Question
I grew up in a Jewish family, was raised going to shul, and had a bat mitzvah. I've been active at my university's Hillel, and my Jewish identity is really important to me. I'm almost 22 years old, and I just found out that my grandmother on my mother's side isn't Jewish (although her husband, my grandfather, was). My mother and her family are from the Soviet Union, and she was raised with all of the stigma and struggle associated with being Jewish (as well as with Jewish cultural practices). My mom has always identified as Jewish, so I never thought to ask about our family history. I'm not quite sure what to do -- I know that this means that I'm not Jewish, but my identity and how people view me hasn't changed. I know that Jewishness is matrilineal, so I would need to convert in order for my children to be considered Jewish, but what would the conversion process look like for me? Would it be different than the standard process in any way?

Question
Dear Rabbi, A relative is showing interest in Jewish observance and has questions and issues (such as family) to work through. I would like to help but I do not know how. What advice do you have for me? Thank you so much!

Question
Someone told me a story that I’d heard before and I really didn’t want to waste my time hearing it again. But I didn’t want to offend the teller who was enjoying telling the story and decided to listen politely. Is that what Judaism teaches?

Question
For 22 years I was in a relationship with a Jewish man, we did not have any children but he had one son from his previous marriage. We were both from traditional backgrounds, were members of our local shul and celebrated Shabbos and the festivals together as well as going frequently to Israel where he has relatives. However he became increasingly abusive, verbally and emotionally, so we separated, which has been very stressful and depressing. Recently I have become close to a non-Jewish man who seems to be everything I want - intelligent, respectful, and with the same interests. He says he loves being with me and wants to take things further. However, I am holding back - and as well as not being Jewish, he is 14 years younger than me. He is very interested in the religion, came to my mother's stone setting, and met all my relatives, although I don't think he would be interested in conversion. I am well above child-bearing age, so that would not be a factor, and I am not completely frum, but I am wondering if I would be crazy to take such a relationship on or if I would be throwing away a chance of happiness late in life. He is sure nothing would present a barrier as far as he is concerned, but I am not sure how much he understands about leading a Jewish life, which I have to all intents and purposes been doing, and want to carry on doing.

Question
I just saw an earlier question on intermarriage and became curious, even though this is not me. If a Jew intermarries, not knowing better at the time, has children, and then subsequently learns that their marriage is not permitted, are they required to dissolve a happy marriage and the stable lives of their children’s upbringing in a two-parent home in order to comply with the requirement to not be intermarried?

Question
Dear Rabbi, What’s really wrong with intermarriage? Thank you.

Question
My Jewish daughter and her non-Jewish husband are having a baby boy. We are planning a Bris. Their plan is to name the baby for the baby’s Jewish grandparents. Rabbi, our question is this: Is it acceptable to give a third name for a non-Jewish grandparent? We certainly want to be respectful to both sides of the family. Thank you very much.