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Question
Recently I learned that my Father's real, original family name (later changed) was Morrell, a Jewish surname. In addition, I did some digging on my Mother's side, and found out my mother's mother's last names were Andreas-Perez, Again two Jewish last names. With Jewish roots on both sides of my family, can I call myself a Jew even though I was raised Catholic? Can I go to temple and learn the religion and become fully Jewish? I would very much like to reconnect with my part of my heritage.
Answer
I would encourage you to speak with a local Rabbi in your community as not
all rabbis would answer this question in the same way. My own position follows
based upon many yeas of pulpit work and also preparing people for conversion.
Some Orthodox Rabbis would hold that if one has a Jewish mother and the matrilineal
link to Judaism can be affirmed for many generations, then one is a Jew by birth
- even if the individual is practicing another faith.
In contrast, other Rabbis would say that someone, even if he/she has a Jewish
mother, who was raised in Christianity (or any other faith) should be formally
instructed in Judaism and converted to Judaism before being considered Jewish.
This would include a meeting with a Beit Din to determine their state of mind
and degree of education, circumcision for a man (and if physically circumcised
then a ritual drawing of a drop - just that - of blood, and then mikveh, a ritual
bath for a male or female convert.
I hold this second position. I believe Judaism is a tradition, a faith, a religion,
a daily and life-long system of beliefs and values that one needs to acquire.
I also believe, above all, that Judaism is not a race nor is it racist. There
is no such item as "Jewish blood," especially after Hitler and the Third Reich.
Having said this, I would look forward to welcoming you as I would anyone who
would cast their lot with the Jewish People and tradition. Let me know how I
can help if you need or want my assistance. You can email me at bdlerner1@comcast.net.
Best Wishes,
Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner
Foundation for Family Education (FFFE)
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