Is Joy Behar Jewish? Unveiling Her Identity & Heritage

Is Joy Behar Jewish? Despite being a prominent figure in American television and a frequent voice on matters of cultural and political significance, the question of Joy Behar's religious identity is more complex than it might initially appear.

The public has often speculated about Joy Behar's religious background, a query fueled by her outspoken commentary on social and political issues, as well as her close association with figures and topics related to Judaism. However, a deeper dive into her personal history and ancestry reveals a nuanced portrait.

Born Josephine Victoria Occhiuto on October 7, 1942, in Brooklyn, New York, Behar's roots trace back to Italy. Her parents were Roman Catholics of Italian descent, hailing from Sant'Eufemia d'Aspromonte, Calabria. This familial background forms the bedrock of her heritage, a factor that's often overshadowed by the public's perceptions and assumptions. Behar's journey, from her upbringing in Brooklyn to her ascent in the entertainment industry, has been marked by both personal and professional transformations.

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Her journey began in the classrooms of Brooklyn. In 1964, she earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from Queens College, followed by a Master of Arts in English Education from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1966. After teaching high school English in the late 1960s and early 1970s, she eventually transitioned into the world of comedy and television, where she would become a household name. Her first marriage was to Joseph Behar in 1965, and the surname, "Behar," is of Sephardic Jewish origin, which has undoubtedly contributed to the speculation surrounding her religious identity.

This article delves into the various aspects of Joy Behar's life and public persona. It attempts to clarify the details of her heritage and background and examine how her identity may have influenced her views and her conversations on "The View."

Category	Details
Full Name	Josephine Victoria Occhiuto (later known as Joy Behar)
Date of Birth	October 7, 1942
Place of Birth	Brooklyn, New York, USA
Nationality	American
Ethnicity	Italian (Roman Catholic)
Education	Queens College (BA in Sociology), State University of New York at Stony Brook (MA in English Education)
Known For	Comedian, Actress, Television Host, Writer
Notable Career Highlights	Co-host of "The View," Host of "The Joy Behar Show"
Marital Status	Married to Steve Janowitz (since 2011)
Previous Marriage	Joseph Behar (1965-1981)
Children	Eve Behar Scotti (daughter from first marriage)
Current Residence	New York City
Website Reference	The View - ABC

The show "The View" has served as a platform for Behar to discuss current events and engage in conversations about a wide range of topics. From 2009 to 2011, Behar hosted "The Joy Behar Show" on HLN, and from 2012, the channel's format changed in August 2013. Her media presence, coupled with her surname, has contributed to the recurring questions about her religious background. This is further fueled by the fact that her first husband was Jewish, as well as her current husband, Steve Janowitz, to whom she married on August 11, 2011.

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The question of her religious affiliation often surfaces in discussions. Some people believe that Behar is Jewish, but the reality is more complex. Behar has Italian heritage, being born to a Roman Catholic family of Italian descent. While the surname "Behar" is indeed of Sephardic Jewish origin, the connection stems from her first marriage. It is important to acknowledge that she herself has clarified, she is not Jewish.

The public has consistently been fascinated by the intersection of celebrity and cultural identity. For Behar, the ongoing discussion about her religious identity underscores the complexity of how people perceive public figures and the impact of cultural heritage on their professional journeys. One of the incidents that highlighted the discussions occurred when Whoopi Goldberg was suspended. Joy Behar briefly addressed Whoopi Goldberg's suspension on 'the view' :

In 2018, an ancestryDNA test was performed on "The View" and the results stated that Joys genetic ancestry consists of:

• 76% Italian
• 10% Irish
• 5% Ashkenazi Jewish

Behar's connection to the Jewish community extends beyond her personal relationships. She has often engaged with Jewish identity and cultural influence on "The View". Her discussions have included topics ranging from history to politics, demonstrating her interest in and understanding of the Jewish experience.

Behar's openness and engagement with a range of ideas and cultural perspectives have made her a prominent figure in contemporary media. This, alongside her sharp wit, and her willingness to engage in dialogue have made her a prominent figure.

As Behar herself has noted, her professional journey was sometimes perceived through the lens of cultural expectations. "I was just told by executives and network people and agents I was too New York which I think is code for too Jewish or too ethnic," she once said. The implication is that in the media landscape, individuals can be categorized and that identity can shape perceptions of what's acceptable or marketable.

In conclusion, while the questions around Joy Behar's religious identity are understandable given her surname, marriages, and cultural engagements, her personal heritage is rooted in Italian Catholic traditions. The narrative is not simple, and the complex tapestry of Behar's life highlights the way individuals navigate identity in the public eye.

It's worth noting that the media's portrayal of identity, and its impact on public perception, is a complex one. The questions about Joy Behar's heritage exemplify the challenges of categorizing people, especially when they have publicly held views or affiliations that may seem to overlap with other cultural groups.

Throughout her career, Joy Behar has presented herself as a woman who is comfortable with her Italian heritage. She is known to share stories about her Italian upbringing. Her engagement with varied cultural elements offers a richer understanding of her public and personal life.

In the context of American culture, the discussion around Joy Behar's background underscores how individuals can be perceived differently depending on their personal affiliations and the communities they are associated with. The fact that she has a Jewish surname (from her first marriage), and that she has often discussed issues of cultural and religious importance, may have led to assumptions that are now often discussed and scrutinized.

It is also important to emphasize that, according to information, she is not Jewish. However, the fact that her ex-husband was Jewish, and that her current husband is Jewish, is very relevant to this topic. The ongoing conversation about Joy Behar is a case study in how a person's life in the public eye intersects with questions of heritage, belonging, and the assumptions made about identity.