Expert: Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner - 4/4/2005

Question
Hello. The question I have might not be exactly in your area, but you seem very knowledgeable about everything Jewish, so I thought that you might be able to answer it.

I was wondering why Jews in Israel and other Middle Eastern countries are very dark-skinned, whereas American Jews are generally quite light-skinned; indeed, except for certain characteristic facial features, they are, in general, indistinguishable from Caucasians. Do you know why this is the case? I have thought that it might be due to Caucasian races entering the gene pools of Jewish families who emigrate to the United States, but this phenomenon is observable even in people who claim to be "100% Jewish", i.e., of completely Jewish stock. Some others suggest that it might be because of climate -- that is, the warmer climate of the Middle East causes dark skin -- but this also seems an incomplete explanation. If it is true, how did the phenomenon arise here, and so quickly?

What are your thoughts and ideas on the subject?

Thank you very much.

Answer
Dear Friend,

Thanks for writing and it is really quite simple.

As Jews have lived in different countries over the centuries there have been both conversions of the host culture into Judaism producing children. In addition, there has been  assimilation of Jews away from their heritage into the host country - and sometimes the children or later generations "returned" to Judaism.

Literally the kind of genetice mixing that produces changes in colors of the skin can be seen in this country in each successive generation from the original immigrants. It may take 5-10 generations in the US but in the long run it may also resolve a great deal of racial hatred and misunderstanding in this country. Or at least I hope so.

May we all soon find a world at peace filled only with mutual respect and understanding.

Rabbi Dov