When I was sixteen I doscovered that I had been adopted as a baby. My fahter's family name is Stymiest or Steynmets originating from Holland and possibly further from Bavaria centuries ago. I would like to know if this name is a Jewish surname. From research I have found some 100 variations of the name throughout the years. Thank you so much for your assistance. I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest.

Rabbi, Greetings True or false ? all people are essentially the same

In a conservative jewish society, who is authorized to request a divorce ("get")

Dear Rabbi, I am an African American living in europe and recently found out that I am a jew by blood through documented lineage. I did some ancestral research when my mother, who is very ill now, told me when she filed for SS and requested a copy of her birth certicate, found out that the family name the she and her siblings had claimed for years was in error. She had always said that her ancesters where originally from boston and new york which is exactly what the records show with such accuracy and detail. My unfortunately mother had no more than a grade school education and based on discriminating social aspects of the U.S. in her youth and so many other factors was unable research her genealogy. Of course the family is excited. But for me I would like to know how this discovery may effect my life personally in seeking the spiritual truth?

Dear Rabbi, I am an African American living in europe and recently found out that I am a jew by blood through documented lineage. I did some ancestral research when my mother, who is very ill now, told me when she filed for SS and requested a copy of her birth certicate, found out that the family name the she and her siblings had claimed for years was in error. She had always said that her ancesters where originally from boston and new york which is exactly what the records show with such accuracy and detail. My unfortunately mother had no more than a grade school education and based on discriminating social aspects of the U.S. in her youth and so many other factors was unable research her genealogy. Of course the family is excited. But for me I would like to know how this discovery may effect my life personally in seeking the spiritual truth? Signed Ne-brew