JK Rowling says there were Jewish wizards at Hogwarts but she 'never imagined' Wiccans there

Turns out, Hogwarts is home to witches and wizards of almost all religions - except Wicca, that is.

JK Rowling, the author of the best-selling book series "Harry Potter," has confirmed during a Twitter question-and-answer session on Tuesday that Hogwarts had Jewish students.

Ben Roffman, the Jewish fan who threw the question, tweeted that his wife teased him that there were no Jews in the wizarding school, hence she was the only one qualified to be "magical" in the family.

In reply, Rowling posted, "Anthony Goldstein, Ravenclaw, Jewish wizard."

Goldstein was among the original 40 students that Rowling created for "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone," the first book in the series.

The popular novelist also clarified that there are other Jewish students in Hogwarts aside from Goldstein.

Rowling went on to say that Wicca, the pagan witchcraft religion, is the only religion not represented in the "Harry Potter" books.

The author posted on Twitter, "To everyone asking whether their religion/belief/non-belief system is represented at Hogwarts: the only people I never imagined there are Wiccans."

Rowling explained that she did not see how Wiccan practitioners can fit with the witches and wizards in her series.

The novelist tweeted, "[It's] a different concept of magic to the one laid out in the books, so I don't really see how they can co-exist."

As of late, Rowling has been frequenting the Harry Potter world. She has just finished the film script for the Harry Potter spinoff 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.' She has also been writing new content for Pottermore, an interactive website dedicated to the Harry Potter series.

News
CoE sees surge in interest this Christmas amid reports of a 'quiet revival'
CoE sees surge in interest this Christmas amid reports of a 'quiet revival'

The Church of England has said that it is experiencing a surge in interest and that it has registered a record number of services this Christmas.

Nicaragua bans international visitors from bringing in Bibles
Nicaragua bans international visitors from bringing in Bibles

Nicaragua has gone up the league table of anti-Christian persecutors.

The little-known prayers written by Jane Austen
The little-known prayers written by Jane Austen

It is now 250 years since the birth of Jane Austen whose books and their many screen adaptations are beloved around the world. Not many people know that she was a devout Christian who also wrote devotional prayers. This is the story …

The Anglican worldview of Jane Austen’s life and novels
The Anglican worldview of Jane Austen’s life and novels

16 December 2025 marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of novelist Jane Austen, who was born in southern England in 1775. Her novels are steeped in biblical analogy and practical theology. This is the story…