From Portugal to America: Jewish ‘Brain Drain’ and ‘Brain Gain’

Abstract

A people’s identity is a complex matter and Jewish identity is, probably, more complex than the average, since its foundations are mixed with deep religious roots. In this essay, I use the terms ‘Jew’ or ‘Jewish people’ in an ethnic perspective, i.e., I research Jews as an ethnic group regardless of the religious dimension or others. Even when looking at how Jews define their identity, one finds out that the ethnic elements of ancestry and culture have an edge over religion.