J.K. Rowling Confirms Jewish Character in ‘Harry Potter’

J.K. Rowling gave Jewish Harry Potter fans an early gift for Hanukkah when she confirmed that the character of Anthony Goldstein was in fact a Jew. 

The question arose on Twitter when a fan asked if there were any Jewish characters, and Rowling responded directly. The author then went on to outline that every faith and belief system was represented in Harry Potter … apart from the Wiccan faith, ironically. 

.@benjaminroffman Anthony Goldstein, Ravenclaw, Jewish wizard.

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) December 16, 2014

To everyone asking whether their religion/belief/non-belief system is represented at Hogwarts: the only people I never imagined there 1/2

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) December 16, 2014

are Wiccans.

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) December 16, 2014

Rowling has been very active with Potter-related news and tidbits in recent months, tweeting riddles and releasing new writing on the Pottermore website, and yesterday she revealed which character’s death is still haunting her. In November, she released a backstory to Dolores Umbridge, and so far this month has revealed new stories concerning Draco Malfoy.

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