Scarlett Johansson’s Jewish heritage and family roots have deeply influenced her life and sense of identity, tracing through her maternal ancestry and shaped further by discoveries in recent years. The acclaimed Hollywood actress, noted for her roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and other major films, has long fascinated fans with questions about her background and traditions.
Tracing Scarlett Johansson’s Maternal Jewish Roots
Johansson is recognized as Jewish through her mother, Melanie Sloan, who descends from Ashkenazi Jews with origins in Poland and Russia. Her Jewish heritage is rooted primarily in her maternal line. Johansson’s father, Karsten Olaf Johansson, is Danish, which adds to her family’s multicultural history. The importance of Jewish lineage through the maternal side is highlighted by traditional norms, making Johansson’s connection to her Jewish ancestry particularly significant.
According to records revealed on the PBS program Finding Your Roots in 2017, Johansson’s family name on her mother’s side was initially Schlamberg. Members of the Schlamberg family were among the many Jewish immigrants who left Poland and Russia in search of safety and opportunity. This migration formed the foundation of Johansson’s Jewish identity, aligning her story with generations of others who came to America under similar circumstances.
Growing Up with Jewish Traditions in Manhattan
Raised in Manhattan, Scarlett Johansson grew up observing core Jewish traditions and practices. Shabbat and Chanukah were among the holidays and customs her family celebrated, offering a consistent connection to her ancestral roots. Her upbringing was shaped not just by religious observance but also by the stories shared within her family about their past and their resilience.
The actress is one of four siblings: she has an older sister, Vanessa, an older brother, Adrian, and a twin brother named Hunter. Together, they were introduced to and participated in Jewish customs, blending these traditions into their daily lives while living in New York City. The sense of family and community shaped Johansson as she rose to prominence in Hollywood.
A Deeper Connection Uncovered on ‘Finding Your Roots’
While Johansson was always aware of her Jewish heritage, her participation in the 2017 season of Finding Your Roots led her to profound personal discoveries. During the show, she researched her ancestors and learned more about the hardships they endured within Eastern European Jewish communities. The pivotal revelation concerned her maternal great-grandfather, Saul Schlamberg, who immigrated from a small Polish town in 1910. Arriving in New York City, he settled on Ludlow Street in the historic Lower East Side, which was home to many Jewish immigrants at that time. Saul faced significant hardship, making a living selling bananas at a market, highlighting the challenges many faced upon arrival in America.
Yet, while Saul built a new life stateside, his brother Moishe and Moishe’s family faced a tragic fate during World War II. In 1942, Moishe and his wife and ten children became trapped in the Warsaw Ghetto after staying behind in Grojec, Poland. The Ghetto was notorious for its suffering and loss during the Holocaust, and most of Grojec’s Jewish residents, including many members of the Schlamberg family, were killed or deported. Years after these events, testimony from Moishe’s daughter, preserved at the Yad Vashem Holocaust museum in Israel, disclosed the deaths of Zlata, age 15, and Mandil, age 17, in the Warsaw Ghetto.
The emotional impact of these revelations was substantial for Johansson, who learned about them during her appearance on Finding Your Roots. On the program, she became visibly moved by the story of the two siblings whose lives ended in tragedy:
“I promised myself I wouldn’t cry, but it’s hard not to. It’s crazy to imagine that Saul would be on the other side selling bananas on Ludlow Street and how different it would be being in America at that time. The fate of one brother versus the other. It makes me feel more deeply connected to that side of myself, that side of my family. I didn’t expect that.”
—Scarlett Johansson, Actress
The Enduring Impact of Holocaust History on Johansson’s Identity
Learning of her ancestors’ suffering during the Holocaust left a lasting impression on Scarlett Johansson. The knowledge that some of her forebears faced the devastating realities of ghettos, forced labor, and loss during the Holocaust brought renewed depth and understanding to her Jewish heritage and family roots. The stories from the Warsaw Ghetto and discoveries about relatives such as Saul Schlamberg resonated strongly, creating an emotional bridge to her heritage that she hadn’t experienced before.
By participating in Finding Your Roots, Johansson found herself connecting more deeply with the struggles and resilience displayed by her ancestors. She was able to honor those family members, including Zlata, Mandil, and the rest of the Schlamberg lineage, whose experiences shaped the lives of future generations.
The Personal Significance of Ancestry and Tradition
Johansson’s story mirrors those of countless Jewish families whose histories were marked by migration, perseverance, and, for some, terrible loss. The actress has spoken openly about feeling a stronger connection to her Jewish identity thanks to the insight she gained into her family’s past. Discovering the fate of relatives separated by continents and conflict made her feel a sense of unity with both her heritage and the broader Jewish community.
This deeper understanding has influenced Johansson’s outlook and provided her with a sense of responsibility to remember—and where possible, to share—her family’s story. As she continues her film career and public life, her Jewish heritage and family roots remain an integral and cherished part of her story, reminding fans and observers alike of the enduring importance of ancestry, resilience, and tradition.
Scarlett Johansson’s journey into her maternal lineage underscores how heritage and personal history can shape a public figure’s identity as much as their on-screen accomplishments. By embracing and learning from her roots, Johansson not only honors her family but also keeps the memory and lessons of the past alive for both herself and others.
