Why so many Jews are redheads?

The occurrence of red hair is primarily influenced by genetics. Red hair is a result of specific genetic variants associated with the MC1R gene, which is responsible for regulating the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for hair, skin, and eye color. To have red hair, an individual typically inherits two copies of the MC1R gene with these specific variants. While red hair is less common among Jewish populations, it’s not unique to any specific ethnic or religious group. The prevalence of red hair varies widely among different populations, with the highest occurrence in people of Celtic or Northern European descent. Jewish populations are genetically diverse, with Ashkenazi Jews originating in Eastern Europe, Sephardic Jews from the Iberian Peninsula, Mizrahi Jews from the Middle East, and other Jewish groups with their own distinct genetic backgrounds. The occurrence of red hair can be influenced by genetic diversity within these populations. It’s important to note that the occurrence of red hair is not specific to any religious or ethnic group, and it’s determined by a combination of genetic factors that can be found in various populations around the world.