jew jokes tend to be just insults towards one person- I, for example, have been refered to as a 'fat Jewish b***h'. I'm not skinny, but I'm not fat, and if people want to insult me why are they bringing in my religion? After all, they don't care about the religion of the Jews that they are friends with.
The most common stereotype I find is that all Jews are either super-brains or rich. Depends on the person for which one they believe. But I know plenty of stupid Jews, and my dad's a high school history teacher. We sure as hell ain't rich!

Shem: this is the first I've seen of your new siggie. It's...beautiful. *tear*

Jyu: It's interesting that you bring up how these misconceptions have gone on since the middle ages. It's one of the things that fascinates me about Jewish heritage. Only because the causes tied to traditional anti-semitic sentiments are so irrational.

Jews: More contraversial than gays since 966 c.e. heart

well the thing I most hear on the net is that jews are:
a. stinky rich
b. bad people that kills poor palastinians boys just for fun

and the stinky rich part did started around the middle ages.
this stereotype started becuse Jews are usuelly worked in lowning and buying/selling stuff(since they knew that any moment the goeim might kick them away and you cant really take your farm with you...).
in the modern anti-Semitic(the "modern" term is after the middel age throw the aera[OMG my english sucks xp !] of "horor and hope" and untill our days.) this stereotype was kept becuse the world was kinda splited to two:
I. the capitalists
II. the socialists

the capitalists blamed the jews to be socialists becuse they worked in "open jobs" such as journalisem and medical-jobs that are unproducable and that the jews want to change the market into a coparative market.

in other hands the socialists blamed the Jews (ironicly... -_-) to be capitalists! why? becuse they worked at "open jobs"! jobs that gives the gives the one who worked at them "tones of cash"(I wish.... stare )!

so basicly people will allways find a reason why to hate the jews.

Angsty Shem

Many consider Jews to be a largely manipulative group.

That's partly modern Israel's fault, though, not their own.

soooooooo not!
if I may say this stereotype was allways around (kinda like the one that the jews killd jesus....) around the begining of the 20th century a book named "Zion Elders Protocols" were published in Russia and then spreded to the rest of Europe and the Islamic nations. the books suppouse to be the "protocols" of the meeting betwen the leaders of the jews, the meeting takes place in cemnterys at midnight and such and in this meetings they plan how to take over the world.
btw, hitler used this book in his anti-jewish campain.
in some countrys ant north africa this book considered as an historycal fact.

so dont blame Israel for this bulshit.... stare

p.s. I hoped you understand what I ment to say... if somthing isnt clear ask and I'll try to explain.... sweatdrop

I'll concur with the "smart and rich" thing. Although it would be nice if I were.

The worst one though, is that we control government/Hollywood/banks/the world. That's just irritating. gonk

As a Jew, I do not want to be associated with what comes out of hollywood. The end.

and Jyu: I picked 966 'cause it sticks out in my mind (the Sermonts of Strasbourg...) sweatdrop

Seen it? It's on my bedroom door. xp