What Is Claudia Sheinbaum Religion?
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Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico's first potential female president, is also the first Mexican of Jewish heritage to serve as a leader in the country's history. Born on June 24, 1962, in Mexico City, Sheinbaum's family is one that is highly academic and scientific in origin. Her father, Carlos Sheinbaum Yoselevitz, is a chemical engineer, and her mother, Annie Pardo Cemo, is a biologist. While besides the many accolades she has received in the fields of work and politics, however, many have questioned her religious affiliation, particularly due to the singularity of the heritage in a traditionally Catholic country.
Claudia Sheinbaum’s Jewish Family History Comes From Both Eastern And Southeastern Europe
Sheinbaum's Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jewish heritage reaches back in both lines of family history. Her parents' side of the family immigrated to Mexico in the 1920s, while the other side of the family fled Bulgaria in the 1940s, both during a time of historical turmoil of increased antisemitism and the devastation of World War II. Even so, Sheinbaum's upbringing was in a secular family in which both of her parents, while profoundly attached to their heritage, professed to being atheists and not participating in religious practices.
This cultural, not religious, identification has been steadily recognized by Sheinbaum throughout her public life. She's indicated in interviews that while she's proud to claim a Jewish heritage, she doesn't observe the religious tenets of Judaism.
Claudia Sheinbaum Has Repeatedly Expressed That She Does Not Practice Any Religion
Sheinbaum has said in multiple statements and interviews, that she is a woman of science and does not have religious beliefs, and she said explicitly that she is a non-practicing Jew and is also secular. Her scientific background she holds a Ph.D. in energy engineering has shaped her perspective on issues, and she often stresses data, environmental policy, and evidence-based decision-making over any kind of spiritual/religious influences. In a 2021 interview with El País, she confirmed she does not follow a religion. When asked about religion, she just stated she is not religious and has ethical values taught by her family and educational experiences. This has helped her connect with a lot of urban, liberal voters in Mexico City, where she was previously the mayor.
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Public Interpretations Of Her Secularism Have Caused Both Confusion And Antisemitic Commentary
With the percentage of the population of Mexico that is Roman Catholic being above 77%, according to the 2020 INEGI data, Sheinbaum's religious identity, or the lack thereof, drew specific reports of public interest. In June of 2024, Sheinbaum made a comment where she referred to "Jesús" which drew a lot of buzz on social media. She later stated that she was "not making a religious pronouncement" and was referring to the name of her spouse, Jesús Maria Tarriba.
Even if she cleared up the situation, some conservative commentators and social interviewees used the antisemitic lens of Sheinbaum's history of being of the Jewish faith as a way to conduct antisemitic attacks. There was a report published by the Anti-Defamation League that suggested that there was a rise of 14% of online antisemitic commentary in Latin America after Sheinbaum received her presidential nomination.
Claudia Sheinbaum’s Background Reflects The Changing Face Of Mexican Politics And Society
Promoted as a political authority defined by a secular Jewish identity, her emergence illustrates a paradigm shift in Mexican politics, where the spiritual had previously been shaped by religious sameness. Over the last few decades, younger generations in Mexico have consistently demonstrated less interest in organized religion as time progresses. In fact, a 2023 survey conducted by Latinobarómetro demonstrated that only 49% of Mexicans under the age of 30, regularly attend religious services, significant now than ever before. Sheinbaum's presidency is symbolic of a changing trend. There are not religious values associated with her nor is she a person of established or institutional religion, her presidency represents a mode of pluralism and inclusion. Her leadership reflects a more robust understanding of identity and belonging for a society that is becoming more and more diverse in its religious faiths and truths, and how it expresses its culture.
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