Jewish Identity, Ethnoreligion, and the U.S. Navy

This article explores the complex phenomenon of Jewish identity and belonging in the U.S. Navy through a qualitative inquiry into Jewish service members’ experiences. Jewish identity, characterized by its complex relationship between religion and ethnicity, is nuanced by the concept of “ethnoreligion,” which encompasses ancestry, culture, and a shared sense of peoplehood. The Navy, as an organization with its own moral framework akin to civil religion, poses unique challenges and opportunities for Jewish service members navigating its predominantly Christian norms. While secular and religious Jews engage differently with Navy practices, shared experiences of marginalization underscore the enduring complexity of Jewish identity in organizational contexts. Ultimately, this work seeks to contribute to broader discussions on diversity, inclusion, sense of belonging, and the interplay of identity within organizational and societal structures.