Back in December, and just in time for Hanukkah, J.K. Rowling revealed via Twitter that there were Jewish wizards at Hogwarts. Replying to a fan, she wrote, â??Anthony Goldstein, Ravenclaw, Jewish wizard.â? The revelation prompted a flurry of curious questions from Rowlingâ??s nearly 4 million twitter followers. Rowling followed up her initial statement by clarifying both that Anthony was not the first or only Jewish student and that all religious groups were present at Hogwarts: â??To everyone asking whether their religion/belief/non-belief system is represented at Hogwarts: the only people I never imagined there are Wiccans.â?
This isnâ??t the first time that Rowling has made news using theâ??forgive usâ??imaginary world of the Harry Potter novels to celebrate cultural diversity and progressive social values. In 2007, Rowling let Dumbledore out of the closet when she announced that everyoneâ??s favorite sorcerer headmaster is (spoiler: was) gay.
Read Full Article »