Mila Kunis reveals shocking truth about her jewish upbringing and how she’s raising her kids culturally jewish

Mila Kunis, the celebrated actress known for her roles in Bad Moms and That ‘70s Show,* recently revealed an unexpected shift in her approach to religion. Although she was raised in a household that did not observe Jewish religious traditions, Kunis is now raising her children with Ashton Kutcher to embrace their Jewish heritage, albeit in a cultural sense rather than a strictly religious one.

The 41-year-old actress, who was born in Ukraine and moved to the United States at the age of eight, shared her personal journey with Judaism in a December 2024 video. In the video, Kunis is seen lighting a candle for the second night of Hanukkah, a Jewish festival that spans eight days and nights. Kunis, who has openly discussed the challenges of her upbringing, spoke candidly about her lack of religious observance as a child and her recent decision to raise her children with an awareness of their Jewish roots.

From Ukraine to America: Mila Kunis’ early life and Jewish heritage

Kunis’ experience with Judaism is deeply tied to her early years in Ukraine, where she said religion was not only discouraged but also suppressed. “I always knew I was Jewish, but I was told never to talk about it,” Kunis admitted. “I grew up doing nothing” in terms of religious traditions, she explained. The Jewish identity she held as a child was not fostered in any meaningful way. This was a reflection of her upbringing in a country where freedom of religion was limited during the Soviet era.

Upon moving to the United States, Kunis faced a new world of cultural integration. The pressure to assimilate into American life left little room for Jewish practices. Kunis acknowledged that while her parents maintained a Jewish cultural identity, religion was not a priority in their home. This has since been reflected in how Kunis chose to raise her children with Kutcher.

Raising her children with Jewish cultural traditions

As her family has grown, Kunis has come to embrace Jewish traditions in a new way. Although she did not practice Jewish religious customs as a child, Kunis is now determined to introduce these practices to her own children. She described her decision to observe Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest, as a way to connect her children with the cultural aspects of Judaism. “I was raised culturally Jewish, so for me, it’s a culture,” Kunis explained.

For Kunis, the significance of Judaism has evolved from an abstract identity to an active part of her family life. She shared how her children, who are still young, already identify with the religion, noting that her daughter has started to understand the rituals. Kunis’ embrace of Judaism contrasts with the non-practicing household in which she was raised, but it shows how her views have changed since becoming a mother.

Shabbat and Hanukkah: Embracing Jewish traditions

One of the most significant ways Kunis has integrated Jewish practices into her life is by celebrating Hanukkah with her family. Hanukkah is a festival of lights that celebrates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. It is traditionally marked by the lighting of the menorah, a candleholder with nine branches. Kunis recently shared a video of herself lighting the second candle of the menorah in celebration of Hanukkah, a gesture that highlighted her new approach to Jewish tradition.

In addition to Hanukkah, Kunis also practices Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest, which begins at sundown on Friday and lasts until Saturday evening. The observance of Shabbat includes attending synagogue services, lighting candles, and enjoying a festive meal with family. Kunis has explained that she finds beauty in these traditions, even if she does not observe them in the same way that religious Jews might. “There’s so much beautiful tradition in it,” Kunis said.

Mila Kunis’ struggles with guilt and superstition

Alongside her cultural Jewish upbringing, Kunis admitted to carrying some emotional baggage from her childhood. She reflected on being “raised with a lot of guilt, all the time,” mentioning how superstition and guilt were prevalent in her upbringing. She noted that she often felt a deep-rooted fear of not having enough food, which is a sentiment she has worked to address as an adult. “The worst thing my kids can say to me is, ‘I’m hungry,'” Kunis explained. This fear has impacted her parenting, leading her to ensure that her children never feel hunger.

Kunis also spoke about how her fear of not having enough food is connected to a cultural tradition she learned from her family. “Food fixes everything,” she said. This deep-seated belief, while not necessarily unhealthy, is something she recognizes as stemming from her childhood experiences with food scarcity.

Cultural identity versus religious observance

Mila Kunis’ decision to raise her children with an awareness of their Jewish roots, but not necessarily in the context of religious observance, reflects a broader trend of cultural identity taking precedence over religious practices. While many Jewish families adhere strictly to religious customs, Kunis is more focused on imparting the cultural significance of her heritage to her children.

This nuanced approach to religion has sparked discussion among fans and critics alike. Some view Kunis’ decision as a positive way of blending cultural traditions with modern family life, while others question the value of teaching children about a heritage without fully engaging with its religious aspects. For Kunis, the goal is not to impose religion on her children but rather to foster an understanding of their background in a way that feels meaningful to them.

Netizens react to Mila Kunis’ decision to raise her kids culturally Jewish

Mila Kunis’ comments about her approach to raising her children as culturally Jewish have sparked varied reactions on social media. Here are some of the reactions from Twitter users:

• @CulturalCritic78: “Mila Kunis raises her kids with cultural Judaism—good for her, but can you really separate culture from faith?”
• @JewishMom45: “Glad to see Mila Kunis embracing her roots, but wonder if her kids will fully appreciate the traditions when they’re older.”
• @FaithAndFamilyNow: “I don’t think you can just teach your kids the culture and skip out on the faith aspect. It’s confusing.”
• @CityMomma23: “I admire Mila Kunis for wanting to reconnect with her Jewish background, but I wonder if that’ll be enough for her kids.”
• @TheTrueJew: “Cultural Judaism is important, but how much will Mila’s kids really understand the depth of their heritage without religion?”
• @GuiltGone: “Mila Kunis’ upbringing seems complicated with the superstition and guilt. I hope her kids have a healthier relationship with food!”

The impact of Kunis’ upbringing on her parenting style

Mila Kunis’ reflections on her own childhood and her decision to raise her children differently reveal a deep sense of self-awareness. She recognizes how her upbringing shaped her behaviors and values, and she has made conscious efforts to ensure her children are not burdened by the same guilt and fears that influenced her. As a result, Kunis has embraced a more mindful approach to parenting, one that focuses on cultural identity and positive traditions, rather than the guilt and superstitions she grew up with.

Her decision to light candles for Hanukkah and celebrate Shabbat is a testament to her evolving relationship with her Jewish heritage. While Kunis may not have practiced these traditions as a child, she is now determined to pass them down in a way that feels authentic to her family’s current needs.

Mila Kunis’ evolving relationship with her Jewish heritage

Mila Kunis’ approach to her Jewish heritage has evolved significantly over the years. From a childhood marked by religious suppression to her current efforts to raise her children with an awareness of their cultural identity, Kunis’ journey reflects a personal transformation. She has embraced Judaism not necessarily as a religion but as a cultural tradition that she hopes to pass on to her children.

Kunis’ story raises important questions about the intersection of culture and religion, particularly in the context of parenting. As she navigates her own relationship with faith, Kunis is showing her children the value of embracing their heritage, even if it is in a non-traditional way.