I’m Not Sure If I’m Jewish
Question
Okay hi!! So I have a question and trying to look it up is very very confusing. So! Basically my great grandmother on my moms side was a Jewish German and came to America in the 1940s I think…yeah. And then my grandma tried to convert to catholic (her mom was apparently very strict so I think she wanted to rebel)but gave up I think. And my mom has always had a sort of attachment to the cultural side of being Jewish but not identifying as Jewish anymore?? We grew up with dradles and wearing the Star of David and stuff like that but we celebrated Christmas and never went to temple. So I’m wondering if I’m even Jewish? Like we have the ancestry but it seems even if my mom and grandma are/were, they don’t identify as Jewish anymore?? I’m not sure bad the whole thing is very confusing to me. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!
Answers
I can certainly understand why you find it all so confusing. However, according to Jewish Law, one’s Jewish status is defined by the maternal line. If your mother has incontrovertible proof of her Jewishness, you are Jewish as well. This is true even if your father is not Jewish. The only detail that might be a cause of “confusion” is the technical aspect of finding proof that your mother is Jewish.
Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team