Am I a Jew?
Question
I have been raised as a Christian, however, my documented genealogy going back to the early 1800’s are Jews from Poland, Russia, and Romania. My mother is the only Christian. Because my mom was not Jewish, would I not have a claim to the Jewish religion? My surname is Lebovitz. Many thanks for your reply.
Answers
According to Jewish Law, the definition of Jewish is someone who was born to a Jewish mother or someone who converted through a recognized, Orthodox Bet Din (court of law). If, as you write, it is clear that your mother is not Jewish, then you too are not Jewish. If, however, your mother’s mother was Jewish – and there is incontrovertible proof of her Jewishness – then your mother is Jewish despite the fact that she regards herself as a Christian.
Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team