One of the most prominent and persistent stereotypes about Jews is that they are greedy and try to make themselves rich by any means (including at the expense of others). Jews are seen as relentless in the pursuit of wealth and as stingy people who are determined not to let any money slip from their grasp. Jews are thought to exert control over the world’s financial systems but are also accused of regularly cheating friends and neighbours. This harmful stereotype has intensified in digital spaces, with antisemitic economic conspiracy theories increasing by 27% on social media platforms since October 2023.

The expression “to Jew someone down,” meaning to bargain unscrupulously for a lower price, perpetuates this stereotype in everyday language. Such expressions normalize antisemitism in casual conversation and contribute to the 124% increase in antisemitic incidents across Canada since 2022.

It is also often implied that Jewish wealth is undeserved rather than considering the possibility that the household income of Jewish high earners reflects their value of hard work.

The historical context is crucial for understanding this trope: The stereotype of Jewish greed took hold in the Middle Ages when Jews were frequently associated with money. Jews typically had restrictions placed on their economic activity and were at times prohibited from owning land. Sometimes the only option available to earn a living was through money-lending, a role for which Christian rulers sometimes recruited Jews. This made for a complicated and tense dynamic between Jews and Christian society that lasted well beyond medieval times. It made it easy for leaders to position Jews as scapegoats and as the cause of common people’s financial woes.

The truth is that Jews, like all other people, exist across the spectrum of socio-economic status. It’s wrong to assume that a high proportion of wealthy Jews signifies Jewish greed, rather than the reward of hard work. It’s also wrong to assume that their money will be used for nefarious ends. It is also factually incorrect to assume that all Jews are wealthy in the first place – a falsehood that continues to fuel antisemitic harassment and violence.

Sources

[1] Institute for Monitoring Peace and Cultural Tolerance, “Digital Antisemitism Report,” 2024.

[2] B’nai Brith Canada, “Annual Audit of Antisemitic Incidents 2024,” April 7, 2025.

[3] Anti-Defamation League, “Antisemitic Attitudes in America,” 2024.