The Great California Challah Count: How Many Pastrami Lovers Are Out There?
Ah, California. Land of sunshine, surfboards, and...a surprisingly large number of people who enjoy a good brisket. But how many of those folks are actually Jewish? That, my friends, is a question that's perplexed rabbis and nosy relatives for decades.
Census? More Like Sensuous!
Unfortunately, the official census doesn't ask about your religious affiliation. It's more concerned with how many bathrooms you have and whether you commute by carpool or unicycle (though, honestly, a unicycle commute in rush hour LA traffic sounds impressive). So, we have to rely on estimates, which are about as reliable as a bagel left unattended around a hungry shiba inu.
Here's the Challah-enge: Different Numbers for Different Folks
- The Big Brisket Brigade: Some studies say there are over 1.2 million Jews in California, which would make it basically the Land of Latkes.
- The Conservative Kibbutz: Others put the number closer to 700,000, which is still a enough people to fill Dodger Stadium...several times over, assuming everyone wanted a good kugel with their overpriced hot dog.
So, Why All the Fuss About Counting Jews?
Honestly? It's mostly for bragging rights. Bigger population means more influence, more synagogues, and potentially a higher chance of finding a decent schmear in your local supermarket.
The Important Takeaway:
There are a whole lot of Jews in California. Enough to fill a temple, a deli, and probably a pretty epic game of dreidel. The exact number? That, my friends, is a mystery as delicious as a perfect matzah ball soup.
