Jewish Identity and Antisemitism: Patrilineal Jews and Conditional Whiteness in Finland

This article examines the experiences of Jewish individuals of patrilineal descent in Finland, focusing on the way they perceive their Jewish identities and the way they experience antisemitism. Patrilineal Jews often occupy a liminal identity space, shaped by external perceptions, religious definitions, and shifting boundaries, particularly during periods of heightened political tension such as the aftermath of the 7 October Hamas attack on Israel. Situated within a context where Jewish identity is often defined through religious legitimacy and conditional visibility, the study also explores how patrilineal Jews reflect on their place within Jewish communities in Finland and the wider non-Jewish society, in which they may often be identified as White, albeit only ‘provisionally’ or ‘conditionally.’ The study highlights the need for broader, more inclusive understandings of Jewish identity and antisemitism that account for contested legitimacy and the intersectional experiences of Jews from mixed backgrounds.