The final installment in our survey of the things that just "feel" Jewish, and those that don't.

by Marnie Winston-Macauley

Well, dear readers, here it is! The third and final part of our VERSUS "trilogy." But unlike The Godfather, where parts one and two make you geshrei (scream) in "joy," and part three in "oy," in typical Jewlarious style, we've maintained our impeccable standards.

Like Solomon, we've "divided." Half is "Jewish vs. Goyish," half – "Goyish vs. Jewish!"

Like Solomon, we've "divided." Half is "Jewish vs. Goyish," half -- "Goyish vs. Jewish!" we're leading off with the HF (Hamish Factor) things that "feel" Jewish even if they're Goyish! Then, switch to the GF (Goyishe Factor) -- things that "feel" Goyish even if they're Jewish.

Again, you, dear readers, have come through with your own brilliant picks, which we've chosen for special mention.

To celebrate our final VERSUS, The poster we've picked for the gold will receive a free copy of my 2009, A Little Joy, A Little Oy calendar! Autographed, yet! (And that includes our last winner from Part Two, Marlene. ("Hellman's Mayonnaise is Jewish, Miracle whip is Goyish"). Winners, write to me at asksadie@aol.com and let me know where you'd like me to send it! Remember, If you don't send, I can't send. So mazel to all contenders.

JEWISH        VS.GOYISH
Judges are JewishJuries are Goyish
Packing all the mini hotel shampoos is JewishUsing them is Goyish
Ordering family style is JewishOrdering a la carte is Goyish
Cruises are JewishWalking tours are Goyish
Laugh-In was JewishHee Haw was Goyish
Grabbing lox from the back of the buffet first, is JewishGrabbing melon from the front is Goyish
Bunions are JewishFlat feet are Goyish
Simon Says is JewishThe Hokey Pokey is Goyish
"Bewitched" is Jewish"I Dream of Jeannie" is Goyish
The Limbo is Jewish Line dancing is Goyish
Picking from your mate's plate is JewishNot wanting even a "little taste" is Goyish
GOYISH        VS.JEWISH
Fruitcake is GoyishFruit and cake is Jewish
Reading "how-to" books is GoyishWriting "how-to" books is Jewish
ESPN is GoyishPBS is Jewish
Tiffany's is GoyishYour Uncle Ira in the Jewelry District is Jewish
Passing bars is GoyishPassing the Bar Exam is Jewish
DIY (Do it Yourself) is GoyishPAG (Pay A Goy who knows what he's doing) is Jewish
Mary Kay is GoyishMurray the K is Jewish
The Chia pet infomercial is GoyishRonco spray-on hair is Jewis
Morbidly obese is GoyishBaby fat is Jewish
NASCAR is Goyish. Period.

EDITORS PICKS: YOU WROTE THEM, WE PICKED

Tommy:Private school is Goyish; Public school is Jewish
West Coast is Goyish; East Coast is Jewish
Anonymous:Lunch meat is Goyish; Deli is Jewish
White bread is Goyish; Rye is Jewish
Anonymous:Sushi is Jewish; Chopsticks are Goyish
Quilt cases are Jewish; Comforters are Goyish
Suspenders are Jewish; Overalls are Goyish
Steve A.:Waldbaum's was Jewish; A&P was Goyish. (Now A&P is the parent company of Waldbaum's!)
Mark G:Alan Sherman was Jewish; Weird Al Yankovic, not so much
Antonio: Laughing at someone else's troubles is Goyish; Laughing at your own troubles is Jewish
Tova Wald:"Youngsters" are Goyish, "Kids" are Jewish
Buttering bread is Goyish; Spreading margarine is Jewish
Sitting quietly to get served is Goyish: Standing and waving one's hands is Jewish
Yaron Salmen:I have just one thing to say about the Heineken can on the pic above. Maybe beer is Goyish, but Freddie Heineken, the founder of the Heineken Brewery here in Amsterdam (a very Jewish city) was a Jewish man...just thought to tell you that...well, pointing this out is Jewish too I think...
Dennis R. Green:WWF is Goyish, the NBA is Jewish
Tattoos and piercing are Goyish; Diamonds and pearls are Jewish
Ham sandwiches are Goyish; Corned beef on rye is Jewish
White sox are Goyish; No sox are Jewish
Saving Money is Goyish; Investing money is Jewish
Snowmobiling is Goyish; Skiing is Jewish
Doing Landscaping is Goyish; Hiring a Landscaper is Jewish
Beer is Goyish; Wine is Jewish
I am Jewish; My first wife was Goyish
Adela:Frizzy hair is Jewish; Stick straight flat hair is Goyish
A party that revolves around the buffet table is Jewish: A party that revolves around the bar is Goyish!
Leibel ben Yitzchak:Making lists of what's Jewish and what's not ... is VERY Jewish!!
Jacquie:Picking nuts is Goyish; Nitpicking is Jewish

