Mila Kunis is embracing her Jewish heritage with newfound passion, especially during this Hanukkah season. During a video interview with actor and activist Noa Tishby, Kunis candidly discussed her early experiences, stating, "I never lit Hanukkah candles until I had kids."
Kunis, who immigrated to the United States from Ukraine at the age of eight, reflected on being raised under circumstances where she felt compelled to remain silent about her religious background. "I grew up doing nothing. I always knew I was Jewish, but I was told to never talk about it. I think because I was in a country [Ukraine] who didn’t allow for religion," she said.
The actress, now the mother of two—Wyatt, 10, and Dimitri, 8—has taken it upon herself to introduce her children to Jewish traditions. "I fell in love with my religion because he explained it to me," Kunis shared, attributing much of her embrace of faith to her husband, Ashton Kutcher, whom she married nine years ago.
Kutcher, raised Catholic, has also explored Jewish mysticism through studies of Kabbalah, which has garnered attention due to his former wife, Demi Moore, and other pop culture figures, including Madonna, who are also practitioners. While he is not officially known to have converted to Judaism, his commitment to Kabbalah reflects his open-minded approach to spirituality. Kutcher elaborated, saying, "Every time we come up against a challenge, we turn to the tools we have learned and a solution follows."
For Kunis, her interaction with Judaism has also highlighted aspects of cultural identity, humorously noting, "I was raised with a lot of guilt, all the time. Superstition and guilt. I think I have a fear of not having enough food... the worst thing my kids can say to me is, ‘I’m hungry.’ Food fixes everything. You’re tired? Eat some food. You’re cranky? Eat some food."
Through these traditions, Kunis aims to pass down her heritage to her children, aiming to create positive experiences linked to their Jewish background. During the interview, she explained how these customs have been revitalized for her as she raises her kids, fostering pride and joy in what it means to be Jewish.
With her honest reflections, Kunis offers insights not only on personal identity but also on how family shapes one's connection to culture and traditions. She embodies the idea of redefining personal faith and heritage, proving it's never too late to embrace one's roots and nurture them within the next generation.