Jew by Birth
Question
I’m 71 year old man. My great-grandmother’s (my mother’s mother’s mother) Jewish family immigrated from Poland in the late 1800s. I first visited a synagogue when I was 14 years old and was told because it was on my mother’s side that I was Jewish. I know nothing of the Jewish faith other than from my Christian upbringing, but I feel a desire to know more.
Where can I start please?
Am I a Jew by birth?
Answers
In Judaism, one’s Jewish status is defined through the maternal line. That means that if, as you write, your mother comes from an unbroken female Jewish line, you too are Jewish. This is so even if you have had no Jewish upbringing or if you have been brought up as a member of a different religion. This is also true even if your father is not Jewish, because according to Jewish Law the father’s Jewish status has no bearing on whether his child is Jewish or not. The only defining factor is the Jewishness of the mother.
Where does one start at the age of 71 to investigate their Jewish identity and heritage? Personally, I think that best place to begin is by visiting an Orthodox synagogue and introducing yourself to the Rabbi. As well as that, there are a many books available that teach the basic tenets of Judaism and what it means to be a Jew. They are all easily available through large Jewish sites, such as www.artscroll.com and www.eichlers.com
If you are unsure as to how to contact a local Orthodox synagogue (or if there isn’t one in your general local area), please let Just Ask! know where you live and we will be happy to try and recommend a Rabbi for you to contact.
Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team