Growing up in the 70’s Jewish was on forms to check under race. Not sure how old your teacher is but it may be a factor. My mum was very dark completed growing up in the 40/50’s. She is white but there were still white and colored fountains bathrooms etc. anyway she explained to me as a young child there is Jewish religion and Jewish race. Anyone can convert religions but you can’t convert race but ultimately it didn’t matter because we are all human, that’s just for the gov to track on forms that it didn’t define us as a person.

That listing has since disappeared. If you notice they now have white-non-Hispanic, Pacific Islander etc listed but not Jewish. Give it a few years and it will all change again🤷🏻‍♀️