Why Do Jews Have Curly Hair? Exploring the History and Significance of Jewish Curls

Curly hair is often associated with Jewish identity, though not all Jews have naturally textured locks. Where does this perception come from? What is the history and deeper meaning behind curls in Jewish culture? Let’s unravel the story of Jewish hair.

The Origins of Curly Hair Stereotypes

The assumption that Jews possess curly hair dates back centuries. Some key factors behind the stereotype include:

• Biblical references – Descriptions of ancient Israelites sometimes mention curly or “bushy” hair.

• European bias – Antisemitic stereotypes that emerged in Europe portrayed Jews as having dark, coarse hair.

• Pseudoscience – 20th century eugenicists used hair curl as a flawed metric of “Jewishness.”

• Iconography – Caricatures and images often depicted religious Jews with payot (sidelocks).

• Limited diversity – Lack of visibility of the wide range of Jewish hair types.

So while curly hair is not universial among Jews, the perception persists thanks to historical myths and bias.

The Reality of Jewish Hair Types

In truth, hair texture among Jews varies widely:

• Ashkenazi Jews – European descent. Tend to have wavy to curly hair. About 10-20% have tightly curly hair.

• Sephardic Jews – Spanish/Mediterranean descent. Typically have dark straight or loosely curly hair.

• Mizrahi Jews – Middle Eastern descent. Many have loose waves or tight curls.

• Beta Israel – Ethiopian Jews. Tight coils are common.

• Bene Israel – Indian Jews. Dark straight or loosely wavy hair prevails.

As these examples show, hair curl and texture depend heavily on ethnic ancestry among Jews, not on religion per se.

The Special Case of Hasidic Payot

While curly hair is not universal among Jews, there is one subgroup that does intentionally grow out their side curls:

• Hasidic – Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men wear payot, or long sidelocks by their ears.

• The reason – It follows the religious commandment not to cut the hair around one’s ears.

• The look – Usually twisted or curled and hanging by the ear rather than blended with the rest of the hair.

So the distinctive payot, rather than hidden curly hair, accounts for the visible curls associated with Hasidic Jewish men. They purposefully keep this religious hair style.

Perceptions of Curly Hair Through History

The view of textured hair has shifted over time, both within Jewish culture and beyond:

Early Israelite Period

• Curly “bushy” hair seen as a sign of youth and virility.
• Associated with strength (e.g. Samson’s locks).
• Considered natural and commonplace, not stigmatized.

Middle Ages

• As Jews entered Europe, curly hair became “exoticized.”
• Still not negative, but seen as unusual and ethnically distinct.

19th and 20th Centuries

• Curls become villified through antisemitic propaganda and eugenics.
• Science falsely claims curled hair indicates “degeneration.”

Contemporary Times

• Revival of curly hair as beautiful, though not fully inclusive of coily textures.
• Move towards embracing natural hair of all kinds, slowly reducing stigma.

While the perceptions have shifted, textured hair remains charged as a Jewish symbol.

The Allure and Burden of Curls for Jews

For Jews today, curly hair holds both positive and negative associations:

Source of Pride and Bonding

• Shared beauty rituals and haircare tips bring the community together.

• Embracing curls allows connection with heritage and identity.

• Curls symbolize ethnic pride rather than conforming to straight hair standards.

Reminder of Bias

• Hair texture preferences reveal lingering internalized antisemitism.

• Assumptions based on curls can lead to profiling, discrimination, and harm.

• Historical traumas make wearing natural hair more complex.

So while curly hair can be a source of celebration, for many Jews it is also freighted with difficult history.

Reclaiming Jewish Hair

Given the complex role of curly hair, how should Jews relate to their natural locks today? Some suggestions:

• Learn the facts – understand the diversity of Jewish hair types beyond the stereotypes.

• Examine our biases – reflect on any negative views we hold of textured hair.

• Appreciate the positives – value our hair as a connection to shared identity.

• Challenge the negatives – call out when curl bias causes harm.

• Embrace all textures – fight any stigma against coily and kinky hair.

• Make healthy choices – base hair decisions on self-love, not external pressures.

The choice of whether to wear one’s hair curly or not is personal. But examining the history and significance of Jewish curls allows healthier relationships all around.

Why Some Jews Straighten Their Hair

Given the complications around curly hair, some Jews opt to straighten their locks either temporarily or permanently. This can be due to:

• Seeking ease of styling and maintenance of straight hair

• Pressure to conform to mainstream beauty standards

• Desire for a versatile hair transformation

• Minimizing unwanted comments or attention

• Camouflaging to avoid discrimination or harm

While hair straightening is a personal choice, for Jews it often ties into much deeper societal biases.

Intergenerational Trauma of Hair Bias

Centuries of trauma related to Jewish physical identity pass down unconscious generational effects:

• Self-protection – Disguising “Jewish” traits to avoid danger.

• Acceptance – Mimicking the majority to minimize feeling “othered.”

• Status – Straight hair as the ideal tied to upward mobility.

• Internalization – Seeing textured hair through the lens of antisemitism.

So even well-meaning hair choices may be affected by intergenerational transmission of historical anxieties and oppression.

Shared Black and Jewish Hair Experiences

The complexities of Jewish hair also intersect with the journeys of Black women embracing their curls:

• Discrimination – Bias against natural Black hair in society, schools, and workplaces.

• Eurocentrism – Pressure to conform to straight hair as the professional, beautiful standard.

• Reclamation – Movements for Black women to celebrate natural hair as an act of empowerment.

• Nuance – Individual choices balancing beauty, identity, safety, and practical needs.

While the contexts differ, the road to hair self-acceptance contains shared milestones and pain points.

Significance of Curls for Jewish Identity

For many Jews today, curly hair retains important cultural meanings:

• A visible indicator of Jewish ethnicity, especially for those who may “pass” as non-Jewish.

• A source of common ground and community, sharing haircare wisdom.

• A point of discussion, curiosity, and sometimes unwanted comments from non-Jews.

• A reminder of both the joys and the complex burdens of visible Jewish identity.

• A symbol of the ongoing journey towards truly embracing, respecting, and celebrating diversity in all hair textures.

So while curly hair remains controversial, ultimately it represents the richness of the Jewish people worldwide in all our variety.