ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Ashkenazi Jews

Alright kiddo, so you know how there are different types of people in the world, right? Well, one type of people are called Ashkenazi Jews. They have a special kind of history and culture that makes them unique.

Ashkenazi Jews come from a place called Ashkenaz which is in Eastern Europe. A long, long time ago, their ancestors lived in Israel, but then they had to move to Ashkenaz because of some wars and stuff. Over time, the Ashkenazi Jews developed their own way of doing things and their own language called Yiddish.

One cool thing about Ashkenazi Jews is that they have a lot of traditions and holidays that are different from other people's. For example, they celebrate Hanukkah and Passover, where they light candles and eat special foods. They also have a special day called Yom Kippur where they fast (don't eat food) for a whole day!

Another thing that makes Ashkenazi Jews special is that they have a higher chance of having certain medical conditions. This is because of something called a genetic mutation, which means their bodies work a little bit differently than other people's. But don't worry, there are doctors who know how to help them stay healthy!

So that's a little bit about Ashkenazi Jews. They're people who come from a special place and have their own traditions and language. And even though they might have some unique challenges, they're still just like you and me!