  They are neither, and both.  What the jews really are, is a culture. Think about it.  What defines being a jew?  Is it a race? (There are converted jews of several races; you can't convert to a race.) Is it a religion?(There are athiestic jews, yet still considered jews.)  Or is it a culture?   It's the idea and ideal behind them proclaiming themselves to be unified group is what it really is to be a jew, because a race would have a fairly pure lineage, while the jews are made up of various diverse ethnic groups that have mingled.  So, they have three things that helps define them:  1. Racial Group. While they are not a race per se, they are a distinct ethnic group (as the Irish are a distinct ethnic group, or the dutch are a distinct ethnic group - they have identifiable ethnic traits and characteristics), with a large percent of them descended from Khazarian ancestry; that unifies them physically.  2. Religious Group. A form of faith that unifies them emotionally.   3. Political Group. No matter which side of the 2-headed snake they choose to portray, they are almost universally Zionists. This unifies them in the ideal of both of the above.  (While there are some jews who are not zionists, their voices are generally drowned out by the dull roar of the mass of jews who are zionists.)   So, what the jews really are, is a culture that encompasses race, religion, and politics.   Wow, someone around here who understands. Kudos!    It's a culture comprised of the above three components. However, unlike many believe here, you can't be part Jewish. It's all or nothing, and converts are as Jewish as people born of a Jewish mother.   Jews are definately a race. They make few religious converts outside their race and they have specific physical features. Also, they have their own state. That in itself is proof enough of their racial identity.   Erm, ok. Jews converted quite a bit of the population in the pre-Christian Roman-era, and were seen as quite missionary in that aspect (Hence the laws forbidding people from converting and forbidding a rabbi from converting someone upon pain of death). Another reason for the lack of converts is the fact that it is Jewish belief that EVERYONE goes to heaven, not only the Jewish people, so why bother converting them? Jews have 613 religious laws to follow to avoid G-d's wrath compared to the 7 of the Gentiles, so isn't it easier to be a non-Jew?    Also: Ok, so say if Bavaria would have declared itself an independant state as originally intended after world war I - would they have become a race too?   You know it's sad that most people simply don't understand this. The jews have to intermarry to survive; they have become somewhat sterile through race-mixing for so long.   You do understand that most Jews that care about their cultural heritage and want to further the Jewish people DON'T marry non-Jews right? There are less and less of us each year - 280k in England now compared to the 400k of the 60's, and in order to preserve our heritage we rarely race mix (Even though it isn't a race heh). If I married a Christian, Moslem, Hindu or Sikh, the children wouldn't be Jewish unless they converted. If I married a Jewish woman, they would be born Jewish. Orthodox and Conservative Jewish rabbis point black refuse to allow their folds to marry outsiders, and Reformists (Making up 45% of the population) who care about their heritage don't do it either.   they have specific physical features   ALL of 'em? Wow! My father has a biggish nose, curly black hair . However, he's an ex-member of the BNP and we know for a fact that all 4 of his grandparents were White Catholics. I, however, have a very pale complexion, green eyes, long brown hair and a very small nose. I inhereted these from my mother, whom I have mentioned in another post (Jewish). Any stereotypical Jewish looks I might have would have been inherited from my non-Jewish father. Isn't that food for thought?