Abstract
This chapter addresses complications and contradictions inherent in the con cept of “Jewish peoplehood.” My working definition of peoplehood is “unity of widely dispersed people around a particular identity leading to shared actions.” I believe that because this Jewish unity does not exist, we should continue our search for an apt metaphor that reflects reality. My overview of this topic leads me to suggest that given the multiplicity of types of Jews, some of whom are organized into groups, people interested in promoting Jewish peoplehood should devise ways of having these groups accept each other as Jews. In other words, instead of focusing on the individual, it behooves promoters of Jewish peoplehood to focus on the subgroup in relation to other subgroups.