OUR PICK FOR THE GOLD -- PRIZE WINNER

Tova Wald!For the overall quality of all three entries.

OUR PICK FOR THE SILVER:

Jacquie:Picking nuts is Goyish; Nitpicking is Jewish
Dennis R. Green:White sox are Goyish; No sox are Jewish;

Marnie Winston-Macauley is the author of Yiddishe Mamas: The Truth About the Jewish Mother" and the award-winning "A Little Joy, A Little Oy" 2008 calendar. Her 2009 calendar can be pre-ordered on Amazon.

Click here to read Jewish Vs. Goyish, Part One.

Click here to read Jewish Vs. Goyish, Part Two.

Published: November 8, 2008

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Visitor Comments: 27

(27) Merc, May 30, 2011 5:31 AM

Goyish vs Jewish...

Heh heh... I'm Jewish but have athlete's foot... I hope that doesn't make me Goyish...

(26) David, May 26, 2009 9:26 PM

Using the word "Goy" isnt derogatory

"Goy" means nation. It's just a reference to other nations that aren't part of the Jewish nations. It's like saying non-Americans or non-Canadians or non-Christians or non-muslims. Seforim have used that word for thousands of years. Just because some people have used the word in a negative context or because the word has taken on a life of its own doesn't mean it can't be used in proper context and that is to differentiate between a Jew and a non-Jew.

(25) tova, November 20, 2008 8:31 AM

To Marnie

Thanks for your message. I've also left a comment on the "Quiz" So I'm a real "kocharlefel." Meaning, I'm getting around... I think this is the right expression. The Jewish language, the nuances, the humor, the stories...I love it.

(24) Allan Levine, November 19, 2008 3:21 PM

Terrific, clever, amusing, creative & entertaining!

Mazal tov is Jewish, good luck is goyish! I just sent in comments (starting with Athletes foot is Jewish, athletes feet is goyish, etc.) Good Mazal and keep it up! Allan,

(23) Anonymous, November 15, 2008 5:23 PM

I disagree!

No way is the limbo Jewish! When I learned Israeli folk dancing, done in the kibbutz, it was line dancing, no partners, just a circle or line! Check it out!

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About the Author

Marnie Winston-Macauley

Marnie Winston-Macauley, whose work has garnered her Emmy and Writer's Guild Best Writing nominations, is the author of the acclaimed “Yiddishe Mamas: The Truth About the Jewish Mother” and the award-winning "A Little Joy, A Little Oy” calendar. These, as well as her new  Joy of Jewish Humor: 2013 Day-to-Day Calendar (available on pre-order) can be found on Amazon.com, other online calendar/book sites, as well as fine booksellers. Marnie is also a counselor on Liveperson.com and invites you to connect with her on Facebook.

Marnie Winston-Macauley is listed in The Full Wiki’s Top Jewish American Writers, living or dead. (She’s busy deciding which)

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