Question: Do I need to convert if I was not raised as a Jew by my Jewish mother?
Dear Rabbi,
I have not been brought up Jewish, but have always known that my mother came from a Jewish family. Over the last few years I have been drawn more and more to Judaism, and I would now like to become part of the Jewish people. I understand that, according to orthodox Judaism, one is either Jewish through the mother's line or by conversion. While there is a female line in my case, neither my mother nor her mother were practicing Jews. What documents do I need to present to joining the Jewish community. Or should I undergo conversion to Judaism?
Eli.
Answer: Dear Eli,
As long as you can prove beyond any doubt that you come from a matrilineal line of Jews, then you will be accepted as Jewish and need not worry about anything else. It does not matter what level of observance was practiced by your mother and grandmother.
Ideally one should be able to present the Ketuba, marriage contract, of one's parents showing the ceremony to have been conducted by an orthodox rabbi. In other instances the certificate of brit, circumcision, will do for boys as well. In strenuous circumstances some rabbis have been known to allow for photos of the tombstones of deceased maternal relatives which show a clear Jewish lineage or even signed affidavits from reliable and observant Jews.
If proper proof is lacking, most rabbis will want you to go through a conversion.
Best of luck,
Rabbi Ari Enkin
Ramat Beit Shemesh, Israel
